Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-12-26
copyright. 1913. by W. c. Chapman,

30 ni.a' LOU We na0 too much cham
payne"
me ship was rolling heavily in the
trough OF the seas. It was the end OF
the tenth day; on the next we might
look Tor land. AS / turned into nv
cabin / fancied that / smelled smoke
out | was dog tired from the long
play, and must have undressed and
tumDled into bed without knowing
what was doing, for the next thing
That remembered, after turning the
handle OF our door, was hearing the
sound of hurrying feet above U.S. The
next minute Nikolai was shaking me
by the shoulder.
Wake up" he cried. "The ships
af1re."
! sprang to my feet in panic. and as
did so l heard confused cries and
shouting outside; then screams of wo-
men Weakened from sleep by that most
dreadful OF sea tragedies. AS T
opened the door a cloud OF acrid
smoke rushed in. Nikolai closed the
door and restrained me with one
hand
Take your time, Summers" he
said. It's still below decks; there's
plenty OF time. They aren't even get
ting out the lifeboats YET
dressed In hurry threw my over
coat over me and FASTENED out with
my companion. We had to fight our
way through the smoke, and the floors
were noticeably warm beneath our
feet. On the deckI cannoned into Sir
julius.
What shall / do?" he whimpered,
clutching at my arm, and saw that
his face was gray with fear 8"The
ships afire. We shall all be drowned"
There's plenty of water to put it
out" said Nikolai sardonically, look
ing down at the heaving sea. "By the
way, where are those diamonds, Rob-
inson?"
They're here gasped the million
aire, placing one pudgy hand upon his
breast. I'll give you all if you will
save my 1ife." He had nothing over his
pajamas but a long macintosh, COW
ering him from throat to knees, and
carpet slippers. At his side stood Van
Aam, perfectly cool and collected,
smoking cigar. He was as spruce
as though he had just dressed for din
ner. All around US women were hud-
died upon the deck; beneath us the
steerage passengers kept up a con-
slant outcry. The officers were guard
Ing the lifeboats-which were being
provisioned. From the afterhatch a
dense black cloud rolled up.
your first visit to the States?" said
Van Aam to me, coolly. Yes? You'll
enjoy these parts. / own an interest
in summer hotel on one of the Geor-
gian islands We can't be far from
shore. Look at Sir Julius!'
Il thought you were South Afri-
can" said.
Il am" he answered. But I've
spent several summers in America of
late, and Sir Julius is coming for the
first time under my escort. By Joye,
look at Miss Boyd"
saw Mary Boyd descending the
gangway. She was completely dressed.
and, save that her hair was unfastened,
she might have been preparing to go
ashore at port AS she passed us,
calm enough in the face of the ever
increasing danger, heard Nikolai say
to the millionaire:
"You will give all your diamonds if
save your life?"
Eyes, yes" cried the millionaire.
who was leaning, with sea-sick ex-
preston, against the rail- enViously
watching the nearest lifeboat. How
can you do it? Can't you get me a
special lifeboat, with crew, and
come with me? We four-and my
man. Surely the captain will do that
fer me-"
Nikolai took him by the shoulder
and shook him as a terrier shakes
rat.
You hound." he roared. DO you
want to leave the rest to perish? Do
you think man will enter the boats
before the women are safe? Robin
son." he continued, more kindly, our
chances are desperate ones. Do
Just act before you die; restore those
diamonds to Miss Boyd
looked round. Mary was standing
quietly beside me.
'But how do you know we won't
be saved after alp asked Julius cum
ningly. "The law can't touch me.
my poor fellow, there are otner
kins.s of laws where you are going,
Nikolai answered. And even as the
words left his lips there came roar
ing sound, a squirt of flame. and the
afterhatch disappeared in a geyser OF
fire.
aAll hands man the boats! roared
the captain: fifty sailors sprang Tor
ward and began to swing the boats
free from their lashings. There was
a universal cry; men started forward
the officers drew their revolvers ana
the towards skunk back again.
Let him keep his stones !, aalo
Mary with quiet contempt. ! have
no need for that sort OF restitution.
sBut II he gives them freely Pc
gan Nikolai
II win not take his gifts.