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

However, our conversation lapsed at
last, through sheer wearlness on my
part. l had been at the steering oar
30 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
ticed this. for she exclaimed suddenly:
"why, never thought you must be
nearly dead with fatigue. Let me take
the oar while you sleep"
~ am afraid shall have to-" ad-
mitted. "for I must keep awake to-
night. You feel competentp
"Why, of course; you saw me steer.
n anything goes wrong / can call you
easily enough. Please lie down for a
few hours"
looked about. permitting her to
Grnsp the oar, and slip into my seat.
REALLY l feel rs II / must" l said
rcgretfully, "and there can be no dan
ger while things keep as they are. Call
me, though, II there is n change In the
weather, for that jury mast will never
stand any weight OF wind"
81 promise; but am a better boat
man than you think"
must have slept for several hours
vndisturbed. for when l finally opened
my eyes once more the sky above us
was beginning 10 turn purple with twi-
light. and the breeze had failed. so that
the sall flappcd idly against its impro-
vised mast. This, perhaps, was the
noise which hud aroused me. sat up
wide awake Instantly, and stared about
me In the boat. There was little
change noticeable; Miss Vera stlll
clung TO the steering oar. showing no
outward signs Of weariness, md greet
cd me with q smile and nod OF the
head; but McCann had moved forward,
and sat playing Idly with an open jack
knife.
IL bear testimony that you slept well,
Mr.. Hollls," the Girl said cheerfully.
III did not realize until lay down
how weary / was" replied, adopting
her manner. "but really you had no
right to let me lie so long. Why,
must have been sleeping three or four
hours, and you will be tired out"
"0h. no; II was no trick at all. The
wind kept steady until just n few mo-
ments ago. and do not feel In the
least fatigued."
"And you have seen nothing? nc
smoke, no sailf"
She shook her head. her eyes grown
grave.
"Not a thing: We seem TO be nbsc
lutely alone In the immensity Of tn,
sea-just one great wave after thu
other. lit gets on my nerves"
at certainly does; such n sight ha
driven more than one insane. Blu
what does this mean? Why is the bis
cult bag out heref
pointed to the bottom Of the boat
beyond her feet. Her eyes met mine
her answer made In whisper.
"He-he crept back here while I wa
adjusting my oar. and took two"
"McCann7" W tIt.
"Yes, he had the bag before I nc
ticed. and thought II best not to ange
him then. for he held that open knit
In his hand"
"You should have called me-"
''The mischief was done before ha
any time. Besides knew you needle
the sleep. What are you going to do :
smiled bit grimly, glimpsing hir
beneath the sail.
II am about to give Mr.. Fergus No
Cam, late of New York. little spec
men OF sea discipline which hope ma
last him for the remainder of this voy
age" replied quietly. Hold the boa
steady. Miss Vera, and leave me to al
tend to this degenerate son OF wealth.
crept forward. scarcely jarring tn
frail craft. and was beyond the jur
mast before the fellow had arouse
sufficiently from his knife play even {
note my approach. He stared at me In
solently, leaving the keen blade tren
bling In the plank.
"McCann," began. wasting no tim
In preliminaries, lifting myself on on
knee. and facing him. ''the young lad
says you took advantage OF my bcin
sound asleep to help yourself to bi.
cults; is that so?"
swell, what II did? was hungry.
$50 am I; so no doubt is the lad!
for the matter Of that. Hunger Is n
justification for stealing. You wer
not starving; you received exactly tn
same share we did. More than that,
have assumed command Of this boa