The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-06-12

| fought In new terror with those who
would urge them on. Gray, bleeding
from cut across the forehead, knock
ed down q man who brutally tore Iso-
bel out of his path. Tollemache. a
revolver in each hand. set his back
against the corner of the salon at
the foot Of the stairs.
I'm with you, captain!' he yelled.
Courtenay saw that he had conquer
ed them for the instant. He raised his
hand.
Behave like men" he cried. "You
can do no good by crowding the deck.
l am going to the bridge to see If it is
possible to lower the boats. Each
boats crew will be mustered in turn,
passengers and men alike. If you are
towards now you will throw away
what chance there is of saving your
lives"
A revolver barked twice somewhere
on deck. A bullet smashed one of the
windows of the music room and lodged
in a panel behind Courtenay. They
all heard the reports. but the captain
promptly turned the incident to adj
vantage.
"You see we mean to maintain or
der" he said. "Mr. Malcolm. take
care that every one has a life belt"
A sort of cheer came from the men.
Who could fail to believe in a leader
so cool and resourceful? He ran out
into the darkness to discover the cause
~ hn CHI A 1Ix.s ~ tNtsa
and firemen were striving to launch
boat. There was a struggle going on.
He could not distinguish friend from
foe in the melee, but he threw him
self into it fearlessly.
you fools"' he shouted. "You may
other. Make way there! All, would
your He caught the CLEAN Of ain up
lifted knife and struck savagely at the
face of the man who would have used
1t. The butt of the revolver caught the
sailor on the temple. He went down
like stone. Courtenay stumbled over
another PROSTATE body. 1t was Mr..
Boyle striving to rise. Their eyes met
in the gloom. Courtenay stopped and
swung the other clear of the fight, for
the second and third officers were
using their fists, and Walker even in
the hurry of his ascent from the stoke
hold had not let go Of spanner. The
yells and curses, the tramplings Of
dim forms swaying in the fight, the
roaring Of the gale and the incessant
crash Of heavy spray made up a ghast-
ly pandemonium. It was an orgy Of
terror, Of wild abandon, OF hopeless
striving on the edge Of the 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-
deavoring to lower a dingey. Yet Cour-
tenay saw that discipline was regain
ing its influence. He thought to in
spire confidence and stop useless saw
agery by sharp command.
"All hands follow me to starboardw
The struggle ceased instantly. The
captains order seemed to imply some
new scheme. Men who a moment ago
would have killed any one who sought
to restrain them from clearing the
boats falls now raced pellmell after
their officers. No heed was paid to
those who lay on the deck wounded or
Herein alone did these Chill
can sailors differ from wolves. and
wolves have the excuse Of fierce hun
ger when they devour 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 spar
deck" he said. Get falls and tackle |
ready to lift them to port Don't lose
your heads, men. You will all be clear |
Of the ship in ten minutes If you do as
you are told"
Two officers and quartermaster |
sprang forward. In an incredibly short |
space of time the crew were working |
with redoubled frenzy, but under con-
troll and with n common object. For |
In instant Courtenay was free to at |
end to his chief officer. He bore him |
% the lighted salon companion. Boyle |
vas deathly pale under the tan of his |
skin. The captain saw that his own
eft hand where it clasped the other
'ound the waist was covered with |
blood.
"Below therer' he cried. Bring two
men here, Mr.. Malcolm"
When the chief steward came he
rave directions that Mr.. Boyle should
)e taken to the salon and DR.. Chris
obal summoned.
Send some one you can trust TO re-
irn,' he continued. "Go then to the
e Of the promenade deck. You will
nd others there"
He did not stop to ask himself IL
,licitude for the unfortunates wound
in the fight were of any avail. His
ind was clear, the habit of COM
aa1d strong in him. Not until the sea
aimed him would he cease to rule.
he clank of pulleys, the cries of the
lilors heaving at the ropes, told him
lat the crew were at work. At last
was free to go to the bridge.
He found the quartermaster in the
lart house on his knees. When the
Zip struck, the officer of the watch
nd been thrown headlong to port.
covering his feet before a tumbling