Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-09
CHAPTER XVII.
a bead Man In tho Cabin.


The glimpse was but for an instant,
the boat disappearing as 1t dropped
into the hollow.
sTts our own quarterboat," I an
nounced shortly, endeavoring to keep
my glasses trained on the right spot.
IMcCann, and those devils with him"
''Then, shall we stand by, sir7" asked
Leayord. "why should we be picking
up that scum?'
glanced aside at him.
..yvhy, Mr.. Leaycrd? Well, one rea-
son Is, we are American seamen. Those
fellows can scarcely hurt us now. and
hand or two more aboard will help
us to make port. We've got to have
firemen below, and Rapello would be
able to spell Masters in the engine
room. 1 look on their coming as God
send. Let yotr helm of another point
there. steady now; hold her just as
she II"
Again I caught the boat in the focus
Of the leveled glasses; 1t was measure.
Ny nearer now, but could only see
four men aboard the craft, the other
two being White and Rapello. The
tiller was gone, the man at the stern,
Jim White, steering by means of q
long oar; the sail had been whipped
into rags, and canvas shirt substi-
tuted. One man was on his knees bail.
ing furiously, and Tony had an arm In
sling. So intent was I in this en-.
deavor to decipher the details Of the
tragedy through the glass. I was I'M
aware that Vera had climbed the lad.
der, and now stood beside me, clingfne
to the rail. Her voice aroused me ID
her presence.
.sWhy, there are only four Of them7'
.sYes; they must have passed through
Hades last night" answered. "Here
take the glass; there are two bodies
lying in the bottom Of the boat"
'4Can you manage tho wheel alone
for bit, Mr.. LeayordT'
II can Try. SIR"
Miss Darlington, would you mind
giving the mate hand7"
She fought her way across to him
without q word. leaving the glass or
"Good; hold her as she Is, and have
Masters slow down. It is going to be
a ticklish Job to get those fellows on
board; has anyone q suggestion7"
"A running noose from the lower
main-yard, sir" said Olson.
4That will take only one at time"
t5.a 'Two, II they're quick enough about
II; but its the only way, sir. That
boat wouldn't live Q second close II
alongside"
Fright you are; you and Dugan lay
out on the yard and get the .whiI
rugged; pick strong cord and see that
It fits the pulley block. I'll keep to the
deck, and ease them in. Pass the enc
down to me; lively now"
Those In the boat saw. what we were
attempting, realizing at once that VIZ
meant to take them aboard. The re
lief felt was instantly expressed by
tho waving Of hands. and faint cry
reached US across the water. Mccain
even endeavored to stand up, but was
3erked down again. No doubt the rec
ognition Of the ship had left them II
total despair Of rescue, their one
thought being that we would PERM,
them to drift by, rather than take
! them aboard again. The gap betweef
as slowly closeds ! could see theil
faces clearly. uplifted in agonized ap
peal. They were haggard, crusted with
salt, piteous enough in their silent
pleading to make me forget the past.
aBoat ahoyl'' roared. keep well
away from the side; Wen whip you IN
HON the main yard. Have you oars7'
.One pair, sir" ai
"a It was Liverpool, and I was glad to
note the tone Of respect in his answer
'Then hold her back, and drift in
slowly stern first; you get the idea
Are those dead menl"
~ons Of them Is: Dubois has his leg
broken"
even send a sling down; put Du
I bols ii lrst, and the rest Of you stand
". Are You ready nowf"
Aye, aye, sir.
Olson Joined me at the rope, Dugar
|Eemalning outstretched on the yard
3 nc ship hold mctlpnless except for tht
' Il ~ ~ a,is.s & Y 81 ~