Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-17
AN~~>~~ - ~~~NNS
Copyright A. g. No Clurg 4 Co

NV eyes left her face to survey :he
others, and the cockleshell in which we
floated. The little boat bore up brave
ly under its load, although White and
Olson were both bailing, and my eyes
took note Of several chnrred spots
along the gunwale showing the touch
Of fire. Leayord was at the tiller, and
seemed to comprehend all that l was
most eager to learn.
"Yes, we're still afloat. SIR" he said,
with a sailors hopefulness. "But It's
Gods mercy. BY every token we
should have been blown out Of the
water when the Indian Chief exploded.
but somehow the gust Of 1t didn't hit
us. We was showered with fire, an hit
by a lot of flynn stuff. but nuthin' to
wreck the boat. White had his arm
broke by a piece O. timber, aa' an oar
went overheard. But how we ever kept
right side up in this little dinky boat
when tibet big iron pot sunk is more'n
enybody but God could tell. We just
couldn't do nuthin' but just hang on.
We wus way up there. sir, scrapin'
the clouds, an then down In a hollow
that seemed a mile deep; an when we
come up out o. that, there you was, sir.
shootin' out O. the waves straight at
us. The girl. she saw you an
screamed; she'd have gone over after
yer, If I hadn't grabbed her, an then
Red he got boat hook inter the collar
Of yer jacket, an we hauled yer In
over the side"
"That must have been hours ago."
"Qulte spell, sir. Something he'd
hit yer head, an it bled a bit. The
young lady has been a-holdin' yer on
her lap ever since; she tore her
skirt
"Never mind that, Mr.. Leayord," she
interrupted, I'VE all Of us did what we
could. Olson, will you pass back a
biscuit and water bottle; Captain
Hollis will regain strength If he has
something to eat"
smiled at her, and accepted the
biscuit.
"How are we fixed on food? I only
want my share"
1--WE have had one apiece; there were
two bags thrown in; we can thank Nc
Cam for that, the poor devil"
The memory of that spectacle of hor-
ror witnessed on the blazing deck
came suddenly back to me, and I hid
my eyes, every muscle Of my weakened
body trembling. felt Vera's arms hold
me tight.
"What is it, Robert? You are in
pain?"
"No; the suffering was mental, not
physical. II saw McCann's death ;
that was what held me on board so
long. Bascom got him; they-they
went down together, fighting in each
others arms, in sheet of flame. No
words can picture the horror Of 1t.
Let's not talk Of that any longer. IL
must keep my mind"
eyes, dear, we will not talk Of It,"
tenderly. "Our own situation is sure
ly bad enough; you must tell the men
what to do
1 lifted myself, strengthened by the
appeal, eager to be diverted.
"The boat is taking in water?"
"Not great deal, sir; she Is so deep
loaded some splashes over the gunwale.
We're all right so long as the sea keeps
like 1t is now"
care you steering by compass?"
"No, sir by sun. I just naturally
headed west; that's the nearest coast,
I reckon? Are these fishing seas, sir?"
"The best in the world. I've often
read Of dory crews being lost In the
winter fog, and yet making land In
spite of the storm and cold. If they
can do it in such weather, there Is no
call for us to give up while the boat
floats. The first job should be to rig
n sail; there is one oar left?"
"Aye, sir, and paddle"
"Good enough. Red, cut hole in
that forward thwart with your sheath
knife; not too large now. Any can
vas aboard?"
"Only these strips"
''They'Il do for stays, and to make
secure. The sail will have to be shirt
Olson, how about yours?"
He peeled it off without word, and
helped me fasten it to the oar blade.
It was rough bit Of work, yet served
the purpose, and when we had stepped
the improvised mast, braclng 1t rs best
We corS7 with the middle, and the ont