Meade County news., 1917-10-11
CHAPTER VII-continued.

However, our conversation lapSed at
last, through sheer weariness on my
part had been at the steering oar
go long, staring out into that drear ex-
panse Of ocean and sky, that every
muscle of my body ached, and my eyes
could scarcely be forced to remain
open. In the silence she must have no
decd this, for she exclaimed suddenly:
"Why, never thought | you must be
nearly dead with fatigue. Let me take
the oar while you Sleep" 49,
II am afraid shall have to-" ad-
mitted, "for l must keep awake to-
aight. You feel competent?"
"Why, Of course; you saw me steer.
II anything goes wrong I can call you
easily enough. Please lie down for a
few hours"
I looked about, permitting her to
grasp the oar, and slip into my seat.
"Really feel as If 1 must" 1 said
regretfully, "and there can be no dan
ger while things keep as they are. Call
me, though, if there is a change in the
weather, for that jury mast will never
stand any weight Of wind"
II promise; but am a better boat
Cnan than you think"
must have slept for several hours
undisturbed, for, when 1 finally opened
my eyes once more the sky above us
was beginning to turn purple with twi-
tight, and the breeze had failed, so that
the sail tapped Idly against Its impro-
vised mast. This, perhaps, was the
nOise which had aroused me. sat up
wide awake instantly, and stared about
me in the boat. There was little
change noticeable; Miss Vera still
clung to the steering oar, showing no
outward signs Of wsariness, and greet
ed me with a gmile and nod of the
head; but McCann had moved forward,
and sat playing idly with an open jack
knife.
II bear testimony that you slept well,
Mr.. Hollis" the girl said cheerfully.
Il did not realize until 1 lay down
how weary was" replied, adopting
her manner, "but really you had no
right to let me lie so long. Why, 1
must have been sleeping three or four
hours, and you will be tired out"
"0h, no; 1t was no trick at all. The
wind kept steady until just few mo-
ments ago, and 1 do not feel In the
least fatigued."
"And you have seen nothing? no
smoke, no sail?"
She shook her head, her eyes grown
grave.
"Not thing; we seem to be abso-
lutely alone In the immensity of the
sea-just one great wave after the
other. lit gets on my nerves."
'Tt certainly does; such sight has
driven more than one insane. But
what does this mean? Why is the bis
cult bag out here?"
pointed TO the bottom Of the boat,
beyond her feet. Her eyes met mine,
her answer made in a whisper.
"He-he crept back here while I was
adjusting my oar, and took two"
"McCann"
Eyes, he had the bag before no.
ticed, and thought it best not to anger
him then, for he held that open knife
In his hand"
"You should have called me-"
1.-THE mischief was done before I had
any time. Besides knew you needed
the sleep. What are you going to do?"
smiled bit grimly, glimpsing him
beneath the sail.
II am about to give Mr.. Fergus Nc
Cam, late Of New York, little speci-
men Of sea discipline which hope may
last him for the remainder Of this voy-
age" replied quietly. "Hold the boat
steady, Miss Vera, and leave me to at
tend to this degenerate son of wealth"
crept forward, scarcely jarring the
frail craft. and was beyond the jury
mast before the fellow had aroused
sufficiently from his knife play even to
note my approach. He stared at me In
solently, leaving the keen blade trem-
bling in the plank.
''McCann," began, wasting no time
in preliminaries, lifting myself on one
knee, and facing him, "the young lady
says you took advantage of my being
sound asleep to help yourself to bis
cults; is that so?"
swell, what If 1 did? was hungry"
$50 am 1; so no doubt is the lady,
for the matter of that. Hunger is no
justification for stealing. You were
not starving; you received exactly the
same share we did. More than that,
have assumed command of this boat,