The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-12-10

vainly straining his vision against
the blank pallor Of the sncompassing
fog, Alan wondered. worried. dreadedi
At irregular intervals. starting
from preoccupation. he would manipu-
late the brass pull on the wheel-box,
provoking the horns suffering blasts
OF protest. But the need for unremit-
ting vigilance and exercise of the fog
signal failed none the less to reconcile
Alan to that blatant clamor which 30
widely and 90 hideously advertised
their whereabouts.
II there were anything still to be
feared from Judith and her crew-h.
for instance, as Barcus had suggested,
they had sought out one Of the life
saving stations on Nanlet beach, ap-
propriated its power-driven lifeboat
and renewed the pursuit, II ever they
heard that horn there would beyond
question be the devil to pay!
The loneliness OF his vigil was even
tually relieved by the appearance on
deck of the woman Alan loved.
The tableau that greeted her vision as
she emerged from the companionway'
Of the haggard, unshaven wretch at
the wheel and the other who lay at his
feet, where he had fallen, in a stupor
Of fatigue, instantly wrung from Rose
a little cry of solicitude. And she was
quick to do what little she could to
al AnNa hal IHoAAy,,fN1k paPnna
she fetched a pillow and blanket from
the cabin, and this one suffered her
ministrations without once rousing
from his slumbers. Then Fastening
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
Alan's 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 baft1ed
their utmost ingenuity-one the simple
contemplation of which taxed their
courage and intelligence to the ex'
treme.
He summed up: Il can't see any
thing for it but father and Judith are
determined to have my scalp, and I'm
hanged If can see how to protect my
self without taking leaf out Of theil
books. What I'm most afraid OF IL
that some time l may forget it's
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 helt
her closer to him. Don't fear; IT
find some way out without injurint
either Of them. l 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 ;
collision with a smaller vessel, and {
strange voice cried out with an &C
cent Of high exultation.
Before either Alan or the girl coul'
disengage the decks rang loud with
rush of booted feet pounding aft.
The figures of the boarding part,
we're already taking shape through tn
fog as Alan sprang toward the CON
panionway to fetch the rifle. And il
this action his feet slipped on plank
greasy with moisture deposited by tn
surcharged atmosphere. He went dow
with a stumbling thump, and an ir
stant later two men fell bodily upo
him-active, strong fellows in tn
dress Of fishermen. He was suffere
to rise only as a prisoner, helpless
the grasp Of two pairs Of powerfu
hands.
He saw Barcus, rudely reused an
still dumb with sleepy confusion,
no better case-jerked to his feet an
, held captive by two more fishermen
A fifth had taken charge Of Ros,
clamping her wrists in the wise (
one big hand.
The sixth and sole other member {
q the boarding party. likewise in th
: rough-and-ready garb Of fisherman
: was Judith Trine.
Down the side a heavy life-boi
ground its way astern, the loose On
of Its painter slipping over the ra
a even as Alan caught sight of it. Is
a 1t seemed Barcus had guessed shrew
j. lyD
Observing this, one Of the men
charge of Alan made as IL to leaV
q him to the other, addressing Judi
for permission to prevent the loss
v the lifeboat She stopped him vii
g peremptory gesture.
= "No-let it go. We're better q
without it. Hold that man fast Il
\ fetch a rope. Well make sure
| them both this time!"
1 Straining forward in the grasp
/ her guard, Rose implored her siste
l Judith. in PHYS name. think WIN
you are doing!"
l Hold your tongue!" Judith snaps
viciously. Another whimper out
l you, and I'll have you gagged"
The balance Of her threat, thout
accompanied by the exhibition of {
1 automatic pistol, was drowned out
the sudden roar Of steamship 70
1 signal, so close aboard that it seem'
l almost to emanate from the forepa
i of the schooner herself.
/ AS it was answered by shrill al
hoarse cries of terror or of warnil
from a dozen throats, Alan found hi
8 self released, his captors leaping (
their lives to the taffrail.
4 He caught an instantaneous glimp
4 of the knife-like bow Of great stea'