Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-05

either wall with our fingers, but I
emerged into the cabin with caution.
fearing the possible presence there Of
Mccain, who might even have brought
man, or two, back on board to assist
him. The hanging lamp had been e1-
tinguished, or else 1t had burnt out
from lack Of oil, but there was faint
glimmer Of light in Miss Carrington's
stateroom, enabling me to discover at
glance that the main cabin was unoc-
cupied. Her door stood wide open, but
with no signs of confusion within.
What had happened7 There was
nothing to tell me the truth. Had Nc
Cam succeeded in inducing her to ac-
company him on deck? Had he taken
her there by force? or, had the girl
finally yielded to his insistence, after
exhausting every form Of delay, her
last faith in my return having van
ished? Nothing remained but to follow
them, and find out what had occurred,
and. II not already too late, attempt q
rescue.
There's no one here" said in a
whisper. "we'l try the deck; quiet
both Of you"
We reached the head Of the stairs on
our hands and knees. I had my re-
volver gripped in my fingers, Leayord
his iron bar, while Olson had found a
Ratchet somewhere In the darkness.
The companion door was but half
closed, and I squeezed my body
through the opening, assured no one
occupied that immediate portion of
deck. The other two followed noiseless-
ly, and we huddled close together in
the black shadow Of the cabin. So still
1t was I could hear their breathing,
and my eyes, trained by long service in
the darkness below, were able to dis
hnguish objects forward beyond the
mainmast. There was nothing living
visible; to all appearances the ship
was totally deserted: the last strag-
glers had taken to the boats. Olson,
who lay next me on the deck jerked my
sleeve, his uplifted hand pointing to-
ward the starboard rail amidships.
There's two of EN-" he whispered.
Ny eyes caught the indisunct out
lines, unable for the instant to make
them appear human. Indeed was
still in doubt when McCann's voice,
with the old hateful sound In 1t, called
Into the darkness:
"Below there; are you still fast?"
"Aye, fast enough, an blamed tired
o. holdin' on" grumbled someone below
testify. 'Why don't yer come along
DOWN.
I'm q minute. Is everyone in the
boats?"
II don't know nutbin' bout the
steward; nobody amt seen him yet.
less he got in somewhat else; nor
Tom Dugan. Tony SEE he's in the
cabin"
"Well. he isn't; just come up from
there. We won't wait for the blame
fool. You flooded. the engineroom,
Tony?"
"sure I did, with both cocks wide
open; there's five feet O. water in her
by now"
"Good; then it's time we're of. Send
q hand up here to help me, Liverpool
the girl won't go along"
The men below laughed at his trouble
"Can't yer handle that little bit o. Z
thing, misterf' sang out new voice.
without the help O. a sailor man?"
"Stow 1t, Joe Sachs" roared Red.
ana there was the dull tIluu u !. ass
blow. "Now up yer go to give the lady
lift, me lad. Jump er I'll take the
tiller ter yer next"
Sachs must have started his upward
climb, for McCann drew back from the
rail, and, as he did SO, the girl broke
free from his grasp. The man, how
ever, although apparently taken by sur
prise, was quick enough to get between
her and the companion. She only es-
capped the grip Of his hand by shrink
Ing back against the rail. ! was a.