Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1914-11-20

L VSA0I . LILO u16It0Es
Nothing" Barcus told her. 81 shut
the engine on-thats all"
Tempers were short in that hour,
and Alan was annoyed to think that
the rest of his beloved should need
lessly have been disturbed.
What did you do that fort" he de-
manded sharply.
Because jolly well wanted to-
Barcus returned in q tone as brusque.
"Oh, you did-eh?"
Eyes. did-eh! I happen to be
bossing this end of the boat and to
have sense enough to realize there's
no sense at all in our wasting fuel the
way we are-cruising nowhere!"
WELL" Law contended, struck by
the fairness of this argument, but un.
able to calm his uneasiness-"just the
same, we might" -
Yes; Of course, we might" Barcus
snapped. 1--WE might whole lot. We
might. for instance. be heading for
Spain. for all you or l know to the
contrary. And in such case. for one
respectfully prefer to have gas enough
to take US home again IL ever this
da-blessed fog lifts!"
And for several seconds longer the
stiffness strangled their spirits in its
ruthless grasp.
Then Of sudden a cry shrilled
through the fog. SO near at hand that
1t seemed scarcely more distant than
over the side:
Alloy! Help! Alloy there! Help!"
So insistent. so urgent was its &C.
cent that. coupled with. the surprise,
it brought the three as one to their
feet. all a-tremble. their eyes seeking
one another's faces, then shifting un-
easily away.
What can it be-" Rose whispered,
aghast, shrinking into Alan's ready
arm.
"A woman" Barcus put in harshly
Judith" the girl moaned.
Alan shook himself together. I'm
possible!" he contended. 81 saw her
| go down )"
THAT doesn't prove she didn't come
up" Barcus commented acidly.
Alloy! Motorboat aho-o-oy! Help!"
"And that" Barcus pursued sadly,
"just proves she did come up-blame
the luck! Alive she is, and kicking:
stand clear" An able bodied pair OF
lungs was back of that hail, my friend;
and you needn't tell me I don't know
the dulcet accents Of that angelic con-
tralto!" ~
Without needing him, Alan cupped
hands to mouth and sent an answer
ing cry ringing through the murk:
"Ahoy! Where are you? Where
awayi" q.
Thereon the acknowledgements
perishing with chill"
How does my voice bear7" Alan
called back.
What the dickens do you care?"
Barcue tnterpolated suspiciuosly.
TO port" the response rang through
the fog. "starboard your helm and
come in slowly!"
"Right-o! Half minute!" Alan re-
piled. reassuringly.
Like hell!" Mr.. Barcus muttered in
his throat as he jumped down into the
engine pit and bent over the ny.wheel.
Leaping on the forward thwart and
balancing himself perilously near the
gunwale. Alan strained his vision
vainly against the opacity Of the fog.
Cant make out anything" he
grumbled. looking back. Start her
up-but slows the word-and ware
reef!"
Nothing doing" Barcus retorted
CURLY. "The motto is now Full speed
astern! as you must know"
% come! We can't leave q woman
out therein a FIX like that"
Cant we? You watch!" Barcus
grunted malevolently. rocking the
heavy dywheel With all his might: for
the motor had turned suddenly stub
born.
"Alan!" Rose pleaded. laying hand
upon his sleeve. Think what it
means! know 1t sounds heartless Of
me-and it's my own sister. But you
know how mad she is-wild with ha-
tired and Jealousy. II you take her into
this boat. it's your life or hersi" -',.'
If We leave her out there" Alan
retorted, shaking his arm impatiently
free, its her life on our heads!"
At this juncture the motor took
charge Of the argument, ending 1t In
/, summary fashion. With . smart az.
| plosion in the cylinder. It started up
Unexpectedly. at one and the came
time almost dislocating the arm Of
Mr.. Barcus and precipitating Alan
overheard.
| Il was not given him to know what
was happening until he found himself
in the water: he struggled to the sur.
face Just In time to SEQ the bows Of
the hfeboat back away and vanish into
the mist.
CHAPTER XVI.
The leland.
Not more than twenty secon61 ronld