Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-19
4CONTRABAND"
"A Romance 0f the
North Atlantic
RANDALL PARRISH
Author = my Lady q the
North, " Maid af the Forest etc.
oopyright A. @. No ClurR 3 Co

The man leaning on the after rail
turned, and gazed down at us, shading
his eyes, and the heads of half dozen
others bobbed up above the forward
bulwarks. I could see the fellow aft
plainly now, broad, stockily built
man, with extremely red face, wearing
overalls, and q wooden shirt, open at
the throat. In appearance there was
nothing Of the officer about him, yet
1t was his voice which finally answered
my hail. sending deep, roaring note
across the waters.
"Hullo, there. Who are yer? From
some ship close by?"
1--WE are passengers from the Ameri-
can yacht Esmeralda, suisX in collision
two nights ago, and have been afloat
ever since. Can you take US aboard?"
Passengers, you say2 All Of yer
passengers?"
"Yes."
He turned, and spoke to the man
grasping the wheel, tall loose-jointed
: fellow in straw hat and pink shirt.
There was a moments argument be.
fore he returned to his position at the
rail.
II dunno as yer would be much bet
ter off along with us than yer are thar
In the dinghy" he called inditferently.
"For, in manner O. speakin, we're no
more than q wreck. I reckon thar
amt no one among yer who knows how
to navigator"
l stood up, following my hands to
make my voice carry more clearly.
''That is not very sailorlike speech,
my friend" I shouted, yet striving to
conceal anger. But as you put hui
manity on those terms, I'll answer you.
I have been in the merchant service,
and commanded ships"
"Well? Is that 80? Sail, or steamT'
"Steam-the old Atlas line. Do you
take us aboard?"
He did not answer directly, but had
lost his air of Indifference, str1ding
forward to the end Of the poop, and
giving orders to the men forward. The
black heads adjoining the forecastle
rail disappeared, and moment later
the round. red face again appeared.
aye, we'll take yer, sir" he called
down, q touch Of Difference in his
hoarse voice. "Ye'u understand the
trouble once yer come aboard. Yer
oil able to climb, I reckon?"
1--WE have woman with u.s."
It'll be quite a Job to rig up a
swing, sir"
turned and looked at her; then up
the straight steel sides looming before
us, but before I could speak, she had
made decision.
II can 60, up the ladder, Mr.. Hollis, "
she said firmly. II am not afraid"
"All right" I called. "Lower away,
and send man down to steady it be-
low"
The little dinghy swept in easily,
and, under my directions, Mccain awk-
wardly Tended it off from scraping
against the steel sides. AS the rope
ladder Strengthened, caught the lower
coil. and held 1t firmly Down the rat
lines, hand over hand, until he dropped
sprawling into the boat, came one Of
the crew-a coal black negro. The
fellow above, now standing on the
rail and clinging to a backstay, roared
down at him.
"Haul her In, Simms; haul her in.
That's more like it. Now hold all
taut. Send up the lady first, captain ;
there'll be handeto help her in the
chains"
She did not hesitate, grasping the
rope firmly In her hands as the negro
and lifted her high enough to get
1oOthold.
"You are all right, Miss Vera?"
"Yes," she called down.
''Then go up, but hold tight; the
vessel may roll" Isa,
Mccain followed, too glad to thus
escape me to refuse, yet plainly enough
half dead with fear. AS soon as saw
his legs dangling, while the seamen
above dragged him inboard, I drew
myself up to the lower ratline, leaving
the negro alone to hold the line.
Hey. above there" shouted. "What
shall we do with the boat?"
..Let her go: there is no room to stow
II on deck. Come aboard. Simms.'