The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-10-15

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Putting Every Ounce Of Strength Into
the Blow, Struck.
and began to explore with one nano-
Apparently he touched something
strange-the edge Of her skirt 1t must
have been, for there was bit OF cloth
In the lifted fingers. Noiselessly l
arose to my feet planting myself firm
ly on the wet deck. There was but
one means Of escape now, and, big as
the fellow was, l must accept the
chance Another minute would mean
discovery. and his bull voice would
roar the length of the ship. He mel
Their saw nor heard me, his whole at
tention concentrated on the boat
Without warning. putting every ounce
of strength into the blow. l struck.
landing square on the chin. There was
a smothered groan, and he collapsed.
hurled back bodily, his arms flung up.
I heard him thud against the rail. his
great form bending to the shock. and
then he went over, whirling through
the air.
What is itY' she asked. her voice
barely audible. What has happenedw
Her voice seemed to recall me in
stantly, to restore my numbed facui-
ties.
why, really I hardly know 1 an
swered, yet stepping back to grip the
ropes. The fellow had hold of your
dress, didn't he?"
Yes. Oh. was 80 frightened. And
and then he jerked me horribly"
THAT was when l hit him. l must
have got the big brute just right. He
went overheard"
She looked down into the swirl be-
meath, clutching the edge Of the boat
with her hands.
isis he down therein the water?
Do you-you suppose he Is drowned"
81 don't see what else he could be-"
IL cannot bear to think of itr'
Now, see here" 1 said. coming back
to my senses. This is all foolishness
and losing US time I'm not sorry he
is out Of the way. 1t was either his
life or ours. Have you got the knifeY
Yes"
Then get hold of that stern rope. I
am going to lower away"
She obeyed me, but 1t was mechan-
zeal, her eyes still fixed upon the wa
ter.
BE quick now" l said sternly, and
my hand pressed her shoulder. "Your
life depends on your promptness."
l loosened the ropes. permitting
them to run slowly through the blocks
There was no creaking, and rejoiced
at the ease with which sustained the
weight as the boat descended. Slow
ly 1t sank below into the darkness I'M
til 1t was merely a black. shapeless
shadow outlined against the water. l
felt the strain on my arms as the swell
gripped its keel. Then the stern swung
free, and l knew she was scrambling
forward, knife in hand, for the other
rope. Almost before the boat could
swing about the second stay dangled,
and all my straining eyes could per-
ceive was a dark, indefinite shadow
drifting out of sight astern. With
out uttering a sound or wasting Sec
ond dived from the rail.
Its all rightv' called, loud enough
for her to hear Throw out an oar
on the left and hold her. I'll be there
In a minute"
l made 1t, almost breathless, when
finally gripped the gunwale and hung
on to regain a measure Of strength.
"Oh. thank God" she exclaimed,
staring at me; IL thought you were
lostr'
Don't think of it. The danger is all
over. You needn't pull on the oar; just
hold it straight out. That will keep
the boats head forward"
"Can you get over the side?'
"In moment-yes; as soon as get
my breath back. Did you notice any
alarm on board the Sea GULF"
She shaded her eyes with one hand,
holding the heavy oar against her
body, and looked ahead.
mo; was not thinking about that
only of your danger and my awful po-
sition. / was never SO frightened be-
fore"
"Can you still see the vessel"
"Just a shadow against the sky. L
/ think she Is moving straight ahead"
"Then we have not been missed nor
the mate. Doubtless he was going be-
low for his supper Now lean well
over to port-yes, the left-and balance
the boat am going to climb In"