The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-06-25

ward the center Of the salon. She
had caught the fierce hiss Of steam.
and she was we'll aware that steam
would only be brought into use if the
Indians were endeavoring to climb the
ships sides. Not yet had it occurred
that they could possibly be on board.
Some Of our friends the enemy have
come near enough to be scalded," said
the man coolly. THAT should soon
drive them away. You are not fright
ened, l hopeT
''Not q bit. My only regret is that
am not permitted to help in the de-
Tense 1t must be irksome for you. DR..
Christobal, to be stationed here when
the ship is in danger. | am certain
you would prefer to be up there with
the Others"
Thank you for saying that | wish
you were able to read all my thoughts
as accurately"
His right hand went to the pocket in
which he had placed the revolver. The
stock appeared to have peculiar clam
miness as his fingers closed around it.
which had won him repute in his pro-
fession, he almost prayed now that it
might not fail him at the last What
a horror. to be compelled with his part
ing glance to see this bright and gra-
cious woman crumple up on the deck!
He heard ominous sounds from the
fore part Of the vessel. The revolver
shooting had ceased, for the convinc-
ing reason there were no more car
tridges. Courtenay's double barreled
gun was being fired as quickly as he
could reload it, and the sharp snap OF
one Of the rifles in the Indians posses
sion was recognizable as coming from
the poop. the remaining marksmen
having preferred to fire wildly from
their canoes. But Christobal knew that
deadly struggle was in progress on
the fore deck. Tollemache, Frascuelo
and three Chileans were engaged in a
hand to hand fight with nearly a score
Of savages. The doctor could distin-
guish the cries Of the combatants, the
irregular stamping Of boot shod feet.
He wondered why the girl, with her
acute senses, did not grasp the signifi-
canoe Of the yells and trampling on the
deck until it occurred to him, with
quick pang. that she was listening for
one voice alone. Owing to her igno-
rance Of the desperate nature Of the
conflict raging overhead she had ears
for nothing further.
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
She turned and looked at him. There
was a gravity in his eyes which star
tied her.
"Elsie," he said, "you believe in the
efficacy Of prayer, don't you? Well,
then, pray now little. shall be glad
to think when this time Of danger has
passed that we owed something to
your invocation"
It was in his mind that he must
shoot her within a few seconds, and
the immeasurable agony Of the thought
reflected itself in his face. He had no
notion that she would give his words
a more direct significance than he in
tended them to bear. But strange.
hoarse yell Of triumph, the war cry of
himself to the bridge and found it un-
defended, warned her in Ihe same mo-
ment that all was not we'll with the
defense.
She sprang toward the salon stairs.
do you hear that" she cried in
ringing voice. There are Indians on
board. Come! We must not stay here
when our friends are fighting for their
lives"
Christobal knew that this active girl
would readily outstrip him in a race to
the deck. She was already several feet
distant, but he must detain her, no
matter what the cost. If she fell into
the clutches of the ghouls then over
running the Kansas she might not be
killed, but only wounded. and her suf-
ferings would be inconceivable ere the
end came.
"You are wrong" he shouted, with
convincing vehemence, "but If you
wish to see for yourself at least allow
me to go first"
While he was speaking he ran for
ward. She thought he meant what he
said and waited for him. Then he
caught her right arm firmly in his left
hand.
"Let us wait here a moment or two"
he breatked.
mo. no! am going now. You shall
not hold me back. You don't under
stand. The man l love Is up there,
perhaps surrounded by savages. Let
me go, tell you! If he is dying l shall
die by his side! Let me go! Would
you have me strike you? She turn
ed on him like an angry goddess and
strove to wrest herself from his grip.
At that instant Tollemache and Fras-
cuelo, the only survivors Of the deadly
struggle forward, were driven back by
a rush Of Indians. They caught sight
of others leaping down the bridge com.
panion.
ITO the salon, Courtenayw roared
Tollemache, clearing a path for him
self with an iron bar which he swung
in both hands. Followed by Frascuelo,
he jumped inside the salon gangway.
Four savages followed, two entering
through the doorway behind him. One
raised hatchet-like implement and
would have Drained the Englishman
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