The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-09-15

of making Conception strait?" he ask
ed, pointing to the d%oubtfully marked
channel which separates Hanover n
Duke of York islands.
IF we set the mains'l we might bear
up a bit"
'"Try it."
Huh said Mr.. Boyle, and he was
off again into the spindrift.
BE it understood that the sails car
ried by a big vessel like the Kansas
are of little practical value save I'M
der certain conditions Of wind M sea,
when they are rugged to steady her
and thu give help to helm and pro-
peller. Still. they might serve now to
carry the ship a point or two toward
the north, and this was the sole ave
nue. of escape which remained.
Leaving the chart on the table, where
it was secured by drawing pins, Cour-
tenay went back to his cabin to obtain
a pair of sea boots. Seeing Joey sitting
on his tail and shivering, unable to
indulge in a comfortable lick because
l1C ltSlt vi Sd1l "oAS was liz IN
hunted for a padded macintosh coat
which he had procured for the dogs
protection in cold ATTITUDES. He ran
sacked two lockers before he found
it. Several articles were tumbled in a
heap on the floor in his haste, and
he did not trouble to pack them away
again. He buckled Joey into the gar
-,o,+ focto,oI hi. ou-n ni1c1-irc n md r.n-
| joined the second officer on the bridge.
A glance showed him the dark wall Of
the mainsail rising abaft the after fun
mel. The quartermaster at the wheel,
having recovered his wits, was keeping
the ships nose up to the wind by a
steady pressure to port. The gale was
as fierce as eve The second officer
| shouted in Courtenay's ear:
81 am afraid, sir, the wind has shift
ed a point..'
Courtenay looked at the compass.
The ship was bearing exactly north
east. He had hoped hat the sails
would enable her to shape due north
at least. Tnquestionably some spiteful
fend was urging her headlOng to ruin.
Had the wind but veered as much to
the south he might have CHANGED the
run through Conception strait or even
weathered Duke of York island. He
nodded to his Junior, whose presence
on the bridge was a mere matter Of
form owing to the powerless condition
of the ship and the ~impenetrable wrack
of foam and mist hat barred vision
ahead, and strobe off on a tour of in
spection. AS wind and sea were
beating more directly on the port side,
there was some degree Of shelter along
the covered-in deck to starhoard. He
found that two boats had been clear
ed Of their hamper and lowered Oh the
davits until they could be swung in on
the promenade deck. The men were
thus able to provision them more east
ly than in their exposed berths on the
spar deck. He watched the workers
for a few minutes, showed them how
to stow and lash some biscuit tins
more securely and continued his sur
yey, meaning to look in on Walker
and the doctor.
He had to pass the cabins set apart
for the two girls. The ports were
lighted. and through the window he
could see some one peering out at him,
Owing to the thickness of the glass
and it's blurred condition he could not
Isobel or IsobelS maid: but, whoever
it was, a hand seemed to signal to him
to open the door.
He unfastened the bolts and held
a half door slightly ajar. Joey. ever
eager to be out Of the pelting storm.
hoped inside. and Courtenay heard
Elsie exclaim:
life belt?"
"Do you wan anything?' asked
Courtenay through the chink.
Elsie smiled at him. She was wrap
ped in a heavy ulster and had a tam
o'-shanter tied firmly on her head by a
stout veil.
"Mr. Malcolm thought we had better
bring life belts from our cabins. I
came for mine. and l looked out and
saw you. I wanted to ask you what
had become of DR.. Christobal. | hope
you don't mind"
Not in the least. I am just going
to him. Would YOU care to Gomez
"Oh. l shall be most pleased.'
HE is attending the injured men,
you know, and there are others there
who are beyond his help
Perhaps l may be Of some assist
ance."
Come, then. When I open the door
step out quickly and hold tight to that
rail, and don't move until l tell YOU"
His manner was curt enough to please
the s%uperioress of a nunnery. Elsie was
awed instantly by the glimpse she OBJ
tanned Of the flying scud within the
narrow area of the salon lights, but
she obeyed directions and presently
found herself clinging desperately to
tho hroSc hand rail u,hirlo RON h,.ooyf