The Arvada enterprise., 1916-11-23
CHAPTER xxlv-ContInued.


hours. l was wet and chilled to the
alive. My body was stiff from exer
ton as we'll as from cold, and my
aching muscles gave me the sever
est torture whenever l used them.
and used them continually. And all
the time we were being driven of
into the northwest, directly away
from Japan toward bleak Bering sea.
Maud's condition was pitiable. She
sat crouched In the bottom OF the
boat. her lips blue, her face gray and
plainly showing the pain she suffered.
But ever her eyes looked bravely at
me. and ever her lips uttered brave
words.
The worst Of the storm must have
blown that night. though little l no.
ticed 1t. had succumbed and slept
where ! sat in the sternsheets. The
morning of the fourth day found the
wind diminished to gentle whisper.
the sea dying down and the sun shin
ing upon us. Oh. the blessed sun!
How we bathed our poor bodies in its
delicious warmth, reviving like bugs
and crawling things after storm.
We smiled again, said amusing things
and waXed optimistic over our situa.
tion. Yet It was. II anything. worse
than ever
Came days OF storm. days and
nights OF storm. when the ocean men.
aced US with its roaring whitenesa.
and the wind smo:e our struggling
boat with a Titan's bufYets. II was In
such storm. and the worst we had
experienced. that what | saw ! could
not at first believe. Days and nights
OF sleeplessness and anxiety had
doubtless turned my head. | looked
back at Maud. to Identify myself. as
II were. In time and space. Again ]
turned my face to leeward. and again
! saw the jutting promontory. black
and high and naked. the raging surf
that broke about its base and beat its
front high up with spouting fountains.
the black and forbidding coast line
running toward the southeast and
fringed with tremendous scarf OF
white.
Maud" | said Maud"
She turned her head and beheId the
sight
1T cannot be Alaska" she cried.
Alas. no." | answered. and asked,
"Can you swim?"
She shook her head.
Neither can l." ! said. 80 we
must get ashore without swimming
In some opening between the rocks
through which we can drive the boat
and Chamber out. But We must be
Quick-and sure"
! spoke with a confidence she knew
] did not feel. for she looked Mt mo
with that unfatering sazo OF hers
and said:
u have not thanked you yet for all
you have done for mo. but"
She hcsitated. as II In doubt how
best TO word her gratitude.
'"Wcll?" | said. bru,ally. for was
not quite pleased with her thanking
me.
You might help me-" she smiled
ITO acknowledge your obligations
before you dic7 Not at all. We are
no, going to die. We shall land on
that island, and We shall be snug and
sheltered before the day In done"
! spoke s,outly. but | did not be.
licvc word Nor was | PROMPTED TO
lie through fear. ! felt no fear. though
] was sure OF death In that boiling
surge amongs the rocks which was
rapidly growing nearer. II was I'm
possible to claw OF that shore. Tn.
wind would instantly cnpsizc the
boat. tho seas would swamp II the
moment 1, 'cll into tho trough. and.
besides. the sail. lashod to the spare
oars, dragged In the sea ahead OF US.
Is 4 sea anchor.
tnstlBotiyoly We drew closer In.
rcther In the bottom Of tho boat,
Iol, her mlttcncd hand come out to
mines And thus, without speech we
v.iiod tho end We were no, far OF
= Nnc the wind made with tho west
ctp edge OF III. promontory. and
watched In the hope ,hn, Bome set Of
The current or send OF the sea would
am US past before w reached the
Aarf
We stall 60 clear" said. with .