The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-09-25
Bv CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY
Copyright. 1912. BY cyru. Townsend Grad,

Cyrus Townssnd Grad,
, enough to support life. and I thought
that detected green patches here and
there that betokened vegetation and. II
so. water and life.
Nobody took any care to strike the
bells. but when darkness fell | declar'
ed noisily that would 60 below and
turn in All but the most seasoned
| and hardy drinkers were by this time
dead drunk. There was evidently
pome little remembrance Of my rank,
for no one yet conscious made any OBJ
lection. Pimball, lying supine on the
deck, and Glibby, who was In no better
rase, with drunken effusiveness assur-
I'd me that they would take care Of the
ship, and l went below, having provid-
ed all Of them with a fresh supply Of
drink just before.
sometimes wonder If l would not
have been justified in killing them all
while they were rendered thus help
less. But l could not bring myself to
such wholesale murder, richly as they
deserved it and little as l was inclined
to mercy. also thought Of clapping
them in irons and slowing them below.
But there were not irons enough aboard
for that purpose. and Mistress Lucy
and could not work the ship unaided.
I'VE could not even feed and water our
prisoners. Yet If could have counted
on three or four true mems assistance
I would have risked it.
How Mistress Lucy had passed the
dragging, anxious hours of that awful
day you can better imagine than can
describe. And my occasional visits
had scarcely treasured her greatly.
Yet In an emergency l have never
known q woman who had more spirit.
She had left her noon meal practical
~ untouched. and she was sitting there
In the cabin nervously clutching the
pistol. frightened half to death. Poor
girl! don't blame her. Whatever
may have been the cause OF It. she was
genuinely glad to see me when came
/ In and lighted the cabin lanterns.
"Oh," she cried, II have been In
agony the whole day. Every sound
has caused me to seize this weapon.
and when l have not been watching
the door l have been on my knees
praying for you and for myself. ! do
not think can stand another day like
this"
"Please God. dear. lady, you shall
not" l said. smiling reassuringly at
her.
"What do you mean? Have you a
plan?"
IL have. The men are all drunk.
am going to leave the ship and take
you with me-"
But hOw-when?"
For answer l threw open the stern
window of her cabin. On level with
1t swung a small boat, whaleboat.
Now l had taken occasion during the
day to lower that boat little by little,
a few inches at time and then a few
inches at another time. as had op.
portunity to get near the falls and to
manipulate them unobserved. but
had brought it down to the level Of the
cast of, and had no doubt, If condi-
tons on deck were as expected them,
I could lower it all the way later with
impunity. .". -
what do you mean?" she asked.
| staring out Of the window and into
the empty boat.
II mean that you and are going to
embark in that boat tonight and leave
this ship"
But where are we going?"
There is land not league and q
half under our lee. It seems to be the
most easterly of a cluster Of Islands"
lis It the island we seek, do you
thinkT'
I'VE are in exactly the latitude and
the longitude Of the chart II my calcu-
lations are correct"
THE island was uninhabited when
my ancestor was cast away upon it"
YES" said l. 'but there may be ma.
lives there now, but no savages of the
south seas could be more cruel and
ruthless than the men on this ship"
LET US go" she said. shuddering.
what Is your plan r.
Il want you to dress yourself in your
stoutest clothes. with your heaviest
shoes, wrap yourself up In boat cloak
and take with you q change Of clothes
and some hEw necessaries for your
comfort ! will 90 and rummage the
lasarette for provisions, ana I viii go
e I can turn up any more Meappns n