The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-01-18
CHAPTER XIII.
pebaele.


The Trouble, meantime, was closing
In upon the scene of tragedy with little
less than locomotive speed. Whitaker
applied the reversing gear; then, while
the engine reversed with a heavy and
resentful pounding in the cylinder
heads, he began to strip Off his coat.
The boat, moving forward despite the
resistance OF the propeller, drove
heavily against the wreck, broadside to
ats stern. AS this happened Whitaker
ieaped to the wreck just in time to
grasp the coaming and hold on against
the onslaught of a hurtIIng comber.
Ihunderings benumbed him, and he be-
gan to strangle before it passed. =.
He found himself filing his lungs
with free air and fighting his way to-
ward the cabin doors through the wa
ter waist deep. In another breath he
mad torn them open, wide, discovering
tne woman, her head and shoulders
showing above the flood as she stood
upon q transom. near the doorway,
Srasping stanchlon for support. Her
eyes met his, black and blank with ter
ror. He snatched through sheer In
stinct at a circular life preserver that
hoated out toward him, and simultane-
ously managed to crook an arm round
her neck.
Again the sea buried them beneath
IONS OF raging dark water. Green light
nlngs flashed before his eyes, and in
MS ears there was a crashing like the
crack of doom. His head was split
ting, his heart on the point of breaking.
The wave passed on, roaring. He could
breathe. Now If ever
AS If stupefied beyond .sensibility,
the woman was passive to his hand
ing and he managed somehow to drag
ner from the cabin to the cockpit and
TO jam the life ring over her head and
Under one arm before the next wave
bore down upon them.
They came to the surface I'm the hol-
low OF deep, gray swaIe, fully fifty
'eet from the wreck. Whitaker re-
tained his grasp of the llfe-preserver
Tine. The woman fioated easily I'm the
support he fancied a CLEAN of live
her consciousness in her staring eyes,
ana noticed with curlously keen feel
ing OF satisfaction that she was not
only keeping her mouth closed, but had
done 50, apparently, while under water.
Then suddenly, the lift OF a wave dis
covered to him the contour Of the
shore. Instead Of being carried in to
she rOck-strewn beach, they were in
the grip Of a backwash which was
tearing them not only out OF immedl-
ate danger, but at the same time along
shore toward a point under whose lee
Re hoped 70 find less turbulent condl-
tlons.
Three times he essayed TO speak be-
Iofe he could wiring articulate sounds
from his cracked lips and burning
throat.
You ali right?"
sne replied with as much difficulty;
hes you may let
10 relax the swollen fingers that
sfasped the lifeline was pure torture.
ne attempted no further communion
tlon' None, indeed, was needed. II
was plain that she understood their
situation.
some minutes passed before ne be-
caIoe aware that they were closing IN
HuicEiy TO the shelving beach. He
slanced over his shoulder. They were
ON the line OF breakers. Behind them
= neaVy comber was surging In, crested
win snow, It's concave belly resembling
= vast sheet Of emerald. In another
moment u would be upon them. It
was the moment a seasoned swimmer
would seize.
Hls eye sought the girls. In hers he
IeaH understanding and assent. OF one
mind, they struck out with an their
'Uength. The combey overlook them,