Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

Elsie B over into the walow of the sea.
She took the waves heavily, threatening to
go to the bottom, and then, shuddering, faced
back toward the surging barges. The man in
the corner lay quite still; but neither of those
at the wheel paid the slightest heed to his con-
dition. With full speed the Elsie B had turned
back. Walsh's helper wondered when he was
going to give half-speed bell. They swung to
leeward of the last barge in wide curve before
his hand reached for the signals. Instantly
they were obeyed. He nodded triumphantly,
as if asserting to the man opposite that man,
"nigger" though he was, would be on hand to
answer. Already, careless of discipline, the
tugs crew had crowded into the background
One of them had lifted the Captain to sitting
posture, from which, white and weak, he stared
at the man who, by all rules of the three-mile
limit, was mutineer: but he dared not expos
tulate. The Gutter had become master!
"Herel" Walsh called, turning his head
toward the wild eyed crew. lone of you fell
lows who can throw line stand by to get a
small one over to the head scow. The rest of
you get out new hawser and stand ready.
Get move on you'll Don't loll there like a pack
of idiots! You don't want to see those fellows
out there go down, do yous'
The helper at the wheel wondered at his
daring. He had never before taken a single
screw tug so close to wallowing barge in such
storm. Now they slowed down to mere head
way bobbing up and down as each wave
caught them
Exc ne nedVeS! the engineer CdHeo,
watching the attempt to get line aboard
the nearest derelict, where two men, desperate
but lifted from despair by the tugs return.
stood in waiting. And then Good Lord!
He fell short!'
Again and again the attempt made: but
"Here!" bawled the engineer to the man
| across from him, as he rang bell to the engine
| room. We've got to pull out, come around,
and try again. When we get abreast I'll leave
TO ~
Seer You've got to do it alone! I'll get that
line aboard or sink her"
The man nodded and took firmer hold.
The Elsie swung out, caught the waves IN
the trough. and had another fight to keep from
laundering, and then, answering obediently,
wore round into fresh position Down IN the
stokehole Sam had taken time to fill his fur
naces, and, set faced, was again standing by his
levers and valves. In the corner of the wheel
house Hurd, weak and whipped sat idly, afraid
to speak or interfere. He might well have
been dead for all the attention that was paid
him.
Walsh leaped out to the swinging bow of the
tug. needless of the wash of waves that slapped
across the Elsie when she could not ride them.
He beckoned up to the wheelhouse, demanding
that they creep in closer and yet closer. The
man at the wheel was keeping his nerve, al
though fearing each moment that they would
90 too far The big engineer with the light line
coied in his hand stood poised for the throw.
For what seemed long time he waited, and
then, whrling it above his head, sent it with
ing out like long. slender snake toward the
eagerly clutching men on the barge 1t fell
short!
He pulled it in with frantic rapidity, beckon-
ing once more to the wheelhouse, and the pilot.
recognizing his daring insistence. threw the
Elsie over until she threatened to collide and
smash.
Again the line looped out There were shouts
| of exultation from the barges and the crew. 1t
| had been caught! Walsh beckoned madly to
| the wheelhouse, the bells tangled for slow re-
verse. and the men struggled to gain something
to hold to when the next waves came The
| Elsie burrowed deeply, and when she rose men
| jumped to the new hawser which had been
dragged out and coiled. They bent the lighter
| line to the end and watched the desperate eff
| forts of the two men on the barge to draw it
| aboard, wondering whether their strength
| would suffice. Slowly it crept on over the short
distance. The Elsie was drifting dangerously
close. Again Walsh beckoned, and she started
slowly out and halted. The new line was fast,
| and once more there was cheeri The rain had
| stopped, and the barges were to have another
chance.
WALSH hurried back to the wheelhouse and
W yelled to the pilot, Good for you
You're all right! Head her out!" and took his
place.
| man poked his head into the little in
closure "Herel" Walsh ordered. Take the
wheel with this other man till look at Sam!"
and ducked downward out of sight.
He hacl yIcf IN