New-York tribune., 1910-02-20


caught them
THERE he heaves," the engineer called.
watching the attempt 10 get llne aboard
the nearest dereiIct 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 was made: but
each time II failed
Herei" bawled the engineer TO the man
across from him. as he rang bell 70 the engine
room. We've got TO pull out, come around
and try again. When We get abreast III leave
YOU with the wheel. and YOU We got TO mind II
See You've got TO do It alOnel III get that
line aboard or sink herr
The man nodded and took a flrrner hold.
The Elsie 3 swung out, caught the waves IN
the trough and had another fight TO keep from
laundering, and then. answering ObedIentlv,
wore round into fresh position Down N the
stokehOle sam had taken time TO I'LL 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 as well have
been dead for al the attention that was paid
him.
Walsh leaped out 70 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 10 the wheeIhouse, demanding
that they creep IN closer and vet closer. The
man al the wheel was keeping his nerve, al
though fearing each moment that they would
&C TOO far The big engineer, with the hight Ine
COiIed IN his hand stood poised for the throw.
For what seemed a long time he waited and
then. whirllng II above ms head, sent II wrIth-
ing out like long, slender snake toward the
eagerly clutching men on the barge. It fell
short
He pulled II IN with frantic rapIditv beck0u-
ing once more 10 the wheelhOuse. and the pilot
recognizing his daring 1nsIstence. threw the
Elsie over until she threatened 70 collide and
smash
Again the line Iooped out. There were shouts
of eNultatlOn from the barges and the crew. II
had been caught Walsh beckOned madlv TO
the wheelhOuse. the bells tangled for q slow re-
verse, and the men struggled 10 gam something
to hold 70 when the next waves came. The
Elsie burrowed deeply and when she rose men
jumped 10 the new hawser which had been
dragged out and coIled They bent the lighter
line 70 the end and watched the desperate ef-
forts of the TWO men on the barge 10 draw IL
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 a cheer The ram had
stopped. and the barges We're 70 have another
chance.
WALSH hurried back 10 the wheelhouse and
yelled to the pilot. Good for vauf
You're all right Head her OUT" and took hIs
place
A man poked his head into the little IN
closure. Here" Walsh ordered Take the
wheel with this other man till ] look at Sam"
and ducHed downward ont OF sight
He came back lust as HuTd was trying TO
assume command. You keep away from
these mem he yelled into the Captain ear
' m taking the responsibility you-vou quit
ter"
And Hurd meekly subsidized
For twelve hours they fought her through