The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-06
CHAPTER VII.
I Enforce Authority.

Scarcely had we taken this new
course when the sun, now well above
the horizon, a red ball of fire, burst
through a rift In the clouds, and the
waters in our wake became a trail of
crimson. The encircling mist seemed
rent asunder by some invisible power,
whirling away like wreaths of smoke
blown by the wind, and yielding US
broad view to where sky and ocean
met. Our strainipg eyes caught no
where signal Of life or hope, no CLEAN
of distant soil, no black shadow Of
smoke. We were alone in the drear
waste of water, with not even speed
ing seaguli to break the dull vista of
warning sea and sky.
l forced myself to turn away from
the grim fascination, back to the boat
In which we floated. McCann had sunk
down abaft the jury mast, and rested
there hanging over the side, staring
moodily down into the green water.
His heavy face exhibited no interest
and looked almost brutal in the garish
light. Lord. how the appearance of
the man had changed! Could this be
the same fellow had played cards
with on the quarterback of the Esmer-
aida only two days before? Why, then
he had been the life of the company,
full Of humor, a bit rough in speech to
be sure, and drinking more than was
necessary, yet apparently a good fel-
Low. But now-why, he actually had
the aspect Of brute; aye, and like
wise the manners Of one. A single
night Of danger and exposure had suf.
hced to bring to the surface his true
character, had stripped off the veneer,
and proven him n bullying coward, in
efficient, and unwilling. felt my teeth
close tightly as / looked at him, but
relief came when / turned toward the
girl, seated near me. She must have
felt the intentness with which / re-
garded her, for she turned suddenly, a
flush sweeping her cheeks.
isn't 1t wonderful, Mr.. Hollis, the
way those clouds and waves blend
yonder, such a marvellous massing of
colOrsf Oh, there is no beauty like the
sea ~
But always cruelty In its beauty,
like that of a tiger cat" answered.
"Perhaps we had better breakfast,
Miss Vera; let me see your bag of bis
cults by daylight"
She brought them forth, together
with the jug. A little sea water had
seeped into the. bag, and the outer lay
ers were more or less mildewed, yet
enough remained sweet and wholesome
to give me hope OF their sustaining us
until we should be picked up by some
passing vessel. The water jug, how
ever, was only half-filled and must be
sparingly used.
1--WE will go on short rations'' I an
nounced, breaking a biscuit with my
knife. "Just enough to keep us from
starving. Here, McCann, is your por-
tion."
He reached out and took what I
handed him; then gave utterance to a
curse.
MY God! do you mean l am to
breakfast on this half biscuit2" he ex-
claimed angrily.
ION that, or on none at ALL" / an
swered, cycling him sternly. "You
haven't done so much work as to earn
double rations. give you the same as
In this bag, and heaven knows when
we shall meet a ship"
"Ship, hi We are not far from
Long Island"
"Two hundred miles at least, and
with this jury rig we should have to
make some wide tacks on that course.
Take what I give you. man, and be de-
cent about It,"
He grumbled something regarding
his belief that I was keeping most of
the food for myself, but broke in, de-
termined to end the discussion:
That's talk enough. Eat your half
biscuit the same as we do, and be
thankful you have got that; and when
you come to the water, one swallow
each will be all we are entitled to. You
hear meT
'"Yes. I hear you; but who in thun-
der are your
"The only seaman on board, McCann,
and the life Of this young lady, as well
as-xoQx QXa. depeRds on Ipy tudgment