The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-09
CONC - hnd ] can get a nap.

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 Mccain 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 fl 70 eat. But" she hesi-
tatcd. Yet went on bravely enough,
please. he is not accustomed TO being
deprived Of food. ana is really suffer
luc. Let him have ny share. for l am
not at all hungry-truly am not.
II shall insist on your eating" said,
almost sternly. "Your share Is little
enough 10 sustain life. II 4 comes 70
a choice between saving you. and that
miserable thing yonder, my course IS
takeL. However. l grant your request
now, although l doubt II he shows
even gratitude. McCann.
He lifted his head, and stared aft,
but without changing attitude.
Here is your ration. You do not de-
serve bite, nor would you receive any
through me. You owe ,his 70 the lady
catch - now
He picked the half biscuit up from
the bottom Of the boat. where it fell at
his feet and began uiboling at it. like
a famiShed dog There WAS no sign OF
-hanHfulneSS in his action. and he con-
tinuot TO glare at us with one eye open
In Sullen inSclence.
The sun b,azed down upon US out
II clear sky. gliStening along the
foam of racing waves but as noon ap-
preached, the southern sky became
misty. the clouds Increasing in den.
S.ty until We could see only "A few
hundred yards beyond our bow. II
was not storm cloud and brough,
with it no fear Of disaster, but com
p!"tely blotted out the horizon. and
gave dark, sullen gloom to the sur.
rounding waters.
II must have been three o'clock when
Mccain suddenly gave vent 20 n
startled roar. strengthening 20 his
knees, and pointing straight ahead into
the smother. stared. but saw nothing
except the grotesque forms assumed by
the whirling mist. but Vera leaned out
over the side, shading her eyes. {,
what is IT." asked sharply.
make q report, man
"A ship yonder!" he shouted, but
without turning his head. Il saw 1t
plainly enough, but it has gone now"
/ II see 1t, Mr.. Hollis" the girl cried
/ cxcitedly. Right out there through
that lane of mist-its big steamer ~
straight ahead?'
Just little this way-there! you
can see her now!'
did, mere glimpse. instantly oh.
scured, but visible again a moment
later Mccain was on his feet, Ses,
ticulating wildly
"Now, d you :" he shouted, put
us on board there. and I'll show you
who l am. You brute, / dare you to
put us on board"
"Sit down. / ordered. "Now, keep
still, and stand by with that rope. I'll
put you aboard all right, but until do,
YOU will obey what / say, or go into
the water"
/ took my eyes off him, and stared
| AZ the vessel, conscious instantly that
! something was wrong. She was ap-
parently a big steel freighter, four
| thousand tons | guessed, her water line
| showing heavy cargo, and her bows
red with rust where the black paint
had disappeared. The foremast was
broken off at the tops, remaining a
great splinter, and where the bridge
and wheelhouse ought to be there was
piled a mass of wreckage, showing
| black above the bulwarks. A wheel
had been rigged aft on the poopdeck,
and there alone / saw evidence OF hu-
man beings on board. One fellow stood
gripping the spokes, while another
| leaned mOtionless against the rail fac
ing forward. Neither one saw us, al
though / swung my hat, and sent a
hail across the intervening water. The
girl glanced back into my face.
"What is the matter with them, Mr..
HOllis" she asked. as something
wrong?"
II am afraid so; their foretop mast
Is down, and 1t looks as though 1t had
smashed the bridge and wheelhouse
when II fell. They have rigged up an
emergency wheel aft. Can you make
out her nameT
'The Indian Chief of Philadelphia"
mo regular liner-probably tramp.
/ never saw tunnels painted like that
| before, and she shows no flag How.