The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1910-07-15

Are the lines cIeuT! Lei ucT ~
The boat was lowered and at the
right moment touched receding
wave. Captain Macpherson waited
until the chief officer called out that
they were safely away. then gave his
last order:
"And now. lads. We can be lookin' to
yourselves"
They did. The master turned and
with some difficulty made his way to-
ward the convicts' cells. Suddenly a
number of mad. ieaping human figures
issued with horrible cries from one of
the matches.
1.-THE life rafts"' Shrieking. calling
they ran about. when suddenly an
angry black wave swept the deck. A
few went overheard with the kissing
crest; several were hurled against the
bulwarks. limp. lifeless things. swirled
back and forth. One of their number.
big fellow of unusual strength. was
shot toward the open companionway
ed down he clutched at and caught the
railing. Considerably shaken. drip
ping with water. he pulled himself to-
gether. and. raising face, sodden and
fierce, like q beast brought to bay. he
looked around him. The light OF one
or two swinging lamps that had not
yet been shattered revealed dimly the
surroundings. the dark leather up
holstering. the little tables. Uncer-
tainly the convict paused; then sud
denly his eyes frightened; the lustful
anticipation of the drunkard who had
long been denied shone from his gaze
as it rested on a sideboard across the
cabin.
"Bottlesw he said. steadying himself.
Rum! Well. | guess there amt
much chance for any of us. and a
mans q fool to go to hell thirsty"
He had started toward the sideboard.
with it's bright cleaning ware and its
divers and sundry receptacles of spir-
its and liqueurs, when suddenly his
look changed and his jaw fell.
What the A flow of choice bill
lingsgate. mingled with the sailors
equally eloquent Golden Gate. COM
pleted the sentence The convict stood
stock STILL
From the door of stateroom at the
far end of the cabin q figure appeared.
A great shawl draped the small form.
The golden hair. a furry Of tangles.
floated around it. Cfinging to a brass
rail that ran along the side of the
cabin. she approached, her eyes all
alight as If we'll satisfied with some
thing. Amazed beyond power of &C.
ton. the man continued to gaze at her.
at the tiny feet in the little pink Slip
pers. at something she carried. by
the great horn spoon. the Christmas
doll"' he muttered hoarsely. Then.
forgetting his purpose. the bottles. he
lurched quickly toward her.
wat you dom here?" he demand
ed.
~ slipped out" said the child. hold
ing the rail tighter as perforce she
paused to answer. Il thought it
would take only moment"
"Slipped out?" he repeated
"Of the lifeboat. | mean. 1t was
dark. and they didn't see me. just
happened to think, and l had to do it.
If I'd told them they mightn't have let
me. 1t would have been very wicked
if I'D gone away and forgotten. Don't
you think so? And now Pm going
back. Only am afraid I've been
longer than l thought ! would be.
The door of my stateroom seemed to
stick. and was a few minutes getting
it open"
Beneath disheveied masses of thick
dark hair the british face continued
to study the fairyl like one For the
instant words seemed to fail him.
do you mean." he observed, You
come back here for that measly dicky
bird?"
ut isn't nleasfy. and it isn't a dicky
bird" she answered Indignantly. And
Ill thank You not to call it that. It's
love bird. and its name is Dearie."
"Dearie. Ho. no." The ship reeled
at dangerous angle. but the convict
appeared not to notice. His voice
rose in harsh. irresistible rough merri-
ment. "Dearie. And she thanks me
not to call it names. 1t. No bigger'n
my thumb. Ho. ho" His laughter,
strange at such a moment, died abb
ruptly. DO you know what you've
gone and done on account of what's
in that cage:" he demanded. almost
fiercely. You've got left,w
LEFT" said she blankly, shrinking
from him a little. You don't mean
Oh. ! thought would be only min
ute. They haven't really gone and
The great fingers closed Oh her arm.
They've gone. and the crews gone.
Both boats are gomez
oh" The big blue eyes widened
on him. and an inkling of. her plight
seemed to come over her. Her lips
trembled, but she held herself brave
ly. You mean we must DROWN"
The thunder of seas breaking on the
deck answered. A cascade of water
dashed down the conpanienway and
swept round them. The man benz
toward the child. Look a. that.
Now. amt ye sorry We come back?"
Il couldn't leave. ii to drownr-nas,.
n II