The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-10-08


clay that the presence on the
schooner OF man unknown and Il
untouched for was not pleasant
So he descended into the hold.
struck n match and had look at
the sloepers face
Then very softly he returned to
the deck. half closed the hatch. and
thrustlng his head thru the open.
ing that remained. he called loud.
ly. Wake up. therel"
The snorcs ceased and we're FOL.
lowed by a kind OF sleepy groan-
ing.
"Gunsdorf." called Barclay. In a
sharp. inelsive voice. can you hear
me7'
Il hear YOU"
What are you doing on this
boats"
No answer.
Well. you'll not be able to do
any mischief. ! am going TO close
this hatch so that YOU can't open
IT,"
Gunsdorrs answer was TO fire
two Wild shots from his automatic.
Barclay slammed the hatch to and II
succeeded In fastening Il so that
II could not be opened from be-
low.
Gunsdorfs hands. their strength
refreshed by hatred. insanity and
suicidal daring. sought and found
the big auger and began 90 bore n
hole thru the bottom OF the schoon-
er. He would drown. but so would
they,
After a time the edge Of the
hole he was boring became damp. II
water began 10 trickle from the bit.
then TO spit and hiss. then the bit
went clean thru. and when he had Il
withdrawn Il water spouted upward 1
as from a garden hose.
But in the book OF fate the Mary /
Nye was not destined 20 perish BY II
water alone. Among her hotero /
geneous coastwise cargo which had 4
not been unloaded. from the small n
hold back OF the main hold. were /
two sacks OF unslaeked lime. After 4
a time a triekle OF water found It's 4
way 10 these. and they began 10 II
smoke.
When Gunsdorf smclled the
smoke his heart almost stopped 1
beating. he was so frightened.
III
From the eastern cliffs. which 1
received the onslaught OF tho open |
sea. Tommy and Celestial walked 10 n
those lower western cliffs whose
feet are washed by tho less siren 4
uous waters which now between 4
Gull Island and the mainland.
The view consisted OF gray water, II
a vast expanse OF Il. In commotion. II
and OF vast expanse OF sullen gray 4
sky: and. many miles distant, n
small schooner beating slowly up 1
TO the island.
They must be cooking n bonny
breakfast" said Tommy. Judging
from the smoke
Judging from the smoke" said
celestia. they've got more than
one stove"
by George. ron are right" said
Tommy. Then. a moment later.
With excitement. shes on fire
That's why the dayits arc swung
outhoard"
Can't No do anything 10 help"
No, unless the launch has come
back from Bartells Let's 20 sec"
SO they raced OFF 70 the landing /
The launch had not ye, returned
We can't do any good. said
Tommy with a great deal Of regret
In his voice. Let's hurry back
and see the end Of Il"
Captain Nye had kept his cour. i
age up. and held Erimly 20 the task
81 trying 10 make head against the
fire and against tho water rising In
the hold
Thru what remained OF the night, Il
and thru all the long. anxious morn. 4
ing. be and his two men. aided By /
Barclay. semmes and sturtevant.
had fought like heroes against the
fire and water
Captain Nye had suggested bring Il
ing Gunsdorf on deck and putting
him 20 work. and the effort had
been made. The man was disarmed
as he came Up. vet to the knees
and choking with smoke. But at
the sight OF Barclay all his hate re-
turned. He would not work. they
couldn't make him.
Why the hell should l." said he,
when took the trouble 20 bore the
holes that are sinking her. and 70
start the fire that's burning herr
is that the truth asked Cap
tain Nye
Yes"
Captain Nye motionad 10 his two
men. They seized Gunsdorf. and
after a short struggle cast him
back into his prison and battened
down the hatch.
There's no room for him in the
small boat" said Captain Nye:
and there's no more mischief no
can do down below
II was only the fatigue OF those
who were trying 10 save her that
eventually settled the fate Of the
Mary Nye. Her captain called the
party together.
Thanks. all hands" he said.
You've done all men could do"
At last the moment came when
Captain Nye thought best 10 aban-
don his ship.
As they we're about 10 step into
the boat that bumped along side.
but little below the level OF the
sinking deck. Barclay said curtly.
I can't leave Gunsdorf TO die like
that"
He himself unfastened the hatch
Gunsdorf had climbed upon the
ladder 10 keep out OF water "a long
as possible. They had 10 llft him
into the boat
She rode very low IN the water
and rolled precautionary when she
had drlfted out OF the lea OF the
doomed schooner. and whom she hit
the rougher water she rolled quiet.
" over and floatsd bottom up
Tho shock Of the cold water re- 4
vlyed Gunsdorf so that he did not
at once drown He succeeded In
getting hold OF the boat and keep.