The bee., 1914-11-20

quick TO Go what litile she could 20
alleviate thoir discomfort. For Darcus
she fetched q pillow and blanket from
the cabin and THE one suffered her
ministrations without once rousing
from his slumbers. Then hastern
forward, she got the galley FIRE going
and prepared a makeshift breakfast
for her half-famished lover.
Warm food and hot coffee-such as
they were--lending a little tone to
Alans spirits, he was presently able
to discuss their situation with some
optimism. Yet nothing could gloss
the fact that the problem confronting
them was one whose solution bafned
their utmost ingenuity-one the simple
contemplation OF which taxed their
courage and intelligence to the ex-
treme.
He summed up: II can't see any
thing for 1t but father and Judith are
determined to have my scalp, and I'm
hanged IL can see how to protect my
self without taking leaf out of their
books. What I'm most afraid OF is
|
woman I'm defending myself against.
When a fellows fighting for his very
life he can't always stop to calculate
the weight of his blows"
The young man sighed, shook his
head, laughed uncertainty. and held
her closer to him. Don't fear; III
find some way out without injuring
either Of them. promise you that!"
He sealed the pledge upon her lips.
And in that moment of their obliv-
ion to the world from some point for
ward a muffied crash sounded stimuli
taneously with the dull shock of a
collision with a smaller vessel, and a
strange voice cried out with an ac-
cent Of high exultation.
Before either Alan or the girl could
disengage the decks rang loud with n
rush of booted feet pounding aft.
The figures OF the boarding party
we're already taking shape through the
fog as Alan sprang toward the COM
panionway to fetch the rife. And in
this action his feet slipped on planks
greasy with moisture deposited by the
surcharged atmosphere. He went down
with a stumbling thump, and an in
stant later two men fell bodily upon
him-active. strong fellows in tho
dress Of fishermen. He was suffered
to rise only as a prisoner, helpless in
the grasp of two pairs of powerful
hands.
He saw Barcus, rudely reused and
still dumb with sleepy confusion, in
no better case-jerked to his feet and
held captive by two more fishermen.
A fifth had taken charge of Rose.
clamping her wrists in the wise OF
one big hand.
The sixth and sole other member OF
the boarding party. likewise In the
rough-andready garb OF a fisherman.
was Judith Urine.
Down the side q heavy life-boat
ground its way astern. the loose end
OF its painter slipping over the rain
even as Alan caught sight Of t. $50
It seemed Barcus had guessed shrewd-
yD
Observing this. one OF the men In
charge Of Alan made as II TO leave
him to the other. addressing Judith
for permission TO prevent the loss OF
the lifeboat She stopped him with
peremptory gesture.
"No-let II go. Were better on
without It. Hold that man fast till
fetch a rope. Wen make sure of
them both this time!"
Straining forward In the grasp OF
her guard. Rose implored her sister:
Judith, In PHYS name. think what
you are doins!"
"Hold your tongue!" Judith snapped
viciously. Another whimper out OF
you. and I'll have you gagged"
The balance of her threat, though
accompanied by the exhibition of an
automatic pistol. was drowned out by
the sudden roar Of steamship fog
signal. SO close aboard that II seemed
almost to emanate from the forepart
OF the schooner herself
As II was answered by shrill and
hoarse cries OF terror or of warning
from dozen throats. Alan found him.
self released. his captors leaping for
their lives to the taffrail.
He caught an instantaneous glimpse
Of the knife-like bow of great steam
or towering above the two-master-
sweeping toward 1t at speed which
raised a smart jet OF white under the
rutwater.
Someone aboard the schooner. with
the voice OF stentor. beloved ter
rified appeal:
stop your enginesl Shut on your
propellerl Stop your"
Then. like the wrath of God. the
steamship overwhelmed the lesser
ship: its bow seemed to slice through
the schooner as knife through
cheese And the two halves were fairly
driven under water by the frightful
force OF the blow.
Thunders deafening him, Alan was
hurled bodily through the air fully
twenty feet.
When he came up he struck out ut
raudou hlinnIv tnrmantad bV the