The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-12-08

lSINc III llS way dS NiC |
rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated so sensibly
that the Pacific rollers raced on un-
broken, and it was no longer a super
human task to make ones voice heard
along the deck.
SO the captain aroused Walker with
a sharp order:
500 and see if the donkey boiler has
a good head Of steam. We may have
to drop the stream anchor quick n
both bowers as we'll. If Tollemache
is doing his work properly go forward
and keep q sharp lookout for broken
water. Clear off the %tarpaulins, and be
ready to lower away the instant sing
OUT"
Walker, who had been gazing spell
bound at the majestic haven opening
up before the ship, hurried on his err
rand. He found Tollemache seated on
an upturned bucket, in which the tact
turn one had just washed his face and
hands.
"Have you seen it?' demanded
Walker gleefully, while his practiced
eyes took in the state of the gauges as
he overran a number Of oil taps with
nimble fingers.
seen what:' asked Tollemache
without removing his pipe.
"The land, my bonny lad. We-ah
wunnin' wight in now"
We've been doing that for hours"
eyes, but this is diff'went. The'aw's
a fine wiv-ah ahead. Have We evan
seen the Tyne? Well, just shove
Sooth Sheets an Tynemouth a few hun
dred feet high-ah an you've got it.
Now, don't twy to talk or you might
cwack yo' face"
he vanished toward the forecastle,
whence the ubiquitous donkey boiler
through II of its long arms would
shoot forth the stockless anchors at
the touch Of a lever. Tollemache, who
had already glimpsed the coast, stroll
ed out on deck and bent we'll i've the
side in order to look more directly
ahead. He could see one-half only Of
the view. but that sufficed.
"a respite" he growled to himself
"pcnal servitude instead of sudden
death"
And indeed this was the true aspect
Of things, as Courtenay discovered
when he had successfully brought the
ship past three ugly reefs and dropped
anchor in the backWater of a small
sheltered bay. He speedily abandoned
the half formed hope that the Kansas
might have run into an ocean water
vyay which communicated with S1nvth
channel. The rampant of snow clad
hills had no break. while a hasty scru-
tiny of the chart showed him that the
eastern coast Of Hanover island had
been thoroughly surveyed. Yet it was
not in human nature that he should not
experience a rush Of JOY at the thought
that by his own efforts he had saved
his ship and some at least Of the lives
intruStcd to his care. He was alone
when the music of the chains in the
hawsc pipes sounded in his ears. The
Kansas had plenty Of room to swing,
but he thought it best to moor her.
Relieving implicitly now that he would
yet bring his vessel into the Thames,
he allowed her to be carried round by
the fast flowing tide until her nose
pointed seaward and she lay in the
comparatively still water insllore. Then
he dropped the second anchor and
stepped forth from the chart house.
His long vigil was ended. Some of the
cloud Of care lifted from his face. and
he called cheerily to Joey.
Come along, pup he said. LET us
sample DR.. Christobal's cookery. You
have shared my watch; now you shall
my breakfast. We have both earned
it,
1t was in his mind to knock loudly
on Elsie's door and awaken her.
Therefore he was dimly conscious of
a feeling of disappointment when he
saw her in company with Christobal
leaning over the rail of the promenade
deck and evidently discussing the
weird beauty of the scene spread be.
fore her wondering eyes. They heard
C~ourtenay's approaching footsteps al
most us soon as he gained the deck.
Instantly she ran toward him, with
hands outstretched.
Let me be the first to congratulate
you." she cried, her cheeks mantlin2
with a rush of color and her lips quiv
ering With excitement. How wonder
full of YOU to bring the ship through
all those awful reefs and things! No
YOU must not say you have lone moth
ing marvellous. DIR. Christobal has tol(
me everything. Next to Providence
Captain Courtenay, we W our live!
to you"
Courtenay felt it would hurt her were
he to smile at her earnestness. But h.
did say:
surely it is not so very remarkable
that / should do my best to Safeguard
the ship and such of her passenger
and crew as survive last nights or
deal"
1 II shall never understand how
came to fall asleep said Elsie. II re
I -, v,1,or foolirr yo,v triad cat dow,