The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-11-25

look at the tiny dinghy which lay on
the cabin top. squat and tublike. or the
small ducking skiff that here on oecK
was half full Of water from the break
ing seas.
Peterson" said |. take charge OF
the big boat here. Take Williams 10
run her motor for you. And the ladies'
will go with you"
turned to the two boys, and my
heart leaped in pride for them both.
for when motioned to Jimmy to make
ready for the large boat, with the Ia
dies, he stepped back. pale as he was.
Not unless John goes. too" said be.
And they stood side by side. simply
and with no cutlery, their young faces
grave.
HE must go with us-Jimmy." broke
out Helena yearningly. land so must
you"
"Shut up. Auntie." exclaimed Jimmy
most irreverently. "Who's a-running
this boat I'd like to known" Which
abashed his auntie very much.
We'll take this one." said Jean
Lafitte, and already was tipping the
duck boat. It'll carry US three If it
has to-" And allowed him and his
| mate to stand by, not daring to look
ut it's inadequate shell and again at the
breaking seas.
That left the dinghy for Willy and
the cook. glanced at Willy. (Which
would you rather chance" asked
him, 1.-The dinghy or the duck boat?"
"The dinghy" said he quickly, and
we both knew the corklike quality Of
this stubby craft
Every WE'LL" said 1. Call John when
the word comes to 60"
aren't you going with us?" asked
Helena now. suddenly. approaching
me. l took one long look into her eyes.
then "Obey orders was all l said and
pointed to the larger boat. said
goodby 10 her then. And. in the swift
intuitive justice that comes to us in
moments of extremity, passed sen
tence upon these young boys and my
self. Though they had sinned in limo
cence, though l had sinned in love. it
had been our folly that had brought
these others into this peril, and our
chance must be the least. Peterson
and Williams would be a better team
in the big boat than any other we
could afford l saw Peterson step to-
ward us and OWNED what was in his
mind. I'm owner of this boat. my
man." said l. "Go to your duty.
You're needed in the big boat"
I'm last to leave her. whispered
the old man. "She's my boat and I've
run her.
Peterson" said l. taking him aside,
"1'll buy US another boat, but there Is
no woman on earth. nor ever will be.
like that one yonder. Save her. It is
self, but she thinks I'm coward. and
would be If arranged our crews any
other way than just as we are. Take
your boat through. We others will do
the best we can. And give the word
for the boats when you're sure we
can't ride it out"
Silently the old man touched his cap
and, giving me one look, he went to
the bows of his boat The Belle He-
lene, dashed by the storm. rolled and
pulled at her cable, rose. fell thudding
ly. And at last came a giant swell
that almost submerged us. I caught
Helena to the cabin top to keep her
drier from it, and the two boys also
sprang to point of safety. Mrs. Dan
liver. less agile. was caught by Peter
son and Williams and held to the rail,
wetted thoroughly. And by some
freak of the wind at that instant came
fully the roar Of the surf. We Of the
Belle Helene seemed very small.
| looked now at Peterson He raised
his little magaphone which hung at his
belt and shouted loud and clear, as
though we could not have heard him
at this distance Of ten feet. Get ready
to lower awayv Williams and the
deck hand sprang to the falls. Get
the women in the boat. you. Williams
called the skipper land go in with
them to steady her when she floats.
Take his place there. Mr.. Harry. Live.
~ now!" And how we got the two
women into the swinging boat hard.
ly knew.
The old skipper cast one eye ahead
as a big wave rolled astern. "Nowy
he shouted. Lower away, there!"