The Huttig news., 1917-10-06
CHAPTER VIII,
We Sioht a Tramp,

NohCu tlC lOlio"f lidt I 6uNC him another thought. I crept back to the stern, and took the steering oar, the girls eyes meeting mine question ingly.
 T could not see all that occurred, be- cause of the sail," she said. You dis armed the man?"
 "Yes, I have his revolver in my pocket, and the knife also. He will make no more trouble. Come, we will divide biscuit between HIS. and then 1t will be your turn to lie down."
 "But doesn't McCann have any?'
 ''He has had more than his share al- ready. I'll offer him a swallow of wa ter-that's all. imagine the way his head feels he has forgotten all about being hungry"
 "You had to strike him?'
 Slightly, mere tap of sea disci- pline," and I glanced at my knuckles. He was armed, you know, and l could take no chances. There is no harm done. Come; are you not tired enough to rest?"
 She glanced up into my face.
 "You will call me at midnight, If fall asleep?"
 If 1 feel worn out then, and the sea keeps as 1t Is, or no worse. There, take my coat for pillow. No, really shall not need 1t; this is an ideal sum- mer night, but we are out of the track of ships"
 ''But do you still believe we will find one?'
 T have every faith in the world" l answered heartily, determined to con- ceal my doubts. If the weather holds pleasant, we should be far enough south by morning to be in the north Atlantic lane between New York and Liverpool. Lie down, and rest, Miss Vera there Is no sign of any storm brewing, and tomorrow you'll probably have the deck of liner under your feet"
 know not how much she may have believed of what said, but she smiled me cheerful goodnight and lay down in the bottom of the boat, my coat fold ed under her head. She rested there motionless, her face shadowed by one arm, and very soon her regular breath ing convinced me she slept like tired child. looked at her shadowy figure then forward to where McCann hung silent in the bows.
 What if we should not overhaul ship? What if some evil fate would permit of our floating on unseen? And there were few eatable biscuits left, and barely a cupful of tepid water. The thought of what the end might be near ly crazed me, as I sat there alone in the silence and gloom-I could picture those final hours of despair, as we lay starved and helpless in the unguided boat, the girl mercifully unconscious, perhaps, and McCann gibbering idiot. My God I must stop thinking! must be man for her sake: aye, and retain my self-control, so as to do a mans work to the end
 At midnight the wind was at its height, and I did not call the girl, as dared not trust her to steer the craft through such rough water. She slept undisturbed, not even changing her po- sition, a mere dim outline at my feet. Forward McCann had slowed himself away beyond the bow thwart, and I ] could see nothing of him under the 1 blight of the sail. I was the only one awake in the leaping boat, fighting It's desperate way through black waters under the dull gleam of the stars.
 The sun had begun to show above the horizon before the girl finally aweke, and sat up in the bottom of the boat, staring about her with wide-open eyes, as though startled by the change In the aspect of the sea. Finally she lifted herself to the nearest thwart, and greeted me responsibility.
 "You have let me sleep all night, and lying on your coat. You must be tired nearly to death."
 "Far from 1t; and we are to be Perhaps by afternoon the sea will have gone down, and can get nap. Are you ready for breakfast?"
 My explanation did not satisfy her: I could read that in the expression of her face, but she made no further pro- test.
 She drew out the biscuits from the locker, broke one in two, and handed the half to me. Still clinging to the bag. her glance fell upon the slouching figure of McCann in the bow, and then her eyes sought my face Questioningly.
 You are not going to offer him any?"
 "He deserves none; he has already had more than both of us together. How many are left?"
 "Seven fit to eat. But" she hesi- tated, yet went on bravely enough, please, he Is not accustomed to being deprived of food, and is really suffer- ing. Let him have my share, for am not at all hungry-truly am not.
 'I shall insist on your eating," said, almost sternly. "Your share is. little enough to sustain life. If it comes to a choice between saving you, and that ;e