Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-11
The Daily Story

Copyrighted 1919 Literary

7 The captain had contracted a fever
| while in Bombay and was unable to
leave his cabin. Consequently Lara
way was in command One morning
the third mate came TO him with the
news that the cotton was smoldering
The first officer did not turn pale. but
he had received the shock OF his life.
He dare not even report the threatened
calamity TO the captain. The ship was
800 or GOO miles from any port. Should
the knowledge that the cargo was on
fire reach the passengers panic would
ensue. Here was a problem calculated
TO shake the strongest nerve. and one
who had but just reached the age of
manhood was called upon to meet it
Laraway went at once to inspect
the fire and made up his mind that wa
ter poured on it would only produce
smoke and steam without having any
other effect. The ship was doomed.
and that at no distant time. Directing
that the matches be as closely secured
as possible that smoke might not
cape, the young commander returned
to the deck. The morning was sunny
and the ocean comparatively calm.
number OF the passengers were play
ing that game peculiarly adapted to r
ships deck. Switchboard. Laraway
sauntered up to the party and stood
looking at the game. 1t was known
that he wns in command OF the yes
sel-the commander of a ship is al
ways an object of interest to the pas
sengers-and Laraway's overlooking
a game of Switchboard was considered
n pnnnASpnnSinn iaI ha
before had been known to leave his
post while on duty. When the game
was finished be said:
II should think you people would get
tired of Switchboard"
Tired OF it." replied n lady. Sup
pose we are; we've nothing else to do"
How would you like to take hand
at one of our ships drills?"
what drill?"
"Well. we might try taking TO the
boats. in case of collision or any other
accident, from n sinking ship"
I'm in for that" said one. and he
was followed by others.
There's n great advantage in it."
said Laraway. You see, in case OF
emergency the main difficulty is with
the passengers, and by going through
the drill, in case anything should hap
pen, you would be prepared for It."
Good idear' exclaimed one
"SplendidT said another.
Anything to break the monotonyw
remarked third
Laraway stood among them explain
ing Just how they were to proceed. He
would first give orders for the collec-
~ h.,
ready in half an hour. Meanwhile to
carry out the :dea properly let each
passenger get together such articles
from his baggage as would be needed
in case he must live for several days
in an open boat This in itself was
very important matter. When all were
ready let them come on deck. and he
would tell them off into parties to fill
the boats.
All went below except a few ladies'.
who did not seem inclined to join I'm
the drill Laraway did not urge them
to do so, though he told them that 1t
was practice for the common good.
Soon passengers began to come up the
companionway carrying various arti-
cles, some of them joking each other
on what they had selected. A thin
film OF smoke began to issue from n
forward hatch. One of the ladies ask
ed the captain what IT meant. and he
told her that the men were drying
their clothes.
When the boats were well stocked
with provisions and water and the
crew. who had been coached by the
junior officers to keep cool and say
nothing. had swung them on their
davits, Laraway filed them with pas
sengers one after another. When all
we're filed be ordered the boats low.
cred
Good gracious. captain" cried n
ady. You're not going to let us down
ntO the water, are you? Let me get
,ut."
stay where you are, madam. The
ihip is on fire and will soon be ablaze'
Scarcely any one OF the passengers
believed Laraway to be in earnest
some tried to get back on TO the deck
tut were prevented by the crew. One
Ifter another the boats were lowered
nd pushed off Then all invalids. I'm.
ludng the captain and those belong
ne TO the ship. were put in a boat:
hen the crew and. lastly. Laraway
topped in and Joined the feet below.
An hour after they had taken TO the
'oats there was an explosion. and the
essel burst into flames.
Two days later the refugees were
licked up by a passing ship and taken
afely into port.
One morning Ben Lara way appear
d at bis old home. The fame Of bis
xpioit had preceded him. and the
rhole town turned out TO do him hob-
r. Winifred Carlisle had grown TO be
fine young woman. and the lovers
omantic pledges made on the night
efore Ben ran away to sea were all
ept, even 70 his taking her as his
life on his first voyage as captain OF
ship