Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-16
CHATTER xI--tCootluucdl


ATO WORD was spoken now Roth BeRtrce
IN and Stern lay TO the sweeps; both braccd
themselves aud put the full force OF back
and arms into each long and powertui
stroke. Yet Stern could see that AZ thc
rate OF progress they were making over
that black and oily swirl they could not
gain ten feet while the current was carry
ing them a thousand.
IN his heart he knew the futillty OF tho
fight. yet still he fought. stu Beatrice
fought for life too. there by hts side.
Human instinct. the viii TO live. drove them
OH. on. where both understood there was
no hope.
For now already the current had quick
ensd atlIl more. The breeze had sprung up
from the opposite direction: stern knew
tho boiling rush OF waters had already
reached speed greater than that OF the
wind itself. No longer the stars trembled,
reflected In the waters. All ugly froth-
ing broken. the swift current foamed and
leaped. In long horrible CULTS and crests
OF slckoninE velocity
And whlrpoos now began TO form. The
yawl was twisted like n straw, wrenched'
hurled, flung about with slckensng Nio-
lence.
"Rowi Rowp' stern cried none the
less And his muscles punched and hard
ened with the labor his veins stood out
and sweat dropped from his brow, ran
into his eyes. and all but blinded him.
The girl too. WAS Iaborlng with all her
might stern heard her breath Easplng
and quick. above the roar ana swasn OF
the mad waters, And all at once reVulslon
seIzed hIm--rage, and kind OF mad exulta-
ton a defiance OF Il all.
lie dropped the sweep and spranE to
her
"astar. he shouted. louder than the
droning tumult no use No use at all
Here--ooms to me"
He drew the sweep lnboard and nunE
Il in the bottom OF the yawl.
Already tho vapOrs OF the cataract ahead
vera drifting over them and driving In
tholr faces A vibrant booming shuddered
through the dark air where now even the
moons faint light was all eNtinguished by
tho whIrlng mlsts.
Heaven and sea shook with the terrible
conclusion OF falling waters Though stern
mad shouted, yet the girl could not have
heard him now
In the gloom he peered at her he took
her in HIS arms Her face was pale but
very calm She showed no more fear than
,he man. each seemed inspired with some
strange exultant thought OF DEATH there
with the other
Hs drew her to his breast and covered
her face no knelt with her among the
beaned-up furs, and then as the yawi
pIunged more violently stlll they sank
down in the poor shelter Of the cabin and
waited.
His arms were about her; her face was
hurled on his breast He smoothed her
hair; his lips pressed her forehead
"Good-byl /" he whispered. though she
could not hear
They seemed now to hover on the very
brink.
A long. racing slulcsliks incline OF black
waters, streaksd with swiris OF white, APP
peared before them. The boat plunged
and whlrIed dipped. rlghted. and sped on.
Behind. a huge. rushing wall-hka mass
OF latherlng. isaplng surges. In front a
vast nothlngness. a black, unfathomable
void. up through which gushed In clouds
the mighty jets Of Sapor,
Cana a lurch. a swift plunge.
The boat hung suspended moment
stern saw what seemed long. clear,
Rreenish slant OF water Deafened ana
dared by the Internal pendemonium OF
noise, he bowed his head on hers. aud his
arms frightened, 80
suddenly everything dropped away. The
unlyerse crashed and beloved
stern felt a heavy dash OF brlne-cold,
strangllng irresistible.
All grew black
Death !" thought he, and knew no more.