Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-24
CHAPTER XXI.
In whIch..Love Speaks.

mo one uLLore0 sound after tOAt
Qrst wild cry. We sat there stunned
into silence by the horror of the sit
uation, every eye staring blindly In
to the mist, the long-boat tossing like
. chip on the swell caused by the en-
guldng Of the yacht. The crippled Sea
Queen had evidently gone down like
. shot. Twice endeavored to speak,
but something choked me, and my
voice failed. I reached down into my
pocket, held close to my eyes the
small compass always carried, and
swung the boats head northward.
Even this slight effort at action gave
me back some measure of self-con-
troll.
You had better step the mast, Mr.
De Nova. and get out what canvas you
can spread. There is not much wind,
but we'll make the best Of what little
there Isl
They went at the task as though
glad to have work given them, but I
could see nothing but the dim out
lines of their forms.
bent down toward Lady Darling
, ton; she glanced around and directly
into my eyes.
care you warm enough?"
"Oh,' yes; but-but / hardly know
how am This has come 80 sudden
~. III am not frightened, but dazed,
Mortified. Were all the others on board
drowned?"
'They must have been. will ques-
ton the men in moment. Only beg
Of you do not permit your courage to
give way"
She rested her hand upon my knee.
you need not fear for me-" she said
firmly. II will not fail you"
The mainsail bellied out, catching
whatever breeze there was, the boom
swinging free and the long-boat lean
ing well over, as It leaped forward In
to the fog. The swift motion brought
new heart to all Of us.
Pass back the provisions. lads, and
we'll stow them away here in the
atern-lockers."
This task required only few mo
ments, and when 1t was completed
was able to discern the mate. seated
next to Celeste.
Now tell me Just what occurred
Mr. De Nova" said. What was II
I'VE bumped into,-an iceberg?"
Sat was it, monsieur. You saw how
he eok lay. BY gar, l not see re TO-
.c'stlsz from re bridge for more as four
hour. We rup at half-speed wen you
went below. sacre, wat else was
dare? know you much tired, an SO
stand re watch for six hour. By gar
my eyes burn tryin' to see somesing
Zen l send down for you to be call
Pretty soon l leave Larsen on re
bridge. an start aft to see wy you
mot come more quick. 1 get most te
Ee companion, when bang! we hit ze
iceberg! Eat all know for re mex
minute, only zare be hell for'ard, an
.ze ship up on end"
"Is that all you can tell? Is there
any one else here able to explain?"
well sir" said deep rumblinl
voice forward, Il was just aft O. the
main-hatch when the rumpus hap
pened, a-hSngin on to lifeline.
couldn't see much, but figure it GU,
like this. We hit big berg bows on;
a lot O. ice caved OF on US, an
smashed in the for'ard deck like 1t was
paper, crushin' down everything al
fur aft as the engine-room. Both boil
'ers blew up, an then nothin' held the
stern in the air but the after bulk
I head. When that finally gave way the
oil hooker dropped to Davy Jones
There wasn't man ahead O. the main
hatch that had q chance even to rur
TO- it."
caught my breath. feeling shive
shake me.
II am unable to make out who ar,
On board" said at last. Name your
selves, beginning at the bow"
"Jem Cole, sir" 1t was the voice o
the negro.
Next. Speak up. men!"
y johnson"
"Kelly."
"McKnight.s
"Dade." ~
Sanchez"
There was pause. the last voic'
sounding just abaft the mastbutt.
IL that all?"
That's all, SIR"
with De Nova, myself, and tn,
two women 1t makes the count ten
Well, we sha'n't be crowded for room
This is going to be a hard cruise, lads
but we'll make a stin fight for II
We're sailors. with a stanch boat un
y der us, and chance to win out"
There was faint cheer, rumbi;ls
as Il It had caught in their threats
and the negro asked:
How much of run is it, boss?"
II am unable to tell you, Cole"
answered, endeayoring to make m,
voice sound hopeful, because hav'
not had any observation for thre
days. There il no use lying to 20,
= fellows There Ii mighty lonl
stretch between US and any land WORT
trying after. We are out Of the tract
Of ships. and our only hope is to keel
the long-boat right side UP, and get GU
Of her all the speed possible. Two o
you stand by to watch the running
gear: the others had better lie dow,
and get some sleep while the wind i
Hight Turn in with them. De Nova
You viii have to relieve me a& the I'll
Ter later"
The breeze perceptibly freshened
but not sufhcie4tly to require any reet
ing Of canvas, and the fog began drift
ing away like = great white cloud
leaving revealed tho vista Of cold gra,