The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-11-08

pocket. and the knife also. He win
make no more trouble. Come, we will
divide n biscuit between US, and then
II will be your turn TO lie down."
"But doesn't McCann have any?"
"IIe has had more than his share al
ready. I'll offer him n swallow of wa
ter-that's all. imagine the way his
head feels, he has forgotten all about
being hungry"
"You had to strike hlm7"
"Slightly, mere tap OF sea discl-
pline," and s,>nced mt my knuckles.
"Iie was armed, you know, and ] could
take no chances. There Is no harm
done. Come; are you not tired enough
to rest?"
She glanced up into my face.
"You viii call me at midnight, II /
fall asleep?'
'If l feel worn out then, and the
sen keeps as IL is, or no worse. There,
take my coat for pillow. No. really
shall not need II this Is an ideal sum
mer night, but we are out of the track
of ships"
one?"
II have every faith In the world" /
answered heartily, determined to con-
ceal my doubts. 'If the weather holds
pleasant, we should be far enough
south by morning to be In the north
Atlantic lane between New York and
Liverpool. Lie down, and rest, Miss
Vera; there Is no sign OF any storm
brewing, and tomorrow you'll probably
have the deck of liner under your
feet"
know not how much she may have
believed of what said but she smiled
me cheerful goodnight, and lay down
in the bottom of the boat, my coat fold
ed under her head. She rested there
motlonless, her face Swallowed by one
arm, and very soon her regular breath
ing convinced me she slept like tired
child. looked Mt her shadowy figure;
then forward to where McCann hung
silent In the bows.
What II we should not overhaul a
ship? What II 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
ly 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 glbbering idiot.
My God must stop thinking |
fnitst be man for her sake; aye, and
rtpiInImy self-control, so as to do n
mQps work to the end.
At midnight the wind was at it's
height, and did not call the girl, as j
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.
Forward McCann had slowed himself
away beyond the bow thwart, and I
could see nothing OF him under the
blight OF the sail. I was the only one
awake In the leaping boat, fighting Its
desperate way through black waters
under the dull CLEAN of the stars.
| Il
the horizon before the girl finally
awoke. and sat up In the bottom OF the
boat. staring about her with wide-open
eyes, as though startled by the change
in the inspect of the sen. Finally she
lifted herself to the nearest thwart
and greeted me reproachfully.
"You have let me sleep all night, and
lying on your coat. You must be tired
nearly to DEATH"
"Far from IL; and we are to ht
blessed with another day OF sunshine
Perhaps by afternoon the sea will have
gone down, and l can get n nap. Are
you ready for breakfast?"
My explanation did not satisfy her
could read that in the expression OF
her face. but she made no further pro
test.
she drew out the biscuits from tn,
locker. broke one In two, and handed
the half to me. Still cllnglng to tn,
bag, her glance fell upon the slouchlns
figure OF Mccain In the bow, and ther
her eyes sought my face questionngly
"You nre not going to offer hin
any?"
"He deserves none; he has alread.
had more than both of us together
How many are left?"
"Seven fit to eat. But" she hest
tated, yet went on bravely enough
"please, he is not accustomed to belni
deprived of food, and Is really suffer
ing. Let him have my share, for an
not at all hungry-truly am not.
II shall insist on your eating" l said
almost sternly. "Your share is llttl
enough to sustain life. II II comes I,
a choice between saving you, and tina
miserable thing yonder, my course q
taken. However grant your reques
now. although l doubt II he show
.ven gratitude. McCann"
He lifted his head, and stared aft
but without changing attitude.
Here is your ration. You do not de
serve bite, nor would you receive an.