Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-03-06

Two days passed and on the evening of the
third keenan, noticed the mat curtains drawn in
Carew's hut. A group of natives gesticulated be-
fore the door, but none would enter. The wireless
operator pushed aside the drawn mating, wonder
ing why Carew should have closed himself In
when the slightest breath of sultry air was a
blessed relief. Carew sat in a corner of the hut
laughing. He had lighted the lamp, which added
to the almost unbearable heat of the hut.
The wireless man gasped out: What's the mat
ter? Don't you want any air? You'll suffocate."
He started to draw aside the curtains, when the
naturalist stopped him.
Don't" he said. It's cold. My leg will catch
cold"
Swiftly keenan, had him by the shoulders. and
there in the sitting room examined the wounded
leg. 1t took but a glance to not the swelling and
the comingi of the first modification around the
wound. Gangrene would set in, if it had not come
already. The end was certain death.
More brandy and water thrown on him despite
protest, brought from the naturalist the story OF
the cutting. He had used an unclean blade, and
this was the result. Both men returned to the
wireless station, keenan, helping the now fright
ened hunter Of scorpions.
A grim silence settled over them, and while
Carew sat dumbly awaiting the outcome Keenan,
thought hard.
1t was nearly midnight when the idea came.
Away out at sea, hundreds of miles, were YES
sells passing. If he could only summon one and
persuade the captain to turn in to save a life.
I'll wireless a doctor, old mani" keenan, shouted,
~joyfully %clapping the inert Carew on the shoulder.
II HdluIdllSI d w oAhoLSu " IL uibo w
ing to grasp the idea, but after he caught the
spirit his anxiety was pitiful.
But the steamship would not turn SO far" he
walled. Then he cried out: Promise them any
thing. l can pay"
His dynanlcs- running smoothly, Keenan, fn.
gered the key and the blue sparks cracked. He
repeated at intervals and waited. There was no
answering click in the receivers. Through the
night the cracking kept up while the awakened
natives and the comber hurried to the station to
watch the blue spark that snarled out into the
tropical night.
Toward morning Port Limon answered, but here
was no help. At daylight the swelling had in
creased, and with the approach Of what he be-
lieved the end the New York man became calm
n am sorry, friend" he said. but l think it's
pretty near over. We are too far from help, and,
besides, it is all impossible. No ship would turn.
1 promise not to break down again. If l do be-
come crazy and there is no hope, 1 depend on you
to-" and he nodded significantly toward his re-
volver.
keenan, did not answer. Somewhere out on the
Caribbean he knew the Santa Marta was plough
ing along, so he piled the wireless increasingly.
The answer came about nine o'clock in the
morning from the Santa Marta, which reported
her position exactly 400 miles to the southeast.
Rapid exchanges brought a refusal to turn to
Swan island. The ships surgeon, DR.. w. S. Irwin,
standing beside the wireless. said it would be use
less. And the message was sent to keenan,, who
dared not look at the doomed young man.
That seemed to to be the end for a moment.
Then there came a new sputtering in the receiver.
THE doctor says to perform the operation your
self"
How can II" the spark from Swan island ques-
toned the Santa Marta at sea.
Back came the instructions.
Get him ready" said the wireless. You have
Warren's medical book there and you can go on
the pages I mention. Describe the symptoms"
keenan, told the condition of the wound and
the circumstances but he insisted on his fears
when it came time to amputate.
mo amputation necessary" came back the mes
sage. "a lot OF cutting according to direction and
your man Is saved"