Meade County news., 1917-12-27

mo. only frightened and bruised.
He threw me to the deck. Are we
safe? Have they all goneT
"Yes, all who can make any resist
ance. Hold her just as she is, Olson
there's a bone In her teeth already (,
1t will take more than oars to overhaul
us. Does anyone know If those fellows
picked up McCann?"
II think most likely they did, sir !;
they wuz swingin' the lantern along
side"
Bring me the night-glasses, Leayord
aye, they're on the shelf in the cap
tain's stateroom."
He returned with them before 1 had
finished whispering a word of hope
into the girls ear, but even that short
time had so broadened the expanse of
water 1 could conceive few details
through the lens. Three of the boats
were close together, punched as though
their occupants were still unaware of
just what had occurred; the fourth
boat-the one we had just left, no
doubt-was much nearer, and must be
entirely out of sight of the others.
got it fairly within my focus, but the
occupants were indistinguishable at
that distance; all 1 could be sure Of
was that the fellows were engaged In
rigging up jury mast for sail, and
that they were no longer attempting to
pursue us, or making any effort to re
join the ether boats.
"Do you see 'em, sir?" asked Lea
yord, impatience overcoming him.
"Yes; Liverpool's boat is out there,
heading due west, and the men are rig
ging SAIL"
"And the others, sir?"
ITO starboard, at least quarter Of
mile away"
"That's the game, then" he said,
staring out into the blackness as
though he saw 1t all. "Them fellows
don't care darn what becomes O. the
three first boats so long as they git
safe ashore. I'd bet they rather they
wud drown than not. wonder did they
pick up that milllOnaire?"
"No reason why they shouldn't. He
must have struck within ten feet Of the
boat. They wouldn't be likely to leave
him behind, when he's their meal ticket
if they ever get ashore"
"Where they heading for?"
<"White Fish bay"
"Well, they may git thar, If it amt
too fur Thets good boat they're in,
Mr.. Hollis; an Liverpool an White are
both sailors all right. I'll say that for
'em. But Just the same they're goin'
to have ter show their train'n before
many hours"
"You mean a storm? I don't like
that mist myself"
"'Tain't only that, slr;~ it's in the
air; you kin sorter breathe 1t like. Be.
sides took squint at the barometer
when I went below-it's fallln' ter beat
the band"
"Then we better look to our own
safety; we are far too short handed
to stow sail before wind"
II reckon there amt so awful much
to stow" with glance upward into
lHe DiuChueSS ulOll. IHeTe are lWO
men below deck you can rout out and
put at work"
"Two, sir?"
"Aye, Mr.. Leayord-Dugan and the
steward. The latter you will find In
one of the staterooms aft; here Is the
key. I leave 1t to you to persuade the
fellows to take hold"
"Tll do that. sir, with pleasure; and
maybe, come the need, even the owner
would give us hand"
"We will not count on Mr.. Bascom
he could scarcely keep his feet in a
seaway," 1 answered firmly. "But we
have one more in the crew, neverthe-
less-Miss Darlington, here"
''The lady, sir2"
"Yes," she broke in eagerly. Soap
tain Hollis knows, Mr.. Leayord, for he
has tested my seamanship. I could
take the wheel such weather as this.
May I not relieve Olson now?"
"Yes," I said, feeling it best to en-
courage her enthusiasm, and truly pos
sessing faith in her capability to handle
the ship. "I'll keep you there while we
get snugged away Mr.. Olson"
"Aye, aye, sir"
'Let Miss Darlington relieve you.
Stand by a moment until certain she
has the trick Of 1t; and then come for
ward"
"Aye, aye, sir" but less heartily, a
strong doubt in his voice.
''It's all right, Olson; she'll hold her
this weather. Now, Mr.. Leayord. bring
the other two men on deck"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
AMEDInAMO On TILE VIMIT