Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-10-26

@a& &AI
carried a boat for Just such an emer-
genoy. But he. Gunsdorf. while the
others rowed merrily Off. would be
left in the dark.
In the nrst moment OF reasoning Ii
did not occur TO him that the ship
was on fire. Rather he thought that
the smoke was some devilish device
OF the triumvirate to a~sphyxiate him.
From the eastern cliffs. which re-
ceived the onslaught Of the open sea.
Tommy and Celestial walked Ia those
lower western cliffs whose feet are
washed by the less strenuous waters
which flow between Gull Island and
the mainland. and here. sheltered
from the wind. they seated them
selves. ostensibly to admire the view.
but really to admire each other.
The view consisted of gray water.
a vast expanse OF IL. In commotion.
and Of a vast expanse OF small gray
sky; and. many miles distant. a small
schooner beating slowly up TO the IT,
land.
They must Dc cooking n b0nny
breakfast said Tommy. Judging
from the smoke
Judging by the smoke" said &c
~lestia. they've got more than one
stove
by George you are right" said
Tommy. Then. a m later. with
axrftnruap. aCyatr -. g.. rrA..s~
why the davits are swung cupboard.
They are waiting till the last
TO lower a boat. Thank the Lord
they've got one. ! suppose they want
to get into the lee OF the island. II
must be pretty rough out there for a
skin. They're not making much
Roadway. though. She looks very lew
in the water. Probably leaks like
a sieve, and the fire keeps them frcm
getting to the pumps"
Cant we do anything tc help"
Not unless the launch has come
back from Bartells. She went over
early for newspapers and supplies.
Let's go see"
So they raced of to the landing.
The launch had not yet returned. and
there was neither sight nor sound ~
her. A catboat without even a mast
was drawn up on ways. and the only
other craft al the landing was a fiat
bottomed skin. SO low In the water
that she could not have lived in the
rough water outside Of the harbor.
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 it,
glasses. of which there were several
pairs in a drawer OF the hall table. ana
hurried back to the western cliffs.
In his explorations or the night be
fore Gunsdorf had noted the sacks of
lime raised from the floor Of the hold
to keep them from n chance water.
And II dawne6 upon him ii was his
w fault that they had got wet.
and generated enough heat TO set the
ship on fire.
Captain Nye had kept his courage
up. and held grimly 10 the task OF
trying to make head against the fire
and against the water rising liz the
hold.
Through what remained OF the
night, and through all the long. anx-
ious morning. he and his two men. aid
ed by Barclay. Semmes and Sturte-
want, had fought like heroes against
the fire and water.
uva- - - --.
into the burning after-hold SO much of
the water that they blistered their
hands pumping 1t out OF IL. At one
time it locke as IL they were going
to get the fire under control. In that
event they could have kept the vessel
afioat indefinitely.
Captain Nyc had suggested bringing
Gunsdorf OF deck AMI aItting him
70 work. and the effort lad been made.
The man was disarrlei as he came
up. wet TO the knees and choking with
smoke But at the sight or Barclay
all his hate returned. He would not
work; they couldn't make him.
why the he'll should T." said be,
when | took the trouble to bore the
holes that are sinking her and to start
the fire that's burning her."
All regarded the man with n hcr-
ror that was akin to awe. Anger sue
ceeded his.
rs that the TRUTH" asked Captain
Nye9"
Yes"
Captain Nye motioned to his two
men. They seized Gunsdorf. ana after
a short struggle cast him back into
his prison and battened down the
hatch.
There's no room fer him i'm the
small boat" said Captain Nye: and
there's no more mischief he can do
down below
Ii was only the fatigue CT those who
were trying to save her that even
tually 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. Wen
need what strength we've got left to
get us ashore. So let her burn
The boy. who had been at the wheel
ever since the discovery cf the fire.
a relieved by Captain Nye. The
boy promptly lay down on the deck.
md thn nshnwr r~rl-r~l m..s. .~---