Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-14
are that every one has a life belt"

or the shooting. A number or sailors
and fremcn were striving to launch u
boat. There was a struggle going on.
He could not distinguish friend from
foe in the melee, but he threw him
self into it fearlcssly.
"You fools" he shouted. "You may
die soon enough without killing each
other. Make way there. All, would
you?" lie caught the gleam Of an M.
lifted knife and struck savagely at thu
face of the man who would have used
1t. The butt Of the revolver caught tn,
sailor on the temple. He went dow
like a stone. Co1rtenav stumbled over
another PROSTATE body. It was Mr..
Boyle striving TO rise. Their eyes met
In the gloom. Courtcnay stopped and
swung the other clear Of the fight, foi
the second and third officers wcra
using their fists, and Walker even IN
the bury of his ascent from the stoke.
hold had not let 70 Of a spanncr. This
wells and curses. the tramplings nc
dim forms swaying in tho fight, the
roaring Of the gale and the incessant
crash OF heavy spray made up n ghast.
ly pandemonium. It was an orgy ot
terror, of wild abandon, of hopeless
striving on the edge Of tho pit, a stupid
madness at the best, as the ships life'
boats on the port side were on the spar
deck. In their panic the men were en-.
dcavoring to lower n dingey. Yet Cour.
tenay saw that discipline was rega in.
ing its influence. He thought TO in.
spire confidence and stop useless saw.
agery by n sharp command.
".All hands follow me to starboard,'
the struggle ceased instantly. Thu
captains order seemed to imply soms
new scheme. Men who n moment acr
would have killed any one who sought
TO restrain them from clearing tha
boats falls 10 raced pellnell after
their officers. No need was paid ia
those who lay on the deck wounded o,
insensible. Herein alone did these Chill.
can sailors differ from wolves, and
wolves have the excuse Of fierce hun.
ger when they deyour their disabled
fellows.
Still carrying Boyle, Courtenay led
the confused horde through a gang.
way to the higher side of the deck.
Swing those boats back to the span
deck he said. Get falls and tackls
ready to lift them to port. Don't loss
your heads, men. You will all he clear
OF the ship in ten minutes IL you do as
you are told"
Two officers and a quartermaster
sprang forward. In an incredibly short
space of time the crew we're workinS
with redoubled frenzy. but under con.
troll and with a common object. Foe
an instant Courtenay was free to at.
tend to his chief officer. He bore him
!, to the lighted salon companion. Boyle
t was dcathly pale under the tan Of hiA
] skin. The captain saw that his own
left hand where 1t clasped the other
round the waist was covered with
blood.
, Below there be cried. Bring two
men here. Mr.. Malcolm
= When the chief steward came he
gave directions that Mr.. Boyle should.
, be taken to the salon and Dr.. Chris
: tobal summoned.
Send some one you can trust to re-
; turn" he continued. go then to tie
) lee of the promenade deck. You will
: find others there"
He did not stop TO ask himself IL
[ solicitude for the unfortunatcs wound.
! ed in the fight were of any avail. His
mind was clear, the habit Of COM
mand strong in him. Not until the sea
( claimed him would he cease TO rule.
; The clank of pulleys, the cries Of the
sailors heaying at the ropes, tod him
. that the crew were at work. At last
he was free TO 20 to the bridge.
He found the quartermaster in thu
, chart house on his knees, When tina
ship struck. the officer of the watch
had been thrown headlong to port.
sea could fling him overheard. he haul
ed himself out Of danger just in time
t to take part in the fray on deck. He
came back now. hurrying to join the
! captain. Courtcnay, standing in the
{ shelter OF the chart house, was peer.
l ing through the flying scud to leeward.
= The sea was darker there than it had
!, been for hours. Around the ship the
surface was milklike with foam, but
beyond the area OF the Shoal there
seemed to be a remot chance for Z
boat to live.
. We're on a sort of breakwater, sir"
said the second officer.
Seems like il, Is the ship hard and
Z FAST
! Il an afraid So"
81 think the weather is moderating
&c and see how the barometer stands"
STEADY Improvement, sir" came the
report.
ANY water coming in?'
+ "Mr. Walker said he thought not"
. Perhaps it doesn't matter. Try 10
get the first lifeboat lowered. Let hei
carry as many extra hands as possible.
We have lost two boats. But do moi
send any wone in her. II all is well
let them go in the next one. Take
n charge of her yourself"
Would Won mine tying this hand
kerchief tightly just here, siri'
The second officer held out his left
forearm.
"Were You knitted, too" asked Cour'
tenay.
u at is not much, but | am losing a
y good deal of blood"
: The brutes &C., the unreasonable