The Montgomery tribune., 1910-05-06

out the women"
The awful, sickening poise OF the
stricken boat, swinging stern-up to the
motion of the waves, was enough to
shatter the courage of any man, and
could read speechless terror In
Dade's face. Yet the lad stayed
with me, and together we clambered
up the incline of the deck, gripping at
the table TO help us. The door OF the
after-cabin was either locked or had
become stuck; l did not wait to learn
which, but burst 1t open with swift, |
heavy kick. The light streamed In
upon scene of chaos-overturned
furniture and broken glass. Celeste
lay in one corner screaming hysteric-
ally; Lady Darlington was upon her
knees, holding herself partially erect
by clasping the brass rail of the bed
Quick" cried, before either could
speak. Gather up all the warm CLOTH
ing you can reach. We must get on
deck. Here, let me help you!"
We were scarcely minute at the
task: and the four of us, laden with
apparel slid and scrambled down the
slope of cabin floor to the companions
steps. Here caught Lady Darlington
more closely to me, helping her climb
the inverted stairs. Her face was pale,
her eyes fearless.
"What is it? What has happened?"
81 hardly know myself; only that
we have hit something and are badly
| damaged"
1t was like night on deck, the en-
veloping fog so dense that a human
! form was indistinguishabe five feet
away. Fortunately but little wind
stirred, and the sea had gone down. !
could distinguish De Nova's voice as
he sang out sharp order. | followed
my hands, and hailed. A dim smudge
leaned over the rail above, and peered
down.
'Was Eat you, monsieur"
"Ay, with the women. What Is IT.,
De Nova, total smash?"
by gar, oui! ze whole bow cave In;
re deck crush to re main-hatch; re
after-bulkhead was re only sing wat
hold us up Sacre, it not hold long"
| grasped the entire situation IN
} stantly, realizing the desperate need
of haste, of cool. intelligent command
: "Send a man down here to help
Dade tote up provisions. Jump live
ly, now; get biscuits and canned
goods, my lads, and whatever blankets
, you can find. Hustle for your lives!
} Now, De Nova, reach over, and helr
( the women up-easy; that's right"
t / held tightly to my lady, clinging te
3 the rail, as crept across. The black
/. shapeless figures of several men
3 whose faces could not distinguish II
D the gloom, were clambering about thu
2 longboat.
Q Everything fitted?"
|, cay, ay, sir"
s what have you got?"
s "Oars, mast, canvas, and fresh wa
k ter"
l. l reached forward to assure mysel
O that the rudder had been properl
n shipped, and the plugs securel
= driven in.
4, "All right; here come the prov
e. sion3. Dump them in anywhere. lad
a. Yes, go back for another load, bu
sr for Gods sake hurry! De Nova, hei
l me stow the women; gently, bt
~ quickly now. Stand by, all OF yo'
/ Here is the rest Of the provende
ID Now tumble in, lads and let fall. Eas
IS. her off, ease her of, you fools!"
~ The black smudge dropped dow
d. ward, and leaning far over the sian
ing rail could see 1t strike the watt
no and ride free. The sodden, wrecks
wv hull beneath me rose and fell with
~ heavy, sickening motion which broug
N the heart up into my throat
a. "Are those all the living men le
iSt Mr.. De Noya?" called down, for Il
" first timeerealizing how few they wei
"Zey was all know"
Another voice spoke. gruff from
citement.
"The fellows for'ard had no chant
sir; all alive are here"
is swung over the side, and sh
,ur down the line into the boat.
Cast off. then. Oars, men!
rs. yacht Is going under"
With single sweep of the has
he piled blades we we're beyond sight
to the plunging hull, yet we had
taken half dozen strokes before
v.s were tossed roughly by sudden G.
.sa vulsion of the sea-
.m my God. she's gone!" shouted
s,d voice forward.
Nv All could distinguish within
~ boat were the two women next me
- the stern-Ce Celeste, with her face bur
's In her arms, and my lady staring =
80, the icy fog.
aen (To BE CONTINUED.J
eAu ----------------------