The Columbus journal., 1910-07-13

several days yet. unless the weather
became serious. Everything was made
ready. however. for a hasty escape,
and a deck-watch set.
Doris passed the greater part Of my
watch on deck with me. and as Kelly
was on the poop We were the nearest
to being alone together We had ever
been. 1t was an exceedingly dark
night. but still an awful sense of lone
illness brooding over the black waters,
the canvas forward Tapping mourn
fully. the huge rudder continually
creaking to the slap of the waves. and
faint gurgle of water sounding from
below. The dreariness of it affected
Us both, in spite CT an effort at cheer
fulness; besides. We had little to talk
about except our perilous situation.
Yet there was an acute pleasure in
thus being together. and SO she lin
gered on beside me, her eyes wander
ing from my face out into the gloom.
much of the time silent, yet content.
Finally. after urging her to 60 in out
Of the chill. took q turn forward.
even clambering up the ice hummock
to the fore peak, and testing the rise
of water with q measuring rod. As /
returned aft, where Kelly was slap
ping himself to keep warm. q light
fiaky snow began falling and soon
powdered the decks.
l did not undress. but flung myself
on the couch in the main cabin after
repleniShing the fire. and lay there
some time. staring up at the smoky
deck-beams, listening TO the slush Of
water in the lazarette, half-frightened
by the soddenness of the hulk's roll
ing. Yet my conviction that she would
keep afloat for hours yet finally lulled
me to sleep.
De Nova woke ne with a fierce grip
on the shoulder, and I started up, no.
ting the gray dawn on the front win
dows. and reading the truth in his
face before he uttered a word.
rs she gcing?"
"Oui. Oui; by gar, she sink quick"
Call all hands: get the boat clear
and ready to swing. Ill bring the
women"
The men were tumbling out as
pounded on the after state-room door
A glance through the stern-ports
brought my heart into my throat. the
crests OF the pursuing waves were so
close. Knowing that both women
would be fully dressed. I flung opel
the door and began hastily gathering
up their belongings. Within a brief
minute We were outside on the deck.
A single glance told us there was no
time TO waste. The sea ran somewhat
heavier, yet with a regular swell. the
Donna Isabel Keeling and staggering
like a drunken man. The vessel lad
sunk SO deeply that her main-chains
while her list permitted the wa
ter free entrance through The gap in I!
the port bulwarks. and flooded the !
deck. There was a desperation 10 her !
mad wallowing which made me think !
each plsnge would prove her last. ] !
swung Doris into the Stern of the long
boat. bidding her hold tight.
Now jump. mea-lively. or she'll |
20 down under Us. De Nova, john
son. tumble in and handle the ropes:
sanchez. fend off, and have an car
rsady. Now, then, tail on the rest of |
VOC, and let her go-easy. there. easy, |
Slide down the line everybody. and
east off-oars, men, oars, or she'll |
swamp US"
The dip of the chains missed US by |
he barest inch; then We swung clear.
ossed high on the creamy crest Of a
luge roller. which enabled Us 10 look
straight down on the sloping deck.
is every one here" l asked.
All but Jem Cole. sir"
Cole, where is he?"
II was johnson who answered.
We'll. all I know about it is.
hauled him out o the bunk. and shook
him wide awake. Then l left him to
% out and rout out Kelly. That's the