Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-12-13

to right herself once more, every um-
Der grooming in agony, the salt spume
Of the sea blown into our faces.
Once beyond the overreach on the
cabin we found opportunity to stand
erect, gripping the iron supports which
had sustained the awning above the
after deck. In the dim rays of the Ian
tern the scene was one of utter wreck
and %desolation. There had been four
boats hung in davits above the rails;
two Of them weresgone; M hung trail
ing overheard, half submerged, with
the bow still swinging to the tackle;
the fourth had been smashed into kin
ding. l staggered across to. where I
could look down at the dangling craft,
holding my lantern out over the rail.
1t was broken amidships and useless,
but damned under a thwart lay q
mans body; the CLEAN Of light rested
on the upturned face, and I recognized
with horror the features of Fosdick.
Sickened, covering my eyes with one
arm, I chung to the shattered rail, COM
4 pIClCiy III SSas III fOlSC VI L1lG
girl aroused me, brought me back to
manhood.
"Mr. Hollis, the dory is still here!"
I swept the lantern about, confused,
and unable to locate the sound. Nc
Cam was crouching against the cabin,
but the woman, aided by the flag
locker, had crept aft, and now leaned
o,,4 o1,o 4Jo c+o,.p roi1 owl WA oo;o+
ing eagerly down into the black water.
I worked my way cautiously forward
to where she chung, the lantern swung
oversize, it's small ring of light giving
me view of the whole uptilted stern.
The dory, which had evidently been
left trailing astern, was actually afloat,
although half filled, and her oars,
jammed securely under a thwart, were
still in place.
The position of the vessel, the water
logged condition of the smaller craft,
told me at a glance the whole story.
What was left of the crew of the Els
meralda, together with those guests
who had lived to attain the deck, had
made their escape ia the two missing
OOSlIS "llCy HOulu 1lOlu INSlllS GlCll,
and were strong and seaworthy. No
doubt the smashed one there had been
lowered first, but the tackle jammed,
and in the wreck Fosdick had been
killed. The others had clambered
aboard the two left, leaving him
crushed behind.
The sight of the little craft, stanch
and buoyant, bobbing about just below
us in the glow of light, brought. back
my. courage. Az, there was 4 chance
here; we could get free Of the doomed
yacht; we We're not to perish like
drowning rats; helplessly. To be sure.
the boat was a small one, a mere
dinghy intended for use in smooth wa
tcrs; why they had continued trailing
it astern so far at sea was a mystery;
yet it would bear the three Of us unless
a storm arose. There was no time to
q seek either blankets or provisions, nor
was there any fresh water to be had
Fbut at least we need not go down with
the ship. We had still a hope of res
cue, a fighting chance-God be thanked
for that!
My hand closed over hers as she
turned and looked at me. Never in any
eyes have l seen such glimpse Of
steady courage.
"Thc boat is strong, stanch; she
will carry us, Mr.. Hollis?"
FAY this is better than I dared hope.
But there is no time to lose; the yacht
is settling fast-see those bubbles Of
air! Why, I can almost feel the
droop Of the planks beneath. my feet.
Here, Mccain, bear q hand! Pull your
self up by that flag locker; now get a
grip here. Are you sailor enough to
slide down that rope?'
He stared at the boat, bobbing up
and down on the black water, with
lackluster eyes.
"It-it will sink" he half, sobDed,
"it-it is almost full of water"
"Sink nothing" my disgust rising
beyond control. 1T will hold twice
your weight. Down with you, and bail.
Then stand by to help the lady. Over
you CO. my lad, if I have to pitch you
headlong; this is nc time to argue the
matter. Will you try it quietly?"
He stared up into my face, but his
fear Of me must have been greater
than of tn. tapping water below, for
the strands Of the rope slipped through
his fingers, and an instant later he
clambered into the bow Of the boat,
and sank onto his knees in the water.
To my relief the dory did not sink
greatly beneath his weight, the water
shipped proving scarcely ankle deep.
It would support the three Of us with
out bailing. The yacht rolled to star
board, fairly burying her rail. I thought
she would never rise again, and my
arms clasped. the girl to hold her
steady. Then the hulk rose slowly,
painfully, like a giant struggling for
one last breath. No words can describe
b dead. SOdden feeling 0f the sinking