The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-09-22
THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS
BY LOUIS TRACY,
Author of 1.-The Wings of the Morning." 1.-The
Pillar of Light" Etc.
Copyright by Edward J. Globe.

against the corner OF the salon at INC
foot of the stairs.
Pm with you, captain.' he yelled.
Courtcnay saw that he had conquer
ed them for the instant. He raised his
hand.
"Behave like men, he cried. "You
can do no good by crowding the deck.
| am going to the bridge to see if it
is possible to lower the boats. Each
boats crew will be mustered in turn,
passengers and men alike. If you are
towards now you will throw away
what chance there is of saving your
lives"
A revolver barkcd twice somewhere
on deck. a bullet smashed one of the
windows of the music room and lodged
in Il panel behind Courtenay. They
all heard the reports, but the captain
turned the incident to advantage.
You see we mean to maintain or
der" he said. "Mr. Malcolm, take
care that every one has a life belt"
a sort of cheer came from the men.
Who could fail to believe in a leader
so cool and resourceful? He ran out
into the darkness to discover the cause
of the shooting. A number of sailors
and iiremen We're striving to launch a
boat. There was a struggle going on.
He could not distinguish friend from
foe in the melee, but he threw himself
into it fearlessly.
You fools!!' he shouted. you may
die soon enough without killing each
other. Make way there. All, would
your He caught the CLEAN of an up
lifted knife and struck savagely at the
ace of the man who would have used
it. The butt of the revolver caught the
| sailor on the temple. He went down
like a stone. Courtenay stumbled over
another PROSTATE body. 1t was Mr..
Boyle striving to rise. Their eyes met
in the gloom. Courtenay stopped and
swung the other clear of the fight. for
the second and third officers were using
their fists, and Walker evcn in the
hurry of his ascent from the stOkehOld
had not let go Of a spanner. The yclls
and curses, the tramplingS Of dim
forms swaying in the fight, the roar
ing Of the gale and the incessant crash
of heavy spray made up a CHASTITY pan
demonium. 1t was an orgy of terror.
of wild abandon, Of hopeless striving
on the edge Of the pit, a stupid mad
ness at the best, as the ships lifeboats
on the port side were on the spar deck.
In their panic the men We're endcavor-
ing to lower a dinghy. Yet Courtenay
saw that discipline was regaining its
influence. He thought to inspire CON
fidcnce and stop useless savagery by a
sharp command.
".All hands follow me to starboard.'
The struggle ceased instantly. The
captains order seemed to imply some
new scheme. Men who a ago
would have killed any one who sought
to restrain them from clearing the
boats falls noW raced pellmcll after
their officers. No heed was paid to
those who lay on the deck wounded or
insensible. Herein alone did these Chill
can sailors differ from wolves, and
wolves have the excuse of fierce hun
ger when they devour their disabled
fellows.
Still carrying Boyle, Coultenay led
the confused horde through a gang
way to the higher side Of the deck.
"SWing those boats back to the spar
deck.' he said. Get falls and tackle
ready to lift them to port. Don't lose
your heads, men. You will all be clear
of the ship in ten minutes if you do
as you are told"
Two officers and a qu~artermastcr
sprang forward. In an incredibly short
space of time the crew We're working
with r%edoubled frenzy, but under con-
troll and with a common object. For
an instant Courtcnay was free to at
tend to his chief officer. He bore him
to the lighted sailor companion. Boyle
was deathly pale under the tan of his
skin. The captain saw that his own
left hand where it clasped the other
round the waist was covered with
blood.
Below there" he cried. Bring two
men here, Mr.. Malcolm.'
When the chief steward came he
gave directions that Mr.. Boyle should
be taken to the salon and DR.. Christie
bal summoned.
"Scnd some one YOU can trust to re-
turn" he continued. Go then to the
lee of the promenade deck. You will
find others there"
He did not stop to ask himself if
solicitude for the unfortunatcs wound.
ed in the fight were Of any avail. His
mind was clear. the habit of command
strong in him. Not until the sea claim
ed him would he cease to rule. The
clank of pulleyS, the cries of the sail
ors heaving the ropes, told him that
the crew were at work. At last he
was free to go to the bridge.
He found the quarterlnaster in tho
chart house OF his knees. When the
ship struck. the officer of the watch
had been thrown headlong to port
Recovering his feet before a tumbling
sea could fling him overheard. he haul