Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-11-08

ed q solution which seemed, under the
circumstances, feasible.
81 think we'd better pinch each
other, sir" said Clouts. Mrs. ClOuts
always used to say, when in doubt"
But, breaking Off at this juncture,
he pulled his mouth organ from his
pocket and blew the most discordant
medley Of dissonants that ever issued
from the apertures of that much
abused instrument
To their amazement, the water was
instantaneOusly churned into foam all
round them. The F55 tossed like a
cork upon the waves. A fleeing mist
began to rise from the surface of the
ford.
"Hatches on" gasped Davies, and
they ran to save the F55 from sub
mersion.
Hardly had they succeeded in this
and reached the coming tower when
Donald appeared at the head of the
ladder below. His eyes We're clear
again; it seemed as if his half-hour of
sleep had recreated him.
whats happened, Dav1es?" he
asked
"The mOnsters They're oil about
us!' cried the MILDLY.
"Wen, of course" said Donald
"You don't suppose I came here on a
Wild-gOOse chase, do your"
'But you said we were beaten, sir,
and"
ECNroncopco -, ca;d Do,o15 o;1..
'They've been with us all the time.
You don't expect that they can keep
on condensing hydrogen forever with
out taking a rest, do you? Muscular
fatigue, Davies. Hello!"
He pointed through the observation
port, and, about mile to port of them,
they saw the mOtOrbOat, bObbing upon
the agitated waves.
''We've got him, Davies" said Don
aid. Il knew it. l knew it all in my
sleep-the solution and-and-it's go
ing to be all right"
They were amazed at his resolution.
He uttered his orders in a firm voice;
he seemed now absolutely sure of his
success. Through the port they
watched the mOtOrbOat tossing toward
them over the waves. They could
make out MacBeard's figure beside the
engines. Ida was doubtless within the
cabin.
up anchor, Clouts," said Donald
Davies, take the engines again."
Presently the submarine began to
move so as to cut off MacBeard's
egress into the open sea. Then, at
DOnalds command, they drew toward
the mOtorbOat.
MacBeard had seen them. He was
working frantically at the engine. The
inland sea still heaved, but it was be-
ginning to subside as the monsters, for
getful of Clouts' mouth organ, began
to draw toward the submarine again.
Then, for the third time, the i'm
prisoned queen gave the sWarming call.
The sound, soft, yet incredibly volu-
minous, rolled from the interior of the
ship and seemed to fill the universe.
It was like a deep, soft note upon
some mighty organ. And the response
was instant.
For the third time the swarm, mad
dened by the call, leaped toward its
leader. And, as on Fair island, tidal
bore came on, a wall of water which
struck the F55 and rendered her help
less in an instant It dashed her round
like a top, it drove her, uncomfortable,
before it. In an instant the steering
gear was disabled, and the vessel
skidded through the waves toward the
cliffs of the ford. which grew larger
with unbelievable swiftness.
1t was the last voyage Of the F55.
The battered old submarine which had
rendered such yeoman service, drove
hard on the rocks. A needle point
pierced her amidShipS, a score of razor
edges rent her TANKS. Slowly she sank.
still spinning, into the seething waters
that whipped the desOlate shore.
AS soon as they realized that moth
ing could be done, the three had gath
cred upon the deck and waited for the
disaster AS the F'55 struck they leaped
into the sea. They escaped the hid
den fangs Of the rocks almost by a
miracle. A few strokes, and Donald
found himself upon the shore, which
the waves were wildly flashing, and
helping Davies to scramble out.
They gasped a moment and recov-
cred their breath.
where's Clouts?" asked Donald
anXiously.
Then they saw the sailors head bob
bing among the waves. He was ap-
parently clinging to a point of rock
with one hand, while he thrust the
other down into the water.
"Clouts! Are you drowning?" Don
aid called.
A bubbling sound replied. Donald
waded into the sea. clinging to the pro-
jecting reef to save himself against the
pounding waves. AS he neared Clouts,
the latter Strengthened himself and
| sighed regretfully.
what is it, Clouts? Are you badly
| hurt?" asked Donald.
mo, sir" he gasped. But I've
| I've lost it, SirI''
| Donald grasped him and pulled him
| through the breakers to dry land I'M
| gently. At that moment Clouts had
! strained his patience severely with his
! lost mouth organ.
! Look, sir!'' said Davies, when the
| three stood together once more.
| Two hundred yards away Mac
| Beard and Ida were standing beside
| the motorboat. MacBeard's light craft,
built upon scientific principles of his