Mower County transcript., 1908-11-04

captain hurriedly came down the
stairs.
"Why doesn't he hurry?" snapped
the officer.
II can't arouse him." said Jerry.
Seems to be sick, the way he groans
and moans."
The captain went into the room and
redoubled Jerry's efforts to awaken
the man. Only more groans came
from the engineer, and, with string
of oaths that would shock the most
hardened senses, the captain called out
to Mike:
whats the matter with this fel-
low"
II don't know" answered Mike II
heard him groaning a while ago, but
guessed he was only havin' mean
Dreams"
The officer thought hard for mo-
ment and then said to Mike: "You
will run the launch in for US. Be ready
in Is minutes" Turning to Jerry,
he growled: "There'll not be room for
you in the launch. You will wait until
daylight" Then he hastened to the
deck
What shall I do? What shall do?"
cried Jerry, wringing his hands.
'You heard the captain"
But I must get in-to-night She
may get away from you"
Then, you'll have to make up q
load and SWIM"
It'll do that! will, so help"
"You don't mean that, Tommy" said
the surprised Mike, dropping bis
chamois skin to the floor.
II mean it II ever meant a thing
In my life. I can drop of and splash
in some way. I'll make out fog the
nearest"
Tommy F1anhery, your life would
not be worth tin cints. It's far enough
for an expert in the daytime, and there
amt man that would attempt it at
night"
There is one mani" cried the des.
perate Jerry.
do you really mean to try it,"
II do"
"Then grab off one of those preserv-
ers over there. It'll keep you afoat
In case your legs give out, anyway"
Jerry took cork preserver from q
hook and hid it near the ladder, re-
turning Immediately to Mike, who was
preparing to report to the captain.
I'LL keep my eye on them as long
as I can, Tommy" said Mike, as he
took Jerry's trembling hand. If you
ever get in, wait for me at the far end
O the pier, no matter how long am
gone. And God help you!".
Before Jerry could give expression
to his 1umbled thoughts Mike O'Con-
nor was moving .briskly towards the
stairs. Jerry then fastened the pre-
server to the top of the ladder. When
he reached the forward part of the
deck he was surprised to find that Ma
r1na and the strange woman already
had gone down the side of the boat
to the launch, and Mike was just STEP
ping into the little boat. A minute
or so later the launch was moving off
In the darkness.
Jerry started away from the cap
tain so abruptly and with such ap-
parent excitement that the officer
called him to halt.
You seem to me in a great hurry
to reach Shore" said the captain.
my poor brother, my poor brother!"
walled Jerry. IF there only had been
room in that launch could have
"Your poor brother must wait till
morning" said tho captain, very de.
terminedly.
Jerry, utterly unable to control him
self, tugged to get away, and his ac-
tions thoroughly aroused the officers
suspicious. He succeeded in breaking
loose, and Immediately started madly
towards the stern, the other in hot
pursuit. Just as he reached the end
of the cabin the infuriated captain
threw his arms around him, and
brought his hands to his throat in an
attempt to strangle him into submis-
sion. BY an almost superhuman ef-
fort Jerry broke away from the tight
ening grip and hurled himself at the
other with the ferocity of maddened
beast. The two grappled for minute,
the officer trying to cry out for help,
and then fell to the deck. The officer
was a big, powerful man, but he was
no match for the desperate Jerry, who,
after they had rolled over and over
several times, succeeded in freeing
himself. He was on his feet only an
instant before the other, but the ad-
vantage gained was sufficient Before
the captain could protect himself Jer.
rvs big fist crashed to his jaw and
he sank to the deck unconscious.
Without waiting to see what effect
the blow had had, Jerry was at the
hatchway snatching the life preseryer
from it's fastening. "A moment later,
after casting q final glance at the still
body Of the officer. he climbed over