Charlevoix county herald., 1915-06-05

against this sea-providing nothing
happens" the captain replied.
"Then let's get off," said Cornish
without moments hesitation.
"Mr. Cornishw Harcourt broke in.
II protest. refuse to"
Lower the launchw Cornish di-
rected without needing him.
AS he gave the command Adele, ap-
peared in the companionway, conf
pletely enveloped in a seaman's oil
skins. Harcourt looked at her in sur
prise and she. laughed mischievously
at him. "Oh, you are not going to get
rid Of me just yet" she said.
"You don't mean to say that you
intend to go in the launch ?" Harcourt
asked.
Certainly" said Adele. you're
entirely too troublesome for dad to
handle alone"
Again a dull boom sounded above
the storm and this time, as Cornish
had anticipated, they heard the shrek
of shell as it flew close to the
yachts mast.
"Come onw shouted Cornish.
There's no time to losew
1.-THE launch is ready, sir" Whitford
announced. The Murita had swung
her prov about to the westward, and
the launch had been dropped from
the port side, so that now the yacht
lay between it and the cutter. Whit.
ford had planned it out carefully, so
that even if the searchlight should
play upon them again the launch
would not come within range of its
light until it had shot away from the
protecting side of the Murita. After
that the little party would have to
take their chances, but Cornish fig
ured that the little craft would hardly
be seen above the great waves, es-
pecially as those on the cutter would
be unaware of it's departure and
would be directing their entire atten-
ton to the yacht.
Once the launch was gone, however,
it was the plan to start the Murita
full speed ahead in the opposite direc-
ton, to give the cutter the slip if
possible, and at least divert the atten-
ton of its officers from the escaping
launch.
At a signal from her father, Adele
climbed over the rail and made her
way slowly and carefully down the
swinging ladder, while a seaman held
the launch close with boathook. Cor
.nish turned to Whitford. "As soon as
we put off, keep the cutter curious
and dodge about so they'll have to
keep their searchlight on YOU" he
directed. "Well be ready as soon SIS
your men climb back on board"
You're not going alone are you ?"
Whitford asked in surprised dis
approval.
Certainly" said Cornish. "I'll at
tend to the engine myself, and Adele
can steer as well as any seaman you
have" Then he faced Harcourt once
more. Are you coming?" he de-
manded
"No," Harcourt refused.
"Then I'll make you comet" Cor
nish cried, out Of all patience. With
quick movement he stepped to Har-
courts side, hesitating for the frac-
ton Of a second with his great fist
poised in the air. Then the blow de-
scended and Harcourt dropped like
log, his head striking heavily against
the brasswork of the railing.
A murmur of establishment came
from the crew, and Adele, hearing the
noise from below, called up to ask
what had happened. Without word
of explanation Cornish lifted the un-
conscious man in his arms, and,
steadying himself for a moment on
the uncertain ladder, began to de-
scend, holding Harcourt close to his
powerful body as he might have
handled a baby.
Once in the bobbing launch, Cor
nish cast off. The little engine
snorted through the noise of the
storm, and in another minute the
launch shot out through the heavy
seas. Cornish sent it ahead at full
speed, and, in spite of the heavy
waves, the little craft made rapid
progress, soon being lost in the dark
ness from the view of those who
watched from the Murita's deck.
Cornish gave not the slightest heed
to Harcourt who lay where the
American had left him, and Adele, at
her post by the wheel had no time
to question or investigate his condi-
ton. The rain was falling in torrents
and now and then the sea broke over