Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1909-08-14


weather oracle. "It's the kind that
rolls in fast!''
'Then, for heavens sake, let the
yacht outlet her out! Put her up to
her limit!' cried Durant There's a
life at stake, and we've got to beat
that fog" He dashed into the wheel
house and glanced at the chronometer
'Blazes" he yelled. "She isn't even
up to her average! What's the matter
down in the engine room?"
"Only one stoker, SIR" answered
Larned, considerably Disconnected
"Kline's off sick todayw
''The devil you sayr' Durant blurted
Then he commenced to shed clothing
like lightning change artist. In less
than minute there lay scattered
around a white cap, a white coat. a
collar, cuffs, necktie and various pieces
Of expensive jewelry, and Durant, get
ting the sinews Of his arms into play
as he ran. descended into the coal pits
and snatched a shovel.
The increased feeding of the firebox
had telling effect. The boilers warm
ed up, the steam gauge recorded high
err pressure, and the Wolverine cIeaved
the sullen, heavy waters with a deeper
swathe, cutting wave that spread
undulatingly and majestically broad
distance on either side of her.
There wasn't anything to interfere
with the yachts course-no other craft
in hoy, RI I11f
fet, no shoals to avoid and no channels
to keep to. All was clear sailing, and
1t would seem as though there was
nothing to check or to retard the mag
niicent floating palace from winning
in her race with the bank of fog which
But the Wolverine had never before
raced with death, and fog is PREACHER
Gus and has hidden ways Of it's own.
The stCkerS fed the furnaces as fast
and as vigorously as human beings
could work. Durant's blood fairly leap
ing with an appreciation Of the terri
flying need for effort The engineer,
almost mOtiOnlesS at his vigil at the
steam gauge, watched for the ounces
Of steam and used them dis they accu
mula ted. Those above were getting
the launch ready to lower, preparing
life lines and belts ana hauling Out
thick awsers-stout hawsers they
were, for the object being pursued was
now plainly visible, and houseboat
isn't the easiest thing in the world to
capture and take into tow.
Cant you let her out more?" Larncd
shouted down through the telephone.
There was note Of desperation in his
voice
"She's away up, sir. but I'll try tt,
give her another Iiftr' called back the
engineer. And the stOkers, realizing
the demands, redoubled their efforts al
the coal bins.
Right in the midst of the high pres.
sure and the skimming speed the sig
nal rang to slow doWn-to reduce to
the minimum-and simultaneously the
Wolverines foghorn walled out help
less, protesting blast.
Durant threw down his shovel and
leaned weakly against a pillar. He
stared hopeIessly at the engineer.
"Well, it sounds as though we're in
for it!'' broke out the engineer In petu-
liant resignation.
Then Durant climbed to the deck
and CROPPED his way forward to where
he found Larned getting into an oil
cloth sirker. The disappointment Of
both men was keen. Their manner
fully attested it.
''Did you finally make out what it
WASP Durant asked. stretching wea-
rfly to relieve his tired muscles.
"One of those good for nothing house
boats that hang along the inlets. It