Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-09-17

!: !
Ponto's Eyes Redeemed; His Face r
! Hit Of His Knife and {
water front-they fought their way
inch by inch Suddenly Hernandez
= darted out upon another wharf.
| Stand In a circle" he commanded
, and when say the word-quick &C
, ton, senior"
Then Hernandez stopped quickly
and lerhed back trap door that had
been fitted into the planking
Quick" he whispered, drop"
He seized Manuella and dropped her
through the opening. She screamed
thls scream rose to shrek when she
struck the water. But her alarm was
unwarranted. There was no danger
she stood waistdeep in water Ponto
followed with leap-he knew his
ground. Ilington lowered himself
warily, to save Annette from injury;
chung for one instant TO the edge OF the
opening with one brawny hand, and
then dropped straight as plummet.
Hernandez followed suit, closing the
trap door behind him. The closing OF
this door left them almost in total
darkness.
Senior whispered Hernandez, Il
have a boat One moment, please
He CROPPED about and caught rope
tied to a pile He drew 1t in, hand
over hand
In" said Hernandez everybody
/ in"
The group oheyed The boat was
small.
Senior said Hernandez, you are
large--you are tall. See yonder ray of
light--it is an opening, just wide
enough to admit of this small craft
Leap out, senor--draw us thither--it |
is the sole 'way to the sea-"
llington dragged the boat through
the narrow opening and swung back
into his place.
I'm row" he said. "#"
Suddenly Hernandez pointed toward |
the north. Look, senor,' he ex-
claimed, "succor-yonder is saliva
ton"
Ilington followed his glance. His
face lighted
Salvation is right, ''~he returned In
tones of relief, "a steamer-and,
what's more, she flies the American
flag. Good luck"
Under the command of her captain,
Hardin, the Princess had steamed bacl,
into the~fain of living fire to rescue
whom she might
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 ted 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,
No more-no more" he cried I'm
brain the first man who tries to get
aboard"
Suddenly above the din, a powerful
voice was heard
Alloy, there Princess cried this
voice.
Welcher followed the sound. 1t
came from the lungs of a powerfully
built man rowing leaky boat,
Make way there" beloved the
oarsman, llngton, "one moment,
Princess. Where's the captain"
lington seized his little daughter
Annette and uncovered her head.
Never mind me" he said. q want
refuge for this woman and the child" !,
Welcher was adamant Not an
other ounce OF human flesh aboard
this boat" he said y
There was tug upon his arm He
Little Neal Hardin, the cap :.
talns 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 u
an ounce" c
The mate turned savagely upon the .
boy. You mind your own business,
brat" he cried. The boy stared at him "
1 moment, then saluted and started 1t
IF ii
Yes, sir" he returned, that's what 81
IN going to do"
lie darted off on the run, and sought 81
lis father, Captain Hardin.
There's just one ounce-a little bit CT
u an ounce wants to come aboard, b
he pleaded; tween. m
y-weenty little ounce. Won't you lei W
{ Gomez" Ell
He dragged the captain forward II
he captain, laughing gpod-naturedly. ii
ollowed him
Menrvnile Ilington, with sure dis OIL
animation, placed the child In Man So
elias arms once more, and forced the
iative woman out upon the ladder, >.
Courage, Manuella,' he kept whis- -
'ering; courage, Annette. They've W
ot to help you out
Captain Hardin leaned over the side. -
Let the woman and child come !"
board, he shouted back there, men ~
ack, Wecher, let them come aboard 81
"Ah-h-h,' cried Ilington in a tone ~
I relief. With anal almost super. ~
nman effort he lifted Manuella to the % -