Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-07-22
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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
l 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; I did not wait to learn
which. but burst 1t open with a 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!" l 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 a minute at tho
task and the four OF us. laden with
apparel. slid and scrambled down the
slope Of cabin floor to the companion.
steps. Here l caught Lady Darlington
more closely to me. helping her climb
the inverted stairs. Her face was pale.
her eyes fearless.
"What is 1t? What has happened?"
II 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 indistinguishable five feet
away. Fortunately but little wind
stirred. and the sea had gone down.
could distinguish De Nova's voice as
he sang out a 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 II.
De Nova, a total smash?"
by gar. oui! Ze whole bow cave in:
ne deck crush to re main.hatch: re
after.bulkhead was ze only sing wat
hold us up. Sacre, II 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 help
the women up-easy: that's right"
held tightly to my lady. clinging to
the rail. rs I crept across. The black.
shapeless figures of several men.
whose faces l could not distinguish In
the gloom. were clambering about the
longboat.
Everything fitted"
"Ay. ay. SIR"
What have you got?"
Oars, mast, canvas. and fresh wa
ter"
reached forward to assure myself
that the rudder had been properly
shipped. and the plugs securely
driven In.
All right: here come the provi-
sions. Dump them in anywhere. lads.
Yes. go back for another load. but
for Gods sake hurry! De Nova. help
me stow the women: gently. but
quickly now. Stand by. all Of you.
Here is the rest Of the provender.
Now tumble in. lads. and let fall. Ease
her on. ease her OF. you fools!"
The black smudge dropped down
ward. and leaning far over the slant
ing rail could see It strike the water
and ride free. The sodden. wrecked
hull beneath me rose and fell with a
heavy. sickening motion which brought
the heart up into my throat.
Are those all the living men left.
Mr.. De Nova?" l called down. for the
first time realizing how few they were.
"Zey was all / know"
Another voice spoke. gruf from ex-
element.
The fellows for'ard had no chance.
sir: all alive are here"
swung over the side. and shot
down the line into the boat.
Cast on. then. Oars, men! the
yacht Is going under"
With a single sweep OF the hastily
piled blades we were beyond sight OF
the plunging hull. yet we had not
taken half a dozen strokes before we
were tossed roughly by sudden con-
vulsion Of the sea.
My God, she's gone!" shouted a
voice forward.
All I could distinguish within the
boat were the two women next me at
the stern-Celeste. with her face buried
in her arms, and my lady staring into
the icy fog.
CTo BE coNTINUEDJ
1olstov's plea for IustIee.