The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-12-11

let me past-make room for me-to
the sea-to the sea-
| At crazy little wharf Ilington
twitched himself and Manuella and the
child deftly to one side and let the
crowd plunge on.
He scanned the surface of the bay,
the fringe of shore. The bay was dot
ted with small boats, laden to the gun
wales. The water was alive with
swimmers.
| Ilington turned suddenly-at his
| side stood Hernandez. Ilington shook
his head.
| "There's not chance" he said.
"Senor Ilington," said Hernandez,
"you are indeed fortunate to nave tied
| yourself to me. Always have some
| thing up my sleeve" He jerked his
head. Follow me-" he added.
1lington, wondering, followed, drag
! ging Manuella with him. -
Swiftly the group moved along the
water front-they fought their way
inch by inch. Suddenly Hernandez
+ darted out upon another wharf.
"Stand in circle" he commanded,
'and when I say the word-quick ac-
ton, senor."
Then Hernandez stopped quickly
and jerked back a trap door that had
been fitted into the planking +
Quick" he whispered, drop"
He seized Manuella and dropped her
through the opening. She screamed
this scream rose to a shrek when she
struck the water. But her alarm was
unwarranted. There was no danger
she stood waistdeep in water. Ponto
followed with a leap-he knew his
ground. Ilington lowered himself
warily, to save annette from injury;
cluAg for one instant to the edge OF the
opening with one brawny hand, and
then dropped straight as a plummet
Hernandez followed suit, closing the
trap door behind him. The closing of
this door left them almost in total
darkness.
"Senor," whispered Hernandez, Il
have boat. One moment, please
He groped about and caught a rope
tied to pile. He drew it in, hand
over hand.
"In," said Hernandez-"everybody
In" .--..sa}{ -.
The group obeyed The boat was
small. ,t... -"
"Senor," said Hernandez, "you are
large-you are tall. See yonder ray Of
is an opening Just wide
,r1> %@> 1f hi
Leap out, senor-draw us thither-it
is the sole way to the sea"
Ilington dragged the boat through
the narrow opening and swung back
into his place. E-.@....
''I'l1 row." he said. -
| Suddenly Hernandez pointed toward
the north. "Look, senor," he ex-
claimed, "succor-yonder is saliva
tion." " ss.-,..
Ilington followed his glance. His
| face lighted. zs'
Salvation is right" he returned in
tones of relief, "a steamer-an
! what's more, she flies the American
/ flag. Good luck
Under the command of her captain,
Hardin, the Princess had steamed back
into the rain of living fire to rescue
whom she might. - !. s.~z. -
On the forward deck of the steamer
stood Captain Hardin-and beside
him his small son-to welcome refu-
gees. And there were many refugees
to welcome. Captain Hardin soon
saw he must discriminate.
Finally he shook his head. "Ben,"
he told his mate, "we're filing up.
Pick your crowd from now on-only
the helpless children, women, old
men. Reject all others
Welcher, with two of the crew be-
hind him-both scared into a frenzy
all armed with capstan bars-raised
aloft his bludgeon.
mo moreno more!"-he cried. "I'll
brain the first man who tries to get
aboard
Suddenly above the din, "a powerful
voice was heard. VI
"Ahoy, there, Princess cried this
voice. !. go
Welcher followed the sound. It
came from the lungs Of powerfully
built man rowing leaky boat.
make way there" beloved the
oarsman, Ilington; zone moment,
Princess. Where's the captain?"
Ilington seized his little daughter
Annette and uncovered her head.
Never mind me-" he said II want
refuge for this woman and the child"
Welcher was adamant. "Not an
other ounce of human flesh aboard
this boat" he said.
There was a tug upon his arm. He
turned. Little Neal Hardin, the cap
tain's son, stood at attention and
touched his cap He pointed with one
hand toward little Annette Ilington.
please, Mr.. Welcher,' he pleaded,
"let her come aboard. She don't weigh
an ounce
The mate turned savagely upon the
boy. "You mind your own business,
brat" he cried. The boy stared at him
moment, then saluted and started
! off,
Eyes, SIR he returned, that's what
I'm going to do"
He darted off on the run, and sought
his father, Captain Hardin.
There's just one ounce-a little bit
of an ounce--wants to come aboard.
captain-pop. he pleaded; a tween.
ty-weenty little ounce. Won't you let