The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-05-03
CHAPTER xII.-(Continued.)

The other vessel was entering the
mouth of the channel, at the moment
that Coast put the helm over and
brought the Echo's green %starboard
eye into view. A mile or SO lay be-
tween them. Appleyard lifted the
hatch and opened the throttle full. be-
fore setting out the port light.
A shower OF spray swept over the
Ecbo's counter as she bucked the tide.
: "That's the stuff" said the little
man: Now they're wondering what
particular variety st darn fools We
are. Hold her as she enthusiastically"
Two throaty blasts from an auto
matte whistle 1oated down the wind.
; "What'd l tell you?" chuckled APP
pleyard. shes slowed down al
ready" he announced, although
Coast was unable to discern any
change In the speed of the nearing
craft. 1T hurts to do this" The lit
tie mar jerked the whistle lever and
educed a single. prolonged, derisive
blast. Lord! they must be cussin' a
blue streati"
BY this time the Echo had worked
we'll up into the channel, the other
vessel being about midway through.
To a second signal, a solitary blast,
Appleyard replied with two, in utter
defiance Of every rule and regulation
for the prevention of collisions at sea.
A husky shout of wrath answered this
manifestation of landlubberly foolish
ness. Appleyard responded with three
short barks of the whistle, the same
s1gnlfying what was obviously un-
true-that he had reversed his engine
and was running full-speed astern:
for at he same moment, in obedience
to his low-toned command-"Sta'-
board, starboard your helm!'-Coast
again put the wheel over and the
Echo swung smartly on her heel,
showing her port light and making
as If to cut across the others bows
at a moment when they were but a
few lengths apart.
There was an instant of suspense
rs the boats drew swiftly together.
Coast held his breath and prepared
to jump should the threatened hap
pen; 1t seemed certain that the sharp
stem OF the motor cruiser would
crash into the c~atboat's side. Even
Appleyard lost something of his GUS
tomary aplomb n betrayed the
strain upon his nerves.
sit tight-sit Tight" he whispered
between his closed teeth. Don't give
an inch-they've got to-they don't
~dare-ah-h!"
The last was a sigh of relief as the
cruiser swerved sharply in toward
Pasque, shot forward a couple of
lengths and brought up suddenly with
a churning screw-hard and fast
aground.
a moment later the Echo rounded
gracefully to port within two yards OF
her stern; and simultaneously Apple
yard, leaning far out over the comb
ing, made an exceedingly cunning
cast with a coil Of line which Coast
had laid in against the possibility OF
a broken halyard. The flying loops
settled accurately into the water, just
above the foam kicked up by the
cruisers propeller, and in another in
slant its motor stopped with a stran-
gulated gasp.
Out of the cloud of profanity that
smoked up from the cruisers cockpit
flew first one heavy spanner, then an
other. Both splashed heavily along
side the Echo. Not until they had
drawn we'll out of range did Coast and
Appleyard rise from the shelter of
he combings.
80 far, splendid" commented Ap-
.pleyarl soborly. staring asterp. II