The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-05

'I ake t7e 1Irl-quIck." he InPioreo- ward faster and faster. At last they heard a shuddering sigh as she parted from the rocks and the air rushed up through the deck openings with greater force. The Nebraska swung slI sishly with the tide; then, when her upper structure had settled flush with the sea, Murray O'Neil took the woman in his arms and leaped clear of the rail.
 The first gasping moment of inner sion was fairly paralyzing; after that the reaction came, and the two began to struggle away from the sinking ship. But the effect of the reaction soon wore off. The water was cruelty cold and their bodies ached in every nerve and fiber. O'Neil did his best to en- courage his companion. He talked to her through his chattering teeth, and cnce she had recovered from the mem tai shock of the first fearful plunge she responded pluckily. He knew that his own heart was normal and strong, but he feared that the girls might not be equal to the strain
 At length there came through the mans dazed sensibilities a sound diff ferent from those he had been hearing. It was a human voice, mingled, with the measured thud of oars in their sockets. It reused him like an electric current and gave him strength to cry out hoarsely. Some one answered him. Then, out of the darkness to seaYard emerged deeper blot, which 1oomed up hugely, yet proved to be no more than Hfeboat banked full of people. It came to a stop within an oars length of him. From the babble of voices he distinguished one that was familiar and cried the name of Johnny Bren- nan. His brain had cleared now, a great dreamlil1e sense of thanksgiving warmed him, and he felt equal to any effort. He was vaguely amazed to find that his limbs refused to obey him.
 His own name was being pronounced in shocked tones. The splash from an oar filled his face and strangled him, 1 but he managed to lay hold of the | blade and was drawn in until out stretched hands seized him.
 An oarsman was saying: t'Be careful there! We can't take him in without swamping'
 1 But Brennan's voice shouted, Make room or I'll bash in your bloody skull.'' Another protest arose, and O'Neil saw that the craft was indeed loaded to the gunwales. l ''I'1 hang on. You can-tow me- The limp form was removed from his side and dragged over the thwarts while mur1nur of excited voices went up.
 Gan you hold out for minute, Nfurray?" asked Brennan. 'tYes-I think so.''
 .sPd give you my place, but you're | too big to be taken in without dan | ger''
 -sGo ahead,'' chattered the man in l the water. Look after theSgirli before l it's-too late.''
 The captains stout hand was in his collar now, and he heard him crying: l Pull, you muscle bound heathens, Everybody sit still. Now away with her, men. Keep up your heart, Mur- ray, my boy. Remember it takes more than water to kill good Irishman. I It's only 8 foot or two farther, and ehey've started fire. Serves you 1 tight, you big idiot, for going over board with all those boats. Man dear, l but you're pulling the. arm out of me. It's stretched out like garden hose. Hey! Cover up that girl, and you, lady. rub her feet and hands. Good. Move
 over please so the men can bail"
 The next iO'Neil knew he was feeling
 very miserable and very cold notwith
 standing the fact that he was wrapped
 in dry clothing and lay so close to g
 roaring sprsce fire that it's heat blis l tered him.
 Brennan was bending over him witt
 eyes wet. He was swearing, too, in 2
 weak, faltering way, calling upon al
 the saints to witness that the prostratt
 man was the embodiment of every vir
 tue and that his death would be z
 national calamity. Others were gath
 cred about, men and women, an(
 among them O'NeiI saw the doctor , from Sitka whom he had met ship 1 Iloa rd