The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-24


"Ah, I know, sir, that's what we
both think" answered Clouts with a
wise smile "But its just dream sir
l expect that German cruiser torpe-
decd us, instead of US torpedoing her
or maybe she sank us with her guns,
and we're going to wake up in a Ger
man hospital in Hamburg in moment.
You haven't pinched yourself, sir?"
Davies was shaken. He looked at
Clouts, blandly smiling at him. open
mouthed. He almost believed his the
DRY. Clouts. unequal to the strain
upon his limited mentality, had adopt
ed solution which seemed, under the
circumstances, feasible.
II think we'd better pinch each
other, SIR" said Clouts. Mrs. Clouts
always used to say. when in doubt"
But, breaking off at this. tuncture.
he pulled his mouth organ from his
pocket and blew the most disc0rdant
medley of dissonants that ever issued
from the apertures of that much
abused instrument.
To their amazement, the water was
lnstantaneously ehurned 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 onI' gasped Davies, and
they ran to save the F55 from sub
merSi0n.
Hardly had they succeeded in this
and reached the coming tower when
Donald appeared at the head of the
ladder below. His eyes were clear
again; it seemed as if his half-hour of
sleep had recreated him.
whats happened, Davies" he
asked.
"The monsters, They're all about
u.s." cried the MILDLY.
"Well, 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"
Nonsense" said Donald angrily.
"They've been with us all the time.
You don't expect that they can keep
on condensing hydrogen forever with
out taking rest, do you? Muscular
fatigue, Davies. HellO!"
He pointed through the observation
port, and, about a mile to port Of them,
they saw the mOtOrbOat, bobbing upon
the agitated waves.
"We've got him, Davies" said Don
aid. II knew it. I knew it all In my
sleep-the solution and-and-it's 60
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 of MacBeards
egress into the open sea. Then, at
Donald's 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.
some mighty organ. And the response
was instant.
For the third time the swarm, mad
dened by the call, leaped toward it's
leader. And as on Fair island, a tidal
bore came on. wall of water which
struck the F55 and rendered her help
less in an instant. 1t dashed her round
like 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.
It 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, 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 F55 struck they leapel
into the sea. They escaped the hid
den fangs Of the rocks almost by
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
bling among the waves. He was ap-
DArentlV clinpinp TO a DOint OF rock