The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-03-29
BY JACK LONDON.
Continued from Yesterday


hands. From time to time Il
rocked back and forward as with
pain. Once, when he half raised
II. saw the sweat standing In
heavy drops on his forehead
about the roots of his hair.
II am sick man, q very sick
man." he repeated again. and yet
once again.
What is the matter?" asked,
resting my hand on his shoulder.
What can | do for your"
But he shook my hand off with
an irritated movement, and for
a long time l stood by his side
in silence. Maud was looking on,
her face awed and frightened.
What had happened to him we
could not imagine.
Hump" he said at last, Il
must get into my bunk. Lend
me hand. I'll be all right In a
little while. It's those damn
headaches, / believe. | was afraid
of them. | had feeling-no,
l don't know what I'm talking
about. Help me into my bunk. !"
But when I got him into his
bunk he again buried his face
in his hands, covering his eyes,
and as | turned to go could hear
him murmuring, IL am a sick
man, very sick man."
Maud looked at me inquiring-
ly as / emerged. l shook my
head, saying:
Something has happened to
him. What, ! don't know. He il
helpless. and frightened. | inn
agine, for the first time in his
life. II must have occurred be-
fore he received the knife-thrust,
which made only a superficial
wound. You must have seen
what happened"
She shook her head. II saw
nothing. 1t is Just as mysteri-
GUS to me. He suddenly released
me and staggered away. But
what shall We do? What shall ]
do?"
IF you will wait, please, until
Il GollC bdShs dnbN iCu.
! went on deck. Louis was at
the wheel.
you may go for'ard and turn
in" said. taking 1t from him.
He was quick to obey, and |
found myself alone on the deck
of the Ghost. AS quietly as was
possible, clewed up the topsails,
lowered the flying jib and stay
sail, backed the jib over, and
flattened the mainsail Then j
went below to Maud. placed my
finger on my lips for silence, and
entered Wolf Larsens room. He
was In the same position In which
] had left him, and his head was
rocking-alm writhing-from
side to side.
Anything ! can do for your
l asked.
He made no reply at first, but
on my repeating the question he
answered. mo, no; I'm all right.
Leave me alone till morning."
But as turned to go noted
that his head had resumed it's
rocking motion. Maud was wait
ing patiently for me. and l took
notice, with thrill of Joy, OF
the queenly poise of her head and
her glorious, calm eyes. Calm
and sure they were as her spirit
itself.
VIII you trust yourself to me
for a journey Of six hundred miles
or so?" | asked.
you mean-?" she asked, and
l knew she.had guessed Alright.
Yes, / mean Just that" l ree-
piled. There is nothing left for
us but the open boat"
For me, you mean" she sad.
you are certainly as safe here as
you have been"
mo, there is nothing left for
us but the open boat" / iterated
stoutly. "Will you please dress
as warmly as you can, at once,
and make into bundle whatever
you wish to bring with YOU"
And make all haste" added.
as she turned toward her state
room.
The lazarette was directly be-
meath the cabin, and, opening the
trap-door in the floor and carry
ing a candle with me, l dropped
down and began overhauling the
ships stores. / selected mainly
from the canned goods, and by
the time / was ready, willing
hands were extended from aboy Q
to receive what l passed up.
We worked in silence. l help
ed myself also to blankets, nit
tens, oilskins, caps, and such
things, from the slop-chest. 1t
was no light adventure, this
trusting ourselves in small boat
to SO raw and. stormy a sea. and
1t was imperative that we should
guard ourselves against the cold
and wet.
We worked feverishly at carry
ing our plumber on deck and de-
posting 1t amidships, SO fever
ishly that Maud, whose strength
was hardly a positive quantity,
had to give over, exhausted, and
sit on the steps at the break of
the poop. This did not serve to
recover her, and she lay on her
back. on the hard deck, arms
stretched out and whole body re-
Taxed. 1t was a trick l remem-
bered of my sister, and l knew
she would soon be herself again.
knew. also. that weapons would