Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-12
Copyrtsht A. G. No Clurg B Co
CHAPTER vi.
. Adrift In the Boat

the dinghy now rising and falling on the
| swell caused by the plunge Of the
yacht. Mccain was upon his knees
clinging to the gunwales. his face
turned upward pleadingly toward the
light.
Catch this lantern. McCann." /
called down to him sharply. II will
swing 1t to you on the end Of q rope.
Easy, man! Now throw of the lash
ing, and make the giim secure on the
thwart behind you; better tie it to
the lock. Good; you'll make sailor
yet. Now listen: work your boat over
until you can get grip on the rudder
chains, and hold her steady-yes, to
your right: use one of the oars. Now
hang on-Tm going to send the lady
down; stand by to give her hand"
He did as l babe him in q fashion.
but was so awkward about 1t, won
dered the boat kept upright. Satisfied,
glanced aside at my silent companion.
Not very easy gangway, but the
best we have. Are you afraid?"
She smiled.
mot in the least, Mr.. Hollis; these
skirts are a nuisance, but can climb
like boy. Help me keep my balance
on the rail"
She was over so quickly can scarce
~ recall more than clasping her arm
and she went down the rope hand over
hand, as lightly as a sailor. By the
time she reached the boat, her body
| was half submerged in the water, but
Mccain gave her his hand, and assist
ed in dragging her in over the side.
II am all right, Mr., Hollis" she
called in her clear, steady voice. "Now
you come-come quick!"
Just q second more" l answered.
"Here Is the line: haul 1t in. Get out
your oars, Mccain. and pull. Don't
wait. or you'll be sucked down when
| the yacht sinks. Never mind me; I'll
Jump from the rail, and swim out to
you"
climbed onto the rail, gripping an
iron stanchion for support, and poised
myself for the plunge. The boat, sur
sounded by its little circle OF light,
drifted away. McCann awkwardly
struggling with the heavy oars. The
lantern rays fell full on the girls up
turned face. and once she held out her
hands In pleading gesture. 1t could
scarcely have been minute I hest
tated, yet suddenly beneath me came
a sound of rending wood, muffled ex-
plosion, and the deck reeled as though
burst asunder. I leaped straight out
ward, and went splashing down into
! the sea.
must have sunk deeply, for felt
no swirl of the waters, no suction, but
| when I came again to the surface,
| nothing was visible but the bobbing
lantern on the dinghy. The Esmeralda
| had disappeared. A faint cry reached
me, and l answered it, striking out
strongly toward the guiding light. Five
minutes later, dripping and a bit ex-
hausted-for I had been ashore long
whlle-I managed to Chamber IN over
the stern. Even as rested breathless
on the thwart, l realized that the girl
had crept aft, and her hands sought
mine.
"Oh, I am so glad" she sobbed, al
most historically. II was afraid; I
thought you went down with the
yacht"
''No such luck. jumped just as her
decks blew up. Is there anything In
sight7'
IL haven't looked; but there is no
sound, no light anywhere. Do you
suppose the steamer has really left
us7"
II have no doubt OF It," / answered,
but stood up SO as to see about more
clearly. "They supposed all who lived
had been picked up. and then continued
on their course"
Ny eyes ranged the horizon, but !
found nothing. We were alone on the
great ocean in the grasp Of the black
night. sat down again dazed for the
instant by the immensely Of the wa
ters the utter loneliness, and the sud-
den realization Of the nttleness Of this
cockleshell In which we fioated. Her
voice aroused me to comprehension
that alone was q sailor, and that on
me depended every chance for life.
do you know, Mr.. Hollis. where we
Iare7"
mot exactly. I heard the captain
state the position Of the yacht yester
day noon, about one hundred and fit,
miles east and south OF Montauk; ",
have drifted some since"
"Are we in the steamer lanesr
"Net ct the north Atlantic liners
they would pass farther eastward.
, cannot imagine what that fellow VIII
rammed us was doing up in here 80 fal
out Of his course. Yes, that was /
liner; could see the lights Of he,
t ports. The only vessel passing alonl
here will be coasters, or, BY luck, pos
sibly some tramp bound Boston way
Now let's see what Is on board try tn,
! locker forward; and Miss Vera, 20,
. might examine beneath the stern sheet
This boat has never been inboard sine
!. V sailed, CO J. o..,,.....,
i u ~ ~