Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-12-28
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silent in the bows.
What if we should not overhaul a
ship? What if some evil fate would
permit of our floating on unseen? And
there were few eatable biscuits left,
and barely cupful of tepid water. The
thought of what the end might be near
~ crazed me, as | sat there alone in
the silence and glOom--I could picture
those final hours of despair, as we lay
starved and helpless in the unguided
boat, the girl mercifully unconscious,
perhaps, and Mccain gibbering idiot.
My God! | must stop thinking! /
must be man for her sake; aye, and
retain my self-control, so as to do a
mans work to the end.
At midnight the wind was at it's
height, and | did not call the girl, as
dared not trust her to steer the craft
through such rough water. She slept
undisturbed, not even changing her pO-
sition, a mere dim outline at my feet.
harvard Mccain had slowed himself
Gveralls, and wooden shirt, open st
the throat. In appearance there was
nothing of the officer about him, yet
It was his voice which finally answered
my hail. sending a deep, roaring note
across the waters.
"Hullo, there. Who are yer? From
some ship close by?'
ave are passengers from the Ameri-
can yacht Esmeralda, sunk in collision
two nights ago, and have been af1oat
ever since. Can you take us abOard?"
Passengers, you say? All of yer
passengers?"
"Yes."
He turned, and spoke to the man
graSping the wheel, tall, loOse-jOinted
fellow in straw hat and pink shirt.
There was a moments argument be-
fore he returned to his position at the
rail.
81 dunno as yer would be much bet
ter off along with US than yer are thar
In the dinghy" he called indifferently.
1'For, in a manner o. speakin', we're no
more than a wreck. / reckon thar
amt no one among yer who knows how
to navigator"
l stood up, following my hands to
make my voice carry more clearly.
''That is not a very sailorlike speech,
my friend | shouted, yet striving to
conceal anger. But as you put hui
mainly on those terms, I'll answer you.
[ have been in the merchant service,
and commanded ships"
"Well? Is that so? SAIL or steam?"
"Steam-the old Atlas line. Do you
take us aboard?'
He did not answer directly, but had
lost his air of Indifference, striding
forward to the end of the poop, and
giving orders to the men forward. The
black heads adjoining the forecastle
rail disappeared, and a moment later
the round, red face again appeared.
"Aye, We'll take yer, SIR" he called
down, a touch of Difference in his
hoarse voice. "Ye'H understand the
trouble once yer come aboard. Yer
all able to climb, reckon?"
owe have a woman with u.s."
It'll be quite a job to rig up
swing, sir"
I turned and looked at her; then up
the straight steel sides looming before
US. but before l could speak, she had
made decision.
81 can go up the ladder, Mr. Hollis"
she said firmly. 81 am not afraid"
"All right" I called. 'Lower away,
and send man down to steady it be-
low
The little dinghy swept in easily,
and, under my directions, Mccain awk-
wardly Tended it off from scraping
against the steel sides. AS the rope
ladder Strengthened, caught the lower
coil, and held it firmly. Down the rat
lines, hand over hand, until he dropped
sprawling into the boat, came one of
the crew-a coal black negro. The
fellow above, now standing on the
rail and clinging to backstay, roared
down at him.
Haul her in, Simms; haul her in.
That's more like it. Now hold all
taut. Send up the lady first, captain;
there'll be a hand to help her in the
chains"
She did not hesitate, grasping the
rope firmly in her hands as the negro
and I lifted her high enough to get
foothold.
"You are all right, Miss Vera?"
Eyes" she called down.
''Then 60 up, but hold tight; the
vessel may roll
Mccain followed, too glad to thus
escape me to refuse, yet plainly enough
half dead with fear. AS soon as saw
his legs dangling while the seamen
above dragged him inboard, [ drew
myself up to the lower ratline, leaving
the negro alone to hold the line.
"Hey, above there" shouted. "What
shall we do with the bOat?"
''I.et her go there is no room to stow
it on deck. Come aboard, Simms."
We went up together, the ladder
swinging dizzily to our movements.
The voice of the man who seemed to be
in command growled down from the
poop:
Haul in the ladder, and stow it;