Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-31
CHAPTER TX.

the deck, the warliie sounds
which disturbed her rest had
~ ceased. Save for the foot
steps Of men whom she could not see,
the prevalent noises were caused only
by wind and sleet. While she was hur-
rying forward as rapidly as the dark
ness permitted, the lights were switch
ed on with suddenness that made her
gasp. The dog began to bark again,
but 1t was easy to distinguish his sharp
yelps of excitement and defiance from
the earlier notes of alarmed suspicion.
In fact, Joey himself was the first to
discover the stealthy approach of the
Indians. Courtenay and Tollemache,
who took the middle watch, from mid
night to a. m, had failed to note the
presence of several canoes on the ink
black surface of the bay until the dog
warned them by growing and ruffiing
the bristles on his back. The night
was pitch dark. The moon was not
only hidden by the hills of the island,
but frequent storms of rain and hail
rendered 1t impossible while they
ragged to see or hear beyond the dis
lance of a few feet
In all probability as the canoes bore
down from windward joey had scent
ed them. He also gave the highly i'm
portant information as to the quarter
from which attack might be expected.
Three men at least had gained the
deck, but the prompt use of a revolver
had caused them to retreat as silently
and speedily as they had appeared.
That was all. There was no actual
fight. The phantoms vanished as ST.
lently as they came. The only exter-
nal lights on the ship were the mast
head and side lights hoisted by COurte-
nay to reveal the steamers where
abOuts In case one of the boats CHANGED
to be driven into the bay during the
dark hours. There was an electric
lamp turned on in the donkey engine
room and another in the main salon
but means were taken to exclude them
from showing without. If the Indians
meant to be actively hostile, lights on
board would be more helpful to the
assailants than to the assailed
When the captain and Tollemachs
followed Joey's lead, they discerned
three demoniac figures vaguely outlined
by the ruddy glare of the port light in
the very act of climbing the rails
They fired instantly. and the naked
forms vanished Both men thought
they heard the splashing caused by the
leaping or falling of the Indians into
the sea. BY the same subdued radi
ance Courtenay made out the top of d
pole or mast sticking up close to the
ships side. He leaned over, fred 9
couple Of shots downward at random
seized the pole and dashed 1t to Q
stanchion with loose rope end, Q
remnant Of one of the awnings. A
small craft, even an Indian canoe
would be most useful, and Its capture
might tend to scare the attackers.
Telling Tollemache to mount guar,
he raced back to the saloon hatch an
summoned assistance The Other
searched the ship in small detacl
ments, but the Indians were gone.
was manifest that none beyond thos
driven off at the first onset had s,
cured footing ON deck Then, takin
the risk Of being shot at. Courtenay O
dered the lights to be turned on, an
the first person he saw clearly wa
Elsie. He was almost genuinely angr
with her.
What are You doing here?' he d,
lnanded.
She was learning not to fear hi
brusque ways. He was no carps
knight and men who carry their live