Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
The Shipwreckers
Continued from pope 4
Continued from page 4

The lifeboat had already sheered off, max
ing for the inlet, as though fleeing from the
imminent eruption; but neither Welsh nor
Johnson saw her. Their eyes were glued on
what was ahead, black ridge OF rock be-
yond which the big rollers flung inshore like
green capped hills in a leeway. Beyond the
rolling surf backbone of sand rose out OF
the spray like the peak of roof.
The wallowing ship bowled past the rocks
so close that they could have tossed biscuit
on them. Johnson took quick turn OF the
lashinp on the wheel and sprang back.
Nov, Tommy" he roared.
A GIANT roller lifted her high. She
"A swooped down, and they staggered,
gaspng for breath as the keel ground hor-
ribly on the bottom sand. The ship, shud-
dering like a thing in terror, gathered herself
for the final spring. With a parting shout
they leaped out of the wheelhouse from OPP
poste sides, clawing out on the wings of the
bridge. One of them at least the lifeboat
would pick up. The other
Johnson turned to look back, and Welsh,
with a final wave of the hand, ducked out of
sight Grinning broadly, the big life saver
scrambled back into the wheelhouse, just as
Welsh sprang in the other door.
"You long idiit! Putin up job on me,
was you?" Welsh yelled. "Thinkin' you'd
femme get picked up while you was standin'
by"
johnson gave roar. This time you'll
go over!"
Welsh lodged, grabbing up a piece of
timber "Git off, or I'll knock you off, he
shouted. "You big Jack in the Box!" u
Under them the ship rose again. The
the outcome of the fraternal duel. High on
the sand she struck with hideous grinding
of broken timbers. Her sharp bow plowed
through the backbone of the beach until she
hung a third of her length over the bay on
the other side. Masts and funnel went over
the side as she stopped in full career, her
broken hull balanced on the sand ridge like
a mighty seesaw.
X7ELSH and Johnson gathered them
w selves up, stunned and dazed by the
appalling catastrophe of their own making.
They were accustomed to gather their wits
quickly; but for a moment they gazed in
stupefaction, sitting on the floor of the
wheelhouse.
"She didn't blow up" Johnson said, as
one who imparts interesting information and
is trife aggrieved. Dynamite must got
wet"
Welsh's gaze wandered forward where the
crimson banner of the dynamite ship trailed
like big splash of gore among the wreckage.
eff she didn't go galley west with that bang,
she won't go up rockin to sleep here" The
after part of the ship rose and fell on the
rollers with rhythmical motion. Il amt
braggin', Johnny, only faint everybody kin
ride in dynamite ship and bust her to
smithercens on the beach without BLOWN
her up" Little Welsh added, and glanced
pridefuly over the wrecked ship.
Through the yawning seams of the deck
they could see barrels and boxes bullying
from the hold, amid cracking planks and
timbers. Under the enormous strain amid
ships the Brignola creahed and groaned like
thing in pain.
"Mebbe we better get OFF," Johnson sug-
gested They amt no use stumping her"
Welsh agreed promptly. 1t was only a
question whether to take to the surf or wait
| for the lifeboat or breeches buoy.
That's what Cap meant to do an what
he meant wigwaggin' us bout the inlet"
Little Welsh said Fetch the breeches
buoy. Well make it the sand, Johnny"
HALF blinded by the sea spray, they stunt
IL bled to their feet. Before they could
] make their way over the wreckage forward a