The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER vil.-continued.

There followed hours of s~uperhuman
struggle to save the Jeanne DArc.
Her crew. sufficient In ordinary wealth
or. vas too small to cope with the
storm and the leaking ship. Ballast
had to be shifted or flung overheard.
Repairs had to be worked necessarily.
1t transpired that the yacht had gone
far out of her course during the fog
the night before. and had tried to turn
inshure. even before the leak wa5 dis
covered. No one knew what waters
about the disabled craft. The storm
overhead had abated, but the rage OF
the sea was unquelled. Before long
the engine was stopped by the rising
water. and then the hand pumps were
used. There was some hope that the
leak had been discovered and at least
partly repaired. The captain thought
that. IL carefully managed. the yacht
might hold till daylight.
Jimmy joined the gang and worked
like a trojan. helping wherever a man
was needed, shifting ballast, untack.
ling the boats. handling the pump. 1t
was at the pump that he found himself
some time during the night, working
~endlessly, II seemed. Not once had
he lost sight of the real purpose OF his
presence ON the yacht. II Agatha Red.
mOnd were aboard the unlucky vessel
land he had moments OF curious per.
psexlty about the was there to watch
Tor her safety. He pictured her sit
t3ng somewhere In the endangered yes
eel. She could not but be terrified al
her ~predicament. Whether shipwrech
or abduction threatened her, she must
aeel that she had indeed fallen into
the hands OF her enemies. He worked
his turn at the pump. then made up his
saind to risk no further delay, but tr
search the ships cabins. She was In
ore OF them, he believed: frightened
abe must be. possibly Ill. He had
done all that the furthest stretch oa
duty could demand In assistance II
Che ship. He would find Agatha Red
mond at any cost. II she were aboart
the Jeanne Dare. Again he though
70. himself that he was glad he wa:
there. Whatever purpose her enc
mics had, he alone was on her side
no alone could do something TO Save
her.
IL was now long past midnight. but
not pitch dark either on deck or on thu
Vel The electric lights had gone out
long before. bat lanterns had beer
swung here and there from the deck
Extures. AS Jimmy came up, he
thought the men we're prepar
kng to lower the boats. but wher
no asked about 1t in his diff
ncult French, the sailor shook his
bead. There were more people about
than no supposed the yacht carried
several seamen, three or four other
xen. ard q fat woman sitting apath
stically on 4 pila OF rope. He weni
from group to group. and from end
10 end OF the yacht. looking for one
wcman's face and figure. He saw
Monsieur Chatelard, examining one oil
tho boats. He ran down the saloon
stairway. determined to search the
cabins before he gave up his quest
One moment he prayed that the words
p< Cbatelard might be true. and tina
nhe had never been aboard the yacht,
The next moment he prayed he nigh
Ind her behind the next closed door.
A. James searched below deck I
house palatial disclosed itself. even Ii
khs dim light OF the little lanterns
Cabins roomy and comfortable. fur
nishings OF exquisite taste. all hi,
pnraphernalia OF the cultured and tn,
kfch were there. Come OF the cabil
Aoors were standing open, and non,
Waa locked. Jimmy beat on them
>alled frpm rpqm "a room, nndfns
nothing. Every human occupant WI
zone. Sick st heart. he again rnshe>
~ dock Wis ~ mistaken after III
or had they hidden her III some y
4rs< pan Of re ship vhert ~ coull
0A@1 1>rzny 80 $3.50 ~ ~ 80