The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-09-22

''At''' HA Wv
panic stricken flight, Gray, Tollemache,
'hristobal, the French count and the
mead steward, not knowing what new
catastrophe threatened, brought Mr..
Somerville and the almost inanimate
women with them, leaving to their
fate those who, like Boyle, We're ma
BILE to move. Some of the mob rushed
mp the bridge companions: others made
for the after ladders used only by sail
ors: others again swung themselves to
the spar deck by the rails and avn
ing standards. Even before Courtenay
could reach the scene both the second
and third officers were stabbed, this
time mortally. He saw one Of the in
furiated mutineers heave the third Of
fcer's body overheard, a final quit
lance for some injury previously re-
ceived.
He emptied his revolver into the tum-
bling mass of men, but he was swept
aside by the fresh gang from the salon
and perhaps owed his escape from in
slant death by falling on the slippery
deck. He was up again, shouting, en-
treating, striking right and left, but he
felt bitterly that his efforts now We're
Of no avail, and he bethought him
that there was only n o left.
These frenZied wretches would destroy
themselves and all others, so if he
would save w n few of the lives in
trusted to his care at least one Of the
boats must be protected. The struggle
was %fercest for the possession OF two
lifeboats. BY a determined effort the
jolly boat might be secured.
So he ran to obtain help from the
few he could trust, from the tiny COM
pany of white men he had left in the
salon. He met them, a forlorn pro-
c%ession, coming up the bridge. The
all powerful instinct Of self preserva-
ton, aided, 10 doubt, by the singing,
d%renching showers Of spray, had gone
far toward terminating Isobel and her
maid, while Mrs. Somerville, a woman
advanced in years, was able to walk,
though benumbed with the sudden
cold. Courtenay unlocked the door of
his cabin. Elsie, her face pale and
tear stained, but outwardly composed,
was yet standing near the table, and
the dog sprang from her arms the mo
ment his master appeared.
THANK God" she said, all Of a flut.
ter now that the solitary waiting for
a death which anne not was ended. 81
feared I should never see you again.
Is the ship lost?'
The wild soughing of the wind rem.
dered her words indistinct, and the
captain had no time for explanations.
I'm here" he shouted to Gray, who
had helped 1sobel to enter the chart
room, the first refuge available on this
exposed deck.
SHARP with it" he Numbered when
1sobel was unwilling to face the storm
again. The mel took their cue from
his imperative tone. Gray clasped $50
bel in his arms and lifted her bodily
through the doorway. The others fol
lowed his example. Soon the three
women were with Elsie in the cabin
1sobel. by sheer reaction from her pre-
vious hysteria, was sullen now ant
needless of al considerations save le1
WI misery. When she set eyes OF
Elsie she snapped out:
You here?"
Eyes. Captain Courtenay brought me
to his cabin after our return from the
fore salon."
ooh, did he: And he left me Will
those devils beneath"
They both heard C~ourtenay's hurried
order:
Leave the ladies here until we ca1
come for them. Follow me at once"
The o. slammed behind the men
Elsie helped Mrs. Somerville to a chair
Then she turned to Isobel and sale
gently:
ut is a slight thing to discuss whel
any moment may be our last. but tn,
captain placed me here while he wen
to bring YOU. He had gone only a few
seconds when the ship struck
The crest of a wave combed owe
the upper works and pounded the SOLE
beams and planks of the cabin unit
they creaked. The ship lifted some
what as the sea envcloped her.
"Oh, this is awful!.' Shrieked Isohel
"1f I must die, let me die quickly.
shall go mad.'
Calm yourself, dear. There must b
an end of our sufferings soon. Pei
. hans we may escape eve yet
| Yes, l know. If any one is save,
it will be you. You left me down Their
to take my chance among those tiend>
You have been here hours With YOU
precious captain, nc doubt. Were Ii
looking after his ship this might nc
have happened. Why did l ever com
on this wretched vessel. and wit
you, who ran away from Nentana?
should have been warned by it. Who
he could work me nc other evil h
L e II you. Oh. YOU have taken a fin
vengeance, Pedro Nentana. May 70
2 be denied mercy as | am denied
e now. Go away. If YOU touch me
shall strike YOU. | hate YOU. l te