The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-11-11

weather oracle. "1t's the kind that
rolls in fastr'
"Then. for heavens sake, let the
yacht outlet her out! Put her up to
her limitr' cried Durant There's a
life at stake, and we've got to beat
that fogw 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 todayv
"The devil you sayv' Durant blurted.
Then he commenced to shed clothing
like lightning change artist. In less
than a minute there lay scattered
around white cap, 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 shovel.
The increased feeding of the firebOx
had telling effect The boilers warm
ed up, the steam gauge recorded high
er pressure, and the Wolverine cleaved
the sullen. heavy waters with deeper
swathe, cutting a wave that spread
undulatingly and majestically a broad
distance on either side of her
There wasn't anything to interfere
with the yachts course-no other craft
in her way, no waves to dodge or buf
fet, no shoals to avoid and no channels
to keep to. All was clear sailing, and
it would seem as though there was
nothing to check or to retard the mag
nificent tloating palace from winning
in her race with the bank Of fog which
appeared indefinite leagues beyond
But the Wolverine had never before
raced with death. and fog Is treacher-
GUS and has hidden ways Of its own.
The stokers 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 as they accu-
mulated. Those above were getting
the launch ready to lower, preparing
life lines and belts and hauling out
thick hawsers-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?" Larned
shouted down through the telephone
There was note Of desperation in his
voice.
"She's away up, sir. but I'll try to
give her another liftw called back the
engineer And the stokers. realizing
the demands, redoubled their efforts at
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. HI
stared hopelessly at the engineer.
"Well. it sounds as though we're IN
for itr' broke out the engineer in petu
liant resignation.
Then Durant climbed to the decl
and groped his way forward to wherl
he found Larned getting into an oil
cloth slicker. The disappointment o.
both men was keen. Their mannel
fully attested it.
Did you finally make out what
was?" Durant asked. stretching wea
: rily to relieve his tired muscles.
''One of those good for nothing house
: boats that hang along the inlets. I