The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-14
CHAPTER |.
Wave Tossed and Cast Away

AINh lnuiAs anu nNf t2tf hhiP h"'
explained to Miss Leslie that IL was
as well for her not 20 be too hasty
In accepting hts attentions.
To be sure, he was an English.
man. HIS dress and manners were
irreproachable, and he was IN the
prime OF ripened youth. Yet Lady
Bayrose was too conscientious a
chaperon TO be fully satisfied with
her countryman's bare assertion
that he was engaged on a diplo.
matte mission requiring reticcnee
regarding his identity.
Notwithstanding this. W1nthrope
came aboard ship virtually as a
member OF her Ladyship's party,
He was SO quick. so thoughtful OF
her comfort. and paid so much moro
attention to her than to Miss Leslie.
that her Ladyship had decided 20
tolerate him, even before Blake be-
came a factor in the situation.
From the moment he crossed the
Eangway the American engineer
entered upon a daily routine OF
drinking and gambling. varied only
by attempts TO strike up an off.
hand acquaintance with the Amcri.
can heiresH.
On the day OF the cyclone. Blake
had Withdrawn into his stateroom
with a number of bottles. and was
hilssfully unconscious OF danger.
Even when the steamer went on
the reef. he was only partially
reused by the shock.
lie took long pull from n quart
flask OF whiskey and lurched out
thru the open doorway. There he
reeled headlonE against the mate.
The mate cursed him and In the
same breath ordered two OF the
men 10 fetch him up on deck.
Blake was flung over into tho ono
remaining boat. lilo served as a
cushion 10 break the fall OF Miss
Leslie. who was tossed In after him
At the same time. Winthrope.
frantic with fear. scrambled into
the bows and cut loose.
She and Wln,hrope saw the
steamer sink After that all was
chaos TO them. They were driven
ashore before the terrific gusts OF
the cyclone. Aud thru II all Blake
lay huddled on the bottom boards.
There came the seemingly final
moment when the boat went spin.
ming stern over prov.
Half sobered. Blake opened his
eyes. He was given little time 10
take his bearings. A smother Of
broken surf came SeethlnE up from
one OF the great breakers 20 send
him spinning for yards. he brought
up In shallow pool. beside hum.
mock.
Under tho lee Of the knoll lay
winihrope and Miss Lesiie. Tho
conscious. both we're dragged aud
beaten 10 exhaustion.
When tho boat capsiEcd, Miss
Leslio had been flunE against the
Englishman. and they had held fast
to each other with the desperate
clutch OF drowning persons
Blake. sitting wAist.d-ep fin the
pool. blinked at them benignly with
hts pale blue eyes.
After a futile attempt TO gain his
feet. be crawled out OF the pool
on all fours.
Time turn In" be mumbled. and
sprawied full length. Immediately
he fell into a drunken stupor
Winthrope huddled between his
companions. drenched and exhaust.
ed. Tho no could hear Miss Lcslie
moaning. he was too miserable him.
self 10 inquire WHITTIER he could do
anything for her. Presently he be.
came aware that the wind waa fall.
ina and he. too. fell into a heavy
sleep.
A wall from Miss Leslie reused
the Englishman. The cyclone had
been followed by a dead calm. and
the sun. already well above the
horizon. was blazing upon them
with fierce heat.
Blake lay snoring where he had
first outstretehed himself. The
girl. however. was already awake.
Miss Leslie ventured a glance at
Blake.
is he stiil--in that condition p
Must have slept It off by this
time" answered Winthrope. Reach.
Ing over with his foot he pushed
against Blake's back.
HUH All right" grunted the
sleeper. and sat up. az had Win.
thorpe. half dazed. Then he stared
around him. and rose to his feet.
Well. what in helll Say. this is
damn cheerful"
But say, my man. there is a
woman present. and your language.
you know"
Blake turned and fixed the Eng.
lishman with a cold stare.
Look here" he said. there's Just
one thing you're going to under.
stand, right here and now. I'm not
your man. and we're not going to
have any OF that kind OF batter.
Any fool can see we're in n tight
hole. and we're like 10 keep com
pany for a whlle--probably long as
we last"
"What-ah--may ask. do you
mean by that7"
Blake laughed harshly. and point
ed from the reef.strewn sea TO the
vast stretches OF desolate marsh.
Far inland. across miles OF brack.
ish lagoons and reedy mud.flats,
could be seen groups OF scrubby.
half-leafless trees: ten or twelve
miles TO the southwark a rocky
headland iutted out into the water
otherwise here was nothing in sight
but sea and swamp.
Fine prospect" remarked Blake
dryly. Wen be In luck II the fever
don't get the last or us inside a
month; and as for you two, you'd
have as much show of lasting n
month as a toad with a rattlesnake.
If II wasn't for Tom Blake--that's
my name-Tom Blake-and as long
ag this shiudy lasts you're vveicorna