The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-04-09

CHAPTER SxvIII.

clear. but with mist slowly gather.
ing in the south that seemed to threat.
en- change. observed Just before sun.
set that this fog had SO thickened and
spread as to obscure nearly third OF
the sky, and yet there was no veering
Of the wind or noticeable increase in
the roll Of the sea. The hulk was
sinking, yet so slowly that we were
only certain Of the fact through con.
slant measurements and the sight OF
water seeplng In through the numer.
Gus cracks revealed by the disap-
pearing ice. 1t was a situation to get
upon the nerves. yet do not remem-
Der that It Occasioned any great
change in the routine OF our life on
board.
The negro Cole acted as though he
had lost his mind, entirely. and after
studying him awhile l concluded TO
let him do as he pleased. He ate
breakfast with the rest Of 49, but with
out speaking, and afterward, when we
left the table, picked up the clcaver
and made directly for the laZarettc.
called to him, but he merely rolled his
eyes up at me from the blackness he.
low and disappeared, the icy water
slushing underfoot. We soon heard
him vigorously slashing away at the
Ice, mHtteriHg constantly 10 himself
! went part way down the ladder. with
candle In my hand. whence could
a. a.,
hole the men had excavated In the
Ice, though he paid no attention TO my
call. The water was fully six inches
deep over the lazarettc deck. splash
ing back and forth as the vessel
rolled, and could see drops Of sea.
water squeezing in through the sides
OF her and dripping steadily down.
There was nothing to do but leave the
fellow alone, so after telling Dade 10
look down the ladder once in a while
and keep an eye on him | Joined the
others on deck.
Gone clear nutty," commented Nc
Knight, tapping his head. "Thc very
sight O them yellow boys was too
much for him."
81 only hope it wasn't my blow"
said soberly
"Blow-hell! Why. that crack never
hurt his skull, Mr. Stephens. The
fellow was plumb crazy as soon as the
box was open. He never thought there
was so much money In the world
Why. you ought to "a heard him tel:
OF the junk he was goln' to buy when
he got his share back 10 the States.
Oh, he'll come out of his dream all
right II we only let him alone for
day or So"
So we left him down there alone.
pegging away in the dark. He came
up, however, at the call for dinner.
eating away heartily without utterIug
word and going back to his solitary
labor, paying not the slightest heed
to any Of us, When night came COM
PEELED him to remove his icy trousers
and boots and lie down in one Of the
hunks. When looked In few min
utes later he was sound asleep.
T That the wreck was slowly settling
down under us was beyond doubt. and
laden with ice as she was the sodden
hull would probably drop at last like q
stone. The thickening sky to the south.
ward made me exceedingly anxious:
and Just before dark we talked the
conditions over together, each man
having his say. The decision was to
remain on board, all alike believing
the Donna Isabel would keep ahoat
several days yet, unless the weather
became serious. Everything was made
ready, however. for hasty escape,
and a deck-watch set.
Doris passed the greater part Of my
watch on deck with me, and as Kelly
was on the poop we were the nearest
to being alone together We had ever
been. 1t was an exceedingly dark
night, but stili an awful sense OF lone
illness broodlng over the black waters,
the canvas forward Tapping mourn
fully, the huge rudder continually
creaking to the slap OF the waves. and
a faint gurgle OF water sounding from
below. The dreariness Of It affected
US both. in spite of an effort at cheer.
fulnesS; besides, we had little to talk
about except our periIous situation.
Yet there was an acute pleasure in
thus being together, and so she lin
gered on beside me. her eyes wander.
ing from my face out into the gloom.
much Of the time silent. yet content
Finally, after urging her to go in out
of the chill. l took a turn forward.
even clambering up the ice hummock
to the fore peak, and testing the rise
Of water with a measuring rod. As /
returned aft, where Kelly was slap.
ping himself to keep warm. light
faky snow began falling and soon
powdered the decks.
did not undress, but flung myself
on the couch In the main cabin after
replenlshinE the fire, and lay there
some time, staring up at the smoky
deckbeams. listening TO the slush OF
water In the lazarette, halrfrlghtened
by the soddenness OF the hulk's roll.
ing. Yet my conviction that she would
keep anoat for hours yet finally Iulled
me to sleep,
Z, De Nova woke me with fierce grip
on the shoulder. and ! started up, no.
ting the gray dawn on the front win.