Evening star., 1909-06-20

II
sail tumble into the bay on top OF me. But
everything held. How l managed to cling to
the bolt rope don't know; but when the sloop
got on her feet again and became steady, was
still on the boom. While such perch was easy
enough to windward of the SAIL it was mighty
precarious situation to leeward. The belly of
the canvas on its convex Side gave me no rest
ing place. had to hold on with my hands, and
they were already becoming numb with the
cold and the strain on them. My natural
thought was to go round the leach of the sail
and get to wndward; but if did Captain Rufe
would see me.
But must get inboard somehow. couldn't
hold on where | was much longer. | found that
l could just reach the lower line of the reef
points. and grasping one let 60 the leach OF
the sail. Then, slowly and with extreme labor,
| managed to reach the mast by moving my
feet along under the foot OF the sail and hang
ing to the points.
When stood at last in safety, with an arm
through one of the mast hoops, for | was well
nigh spent, l tried to think how l should con-
tinue to preserve the life had had such battle
to save | was still hidden from the Captains
view behind the sail. He thought me down in
the at the bottom of the bay, furnishing
banquet for the sturgeon, or floating about,
fee for the coroner | dared not drop to the
deck; for though l might have got away under
cover of the darkness and slipped down the
fore hatch there was no telling what moment
a rift in the thick, overhead might open and
let down the moons rays to discover me. II
the forestaysail had only hung limp, | might
have got away in its shadow; but just then
the Angel Child was quarterng enough to
fill it.
If daylight would only come, the Swede
was on deck! Either or both might afford me
some measure of protection, inasmuch as the
Captain w1ckednesS was more cunning than
furious and he would be loath to take my life
before a witness.
| ventured a glimpse aft round the huff of
the sail. The Captain had leg thrown over a
spoke in the wheel to hold her while he drew
match to light his pipe. Of truth his
science annoyed him little, or it may be that he
possessed none. The wind veering suddenly,
the sloop jibed again; this time of her own
free WILL the proper feel of her not being on the
helm.
7 DROPPED to the deck now, knowing full
well that the Captains whole attention
would be G wen to his part of the vessel. AS
the boom came over, saw him stoop to clear
up the sheet SO it would not foul; but in doing
it he got caught in blight of the parts and was
whipped overheard.
| ran aft and grabbed the wheel. Instinc-
lively eased her to the shock of the jibe, and
she filled away handsomely enough. As
turned to look for the Captain the moon broke
through the scud and | saw him dangling head
downward from the sheet midway between the
deck and the spar. The rope had taken twist
round his leg above the knee, and the strain on
it, as the sail was filled with the wind, held him
fast
He pulled himself up till he could get hold
with his hands and SO keep his head out of the
water, at the same time turning face toward
me that | could see winter than the moon
itself with terror.
My first and natural impulse was to bring the
vessel to shake and haul him abroad. But
just as | was about to roll the helm down for
that purpose the instinct of self preservation,
the strongest in man, stiffened my hand, and
held the pungy true to her course. He had
tried to take my life; why should l save hisf
So that he might murder me the moment he
reached the deck? For of that felt certain
My stomach did not scken at the thought of
a life drowned out. l had seen men die. | had
killed a man before in self defense.
A ND l conned the huff of the mainsai to see
that there was shiver in it to slacken
the sheet and free the prisoner in its blight.
But OF a force l had to turn my eyes again
toward him He still maintained his hold
the ropes. The gale held its strength, but blew
with better steadiness, giving to the helm
easier lift. The seas were following and running
high. Every third or fourth rolled up to the
Captain and made to snatch him down; but
they only combed over him, leaving him soaked
with the streaming water which, with the phos~
phorus in it, ran from him in ghostly streaks of
pale blush fire, if he was already in the hell
that awaited him.
| knew it was of no use for him to sing out
The Swede could not hear him. But | found
myself in wonder at his silence. He had made
sound since he first turned that fear whit
nd he