Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-31


upon it so often and in 50 many forms
that 1t had little power to stir him,
put a shipwreck, which would halt
his northward rush. was another mat
ter
Brennan stepped into the chart room.
out returned in Il moment to say:
There's no place to beach her this
side of Halibut bay"
How far is that?'
Five or six miles"
on ll-have to beach herr
I'm afraid so. She feels queer"
Up from the cabin deck came hand
ful OF men passengers to inquire what
had happened; behind them woman
began calling shrilly for her husband.
We touched a rock" the skipper ex.
planned briefly. Kindly 90 below and
stop that squawking. There's no dan
ger"
The captain rang for full speed. and
the decks began to strain as the engine
increased its labor. Get your passen-
gers out and stand by the boats be
ordered. Take it easy and don't alarm
the women. Have them dress warmly,
and don't allow any crowding by the
men. Mr.. Tomlinson, you hold the
steerage gang in check. Take your re-
! volver with you" He turned to his
silent friend. in whose presence he
seemed to feel a cheering sympathy.
Il knew it would come sooner or later,
Murray" he said. "But-magnificent
mummies. To touch on a clear night
with the sea like glass; He sighed
dolefuIy. 9TH be tough on my mis-
sus."
O'Neil laid hand upon his shoulder.
1T wasn't your fault, and there will
be room in the last boat for you. I'm
derstand|' Brennan hesitated, and the
other continued roughly: mo nonsense,
now.' Don't make dashed fool of
yourself by sticking to the bridge.
Promise?"
Il promise"
Now, what do you want me to do?"
Keep those dear passengers quiet
I'll run for Halibut bay, where there
a sandy beach. If she won't make it
I'll turn her into the rocks. Tell EN-
they won't wet foot if they keep their
heads"
Good! I'll be back to see that you
behave yourself" The speaker laughed
lightly and descended to the deck
hn
Stewards were pounding on stateroon
doors, half clad men were rushing
about aimlessly, pallid faces peeret
forth from windows, and there was tht
sound of running feet. of slammin:
dcGrs. of shrill, hystcrical voices.
O'Neil saw waiter humping lus
tily upon a door and heard him shOu
hoarsely:
Everybody out! The ship is sink
ing" AS he turned away Murray seiz
ed him roughly by the arm and. thrust
ing his face close to the others, SAT-
harshly:
IF you yell again like that III tos
you overheard"
'tt ucip Us we it GUMS
O'Neil shook the fellow until hi
teeth ratified. his own countenance. OF
dinarily so quiet. was blazing.
, There's no danger. Act like a ma
and don't start 4 stampede
, The steward pulled himself togethe
and answered in a calmer tone:
Very well. sir. lin sorry. sir
Murray O'Neil was known to mos
! Of the passengers, for his name ha
gone up and down the coast. and Their
Nome where his word did not carr
weight. AS he went among his felloy
, travellers now, smiling. self contained
r unruffled, his presence had its efec'
Women ceased their shrilling. me
stopped their senseless questions an
l listened to his directions with som
I comprehension. In a short time tn
/ passengers were EarShaled upon tn
! upper deck where the lifeboatS hun
: between the davits Each little Graf
was in charge of its allotted crew. tn
r electric lights continued TO burn brigh
~, and the panic gradually wore itsel
( out. Meanwhile the ship was runnin
q desperate race with the sea. strivin
: with every ounce of steam in her boi
9 ers to find a safe berth for her nut
e lated body before the thrush of water
: drowned her fires. That the race wa
] close even the dullest understood, fo
the Nebraska was settling forward an
S plowed into the night head down. Iik
q thing maddened with pain. She wa
becoming unmanageable, too. an
ONeil thought with pity of that littl
e ironhearted skipper on the bridge VIII
t was fighting her so furiously.
|. There was little confusion, little tall
Ing, upon the upper deck now. Only
child whimpered or a woman sobbe
r Historically. But down forward anon
?, the steerage passengers the case wa
different. These were mainly Mor
a tenegrins, Polacks or Slavs bound 70
l. the construction camps TO the west
:. ward, and they surged from side t
e side like cattle, requiring Tomlinson'
e bCSt CIol ID 10 heep luem liOH IuSillu
= aft.
s In these circumstances the wait be
$ came almost unbearable. The rae
seemed hours long. the miles stretche
s into leagues. and with every momen
e of suspense the ship sank lower. Tn
end came Unexpectedly. There was
n sudden startled outcry as the Nebrask
d struck for a second time that nigh
It She rose slightly, rolled and bumped
# grated briefly, then came to rest.