The state herald., 1913-05-02
CHAPTER VIII.

On the Brssst Of the Sea.
"Can you keep anoat in this rough
ness?"
II think so, now that I have the
life preserver. But the rope scared
me for minute It got wound about
my feet"
II thought 80. But we are drifting
away from the boats, and should swim
back as fast as we can. Can you
swim?"
YES: better when get rid Of this
cloak. Which way is the yacht7 I've
lost my bearings"
Behind US over there. Put your
hand on my shoulder and I'll take
you along until you get your breath
Sol"
The girl obeyed implicitly. ''as II
she were a good. biddable child"
thought Jim. There was none Of the
terrified clutching at rescuer which
stead Of one Miss Redmond was
badly shocked. It may be: but she
was far from being in a panic.
Now for the boat Can you swim
a little faster7 They'll surely come
back to pick US up" said Jim. with
an assumption of confidence that he
did not feel. They could hear voices
from the yacht. and could follow. par
TALLY. what was going on. Miss Red
mond cast loose her cloak. put hand
on Jims shoulder. and together they
swan nearer "Ahoy!" shouted Jim.
Give us hand!" But the boat with
the large woman In It had put about
to the other side OF the yacht.
"Ahoy! This way!" shouted Jim.
Throw us rope!" he cried; but II
any of the seamen of the Jeanne
D'Arc heard. they paid no heed.
Come this way" said Jim to his
companion. We'll catch them on the
other side OF the yacht"
II can't swim much In all these
clothes" said Agatha.
Never mind. then. Hold on to the
life preserver and to me. and wen
make It all right" On the crests
OF the swelling waves they swan
round the dark hulk OF the vessel, and
heard plainly the ciamor OF the men
as they embarked in the small boats.
Two OF them seemed to be fastened
together. raftlike. on the starboard
side Of the yacht. and were quickly
Allied with men Prayers and curses
were audible. with the loose. wild In
fiexion OF the man who is in the
clutch OF an overmastering fear. As
long ms there had been work for them
to do on the ship. they had done II.
though sullenly: they had even con
trolled themselves until the attempt
was made to place the two women
In safety. But after that their self
restraint vanished. The orders OF the
officers were unheeded: the men
leaped and scrambled and slid into
tho boats. and In minute more they
had cut loose from the Jeanne Dare.
James dimly perceived that tho
boats were moving away from them
into the darkness Then he called.
and called again. redoubling his speed
IN swimming: but only the beat OF
The heart In him stood still with nn
unacknowledged fear, Was It possible
they were absolutely leaving them be.
hind7 Surely there were other boats.
He raised his voice and called again
and again. Al last one voice. careless
and brutal. called back something In
reply. Jim turned questioning eyes
to the girl beside him.. whose pale
face was disccrniblo on tho dark wa.
ter.
"He says the boats nro nll full"
Then We must hurry and make for
tsc yacht. Where Ia she7"
Use Jeanne dare had slipped AWAY
from them into the darkness.
"she was this way. thought. Yes.
! am sure. aaid Agatha. pointing into
the night But though they swan that
way, they did not come upon her
They turned little. and thon turned
again. and presently they lost overy
sense OF direction.
In all HIS life Jim was never again
destined to no through no black an
hour nm that which followed tho aban.
donmont OF the Jeanne Dare. His
courng, left him. and his spirit sank
to that icndcn. choking abyss where
lights did not exist Since tho I'm.
mediate object OF saving tho ship. for
which he had worked aa hard mn any
other. had been given up. the next In
Importance was TO save tho woman
who. for pomc mysterious reason. had
been aboard II was beyond bin pow.
or OF imagination 10 nupponc that any
other motive OF action could possibly
prevail. even among her enemies
That they should leave her TO drown.
while they themselves 1od TO coin.
paratiyo safety In boat. was more
than ho could believe.