Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-05-24
CHAPTER II.
aEssAeE TO THE ADMIRALTY.

, "HE following night Captain
 Macpherson, In his cabin. roll
 ed up carefully the chart he
 had been scanning, deposited 1t in a copper cylinder and drew from his pocket small pipe. The weather had turned nasty again; above the wind sounded loudly. Now. it descended on the ship like fierce scolding virago, then rushed on with wild. shrieking dissonance. Suddenly something happened that caused him to change his mind: abruptly hurled to the other end of the cabin. he found himself lying half stunned on the floor. A hubbub of noises filled the air-snappings. crashlngs, the rending of woodwork.
 Captain Macpherson staggered to his feet and. swaying like drunken man, stood few moments holding his hand to his brow. Then his fist clinched. and he shook 1t at the cylin- der that had fallen from the table. "Ye vigorous. lying thing!' he cried and ran from the cabin to the deck. A single glance told all: two of the ships giant spars had gone by the board; entangled in her own wreck age. the vessel thumped and pounded with ominous violence against some sunken reef. Captain Macpherson groaned.
 "Mr. O'Brienr' he called loudly.
 Aye aye. sir"
 "How long do you give herr"
 Half an hour. sir"
 The master shook his head. "She'll nae last that long,"
 Any orders. sir?" asked the chief mate.
 Captain Macpherson recovered him self: his tone became once more quick and incisive We're right; Fun gone daffy. We'll get this business over in a decorous and decent manner" A number of orders followed.
 As the chief mate disappeared to ex- ecute the commands he had received the harsh noises of the breaking ship. the seething of the sea about her. the Tapping of canvas like helpless, broken wings, was supplemented by babel of new and terrifying sounds. the screaming and cursing of the convicts below. their blasphemous shrieking to be let out! To this turmoil and uproar were added the frantic appeals and in quiries of the passengers who, more or less dressed. had hurried to the deck and who were now speaking to the master of the i'll starred vessel. He answered them briefly, What could be done would be done.
 tits question of the boats. l sup pose?" Sir Charles. one of the calmest of the ships cabin party, asked quick ly.
 ''In ten minutes they'll be ready for the launching with nae lack of water and provision. Get plenty of wraps and greatcoats It'll be bit disagree able nae doubt out yon in the wee craft"
 The boat was soon overhauled. the lockers and water butt were filled. and the passengers. one by one. set into 1t. On the whole. at that moment for leav- ing the ship their conduct left little room for criticism. One or two of the women who had appeared on the verge of mysteries now restrained audible manifestation of emotion. Sir Charles proved a monument of helpfulness. as- sisted in placing the women here and there and extended a helpful hand to Lord Ronsdale, who had become some what duzed and inert. Total darkness added to the difficulties of their task, for the moon. which until then had shone with much luster. now went be- hind curtain of cloud But Captain Macpherson coolly called out by name the men to handle the lifeboat. and with no evidence of disorder they crowded in, none too soon. AS the boat with It's human freight hung in readi- ness for the lowering the remaining spar of the Lord Nelson fell with a mighty crash.
 Remember the name of your ship, lads" Captain Macphersons voice seemed to anticipate d movement of panic among the seamen on deck; if there had been any intention to rush the already well loaded boat 1t was stayed. MT. GIlett, I'll be troubling ye for the keys to the convicts' deck. Mir. OBrien. get in and take charge. Steer southeast with bit of rag; it's your best chance to get picked up. Hold near the ship until the other boat with the crew can come along. side. It's as we'll to keep company. Are the lines clear? Let her go."
 The boat was lowered and at the right moment touched receding wave. Captain Macpherson waited antil the chief officer called out that they were safely away. then gave his last order:
 And now. lads. ye can be lookin' tc yourselves"
 They did The master turned and with some difficulty made his way to ward the conyicts' cells. Suddenly {