The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-04-08

iength lay on the deck.
looked at my watch. II was
twelve o'clock. My back was
aching sorely, and felt ex-
tremely tired and hungry. And
there on the deck was a single
stick of timber to show for a
whole mornings work. For the
first time | thoroughly realized
the extent Of the task before us.
But | was learning, / was learn
ing. The afternoon would show
far more accomplished. And IL
did; for we returned at one
o'clock, rested and strengthened
by hearty dinner.
In less than an hour | had the
maintopmast on deck and was
constructing the shears. Lash
ing the two topmasts together.
and makeing allowance for their
unequal length, at the point of
intersection l attached the dou-
BILE block Of the main throat
halyards. This, with the single
BLOCK and the throat-halyards
themselves, gave me a hosting
tackle. To prevent the butts of
the masts from slipping on the
deck, | nailed down thick cleats.
Everything in readiness, | made
a line fast to the apex of the
shears and carried II directly to
the windlass. ] was growing to
have faith in that windlass, for
II gave me power beyond all ex-
pectation. AS usual, Maud held
the turn while | heaved. The
shears rose In the air.
Then discovered | had for
gotten guy-ropes. This necessi-
tated my climbing the shears,
which did twice, before | fin
ished guying 1t fore and aft and
to either side. Twilight had set
In by the time this was accom-
plished. Wolf Larsen, who had
sat about and listened all after
noon and never opened his
mouth, had taken himself off to
sbe galley and started his sup
per. | felt quite stiff across the
small of the back, so much so
that | Strengthened up with an
effort and with pain. l looked
proudly at my work. II was be-
ginning to show. was wild
with desire, like a child with a
new toy, to hoist something with
my shears.
~, wish It weren't so late" /
said. I'D like to see how 1t
works"
+ Don't be glutton, Hum
phrey," Maud chided me. "Re-
member. tomorrow Is coming,
and you're SO tired now that you
can hardly stand"
And your" | said, with sud
den solicitude. You must be
very tired. You have worked
hard and nobly. i am proud of
you, Maud
Not half so proud as ! am of
you, nor with half the reason"
she answered, looking me
straight in the eyes for a moment
with an expression in her own
and a dancing, tremulous light
which l had not seen before, and
which gave me pang of quick
delight know not why, for|
/ did not understand 1t. Then
she dropped her eyes, to lift them
again, laughing.
"lf our friends could see usI
now" she said. Look at us.
Have you ever paused for a mo-
ment to consider our appear
ance?"
yes, l have considered yours, |
frequently" answered, puz-
cling over what had seen in her
eyes and puzzled by her sudden
change of subject.
Z Mercy" she cried. "And
what do ! look like, pray?"
"A scarecrow, I'm afraid" II
replied. Just glance at your
draggled skirts, for instance.
Look at those three-cornered
tears. And such a waist 1t
would not require a Sherlock
Helmes to deduce that you havel
been cooking over a campfire, to |
say nothing Of frying out seal
blubber. And to cap 1t all, that
cap! And all that is the woman
who wrote A Kiss Endured.
She made me an elaborate and
stately courtesy. and said, "As for
you, sir"
And yet. through the five min