The Huttig news., 1917-09-29


 clinging grimly to the tarred rope in order to retain our balance. Twice l thought the doomed yacht was actu- ally going down, as under the blow of some swell she leaned heavily to star board, giving glimpse of the black water just below where we clung so desperately. Yet with sodden, sick ening motion, like the last painful of fort of a dying creature, she managed to right herself once more, every tim Der grooming in agony, the salt spume of the sea blown into our faces.
 Once beyond the overreach on the cabin we found opportunity to stand erect, gripping the iron supports which had sustained the awning above the after deck. In the dim rays of the Ian tern the scene was one of utter wreck and desolation. There had been four boats hung in davits above the rails; two of them were gone; one hung trail- ing overheard. half submerged, with the bow still swinging to the tackle the fourth had been smashed into kin ding. I staggered across to where l could look down at the dangling craft, holding my lantern out over the rail. It was broken amidships and useless. but damned under a thwart lay a mans body; the gleam of light rested on the upturned face, and l recognized with horror the features of Fosdick.
 Siekened. covering my eyes with one ol. Il, ell, pletely unnerved. The voice of the girl aroused me, brought me back to manhood.
 "Mr. Hollis, the dory is still herei"
 I swept the lantern about, confused, and unable to locate the sound. Me Cam was crouehing against the cabin, but the woman, aided by the flag locker, had crept aft, and now leaned out over the stern rail and was point ing eagerly down into the black water. I worked my way cautiously forward to where she elung. the lantern swung overside. its small ring of light giving me view of the whole quilted stern. The dory. which had evidently been left trailing astern. was actually afloat, although half filled, and her oars, damned securely under a thwart, were still in place.
 The position of the vessel, the water logged condition of the smaller craft, told me at a glance the whole story. What was left of the crew of the Els meralda. together with those guests who had lived to attain the deck, had made their escape in the two missing and were strong and seaworthy. No doubt the smashed ono there had been lowered first, but the tackle iammed, and in the wreck Fosdick had been killed. The others had clambered aboard the two left, leaving him crushed behind.
 The sight of the little craft, stanch and buoyant. bobbing about just below us in the glow of light, brought back my courage. Ay, there was q chance here; we could get free of the doomed yacht; We were not to perish like drowning rats, helplessly. To be sure, the boat was small one, mere dinghy intended for use in smooth wa- ters; why they had continued trailing it astern so far at sea was a mystery; yet 1t would bear the three of us unless a storm arose. There was no time to seek either blankets or provisions, nor was there any fresh water to be had but at least We need not go down with the ship. We had still hope of res cue, fighting ehance-God be thanked for that
 My hand closed over hers as she turned and looked at me. Never in any eyes have I seen such glimpse of steady courage.
 "The boat is strong, stanch; she will carry us, Mr. Hollis?'
 "Ay! this is better than dared hope. But there is no time to lose; the yacht is settling fast-see those bubbles of air Why, can almost feel the droop of the blanks beneath my feet. Here, McCann, bear a hand Pull your self up by that flag locker; now get grip here. Are you sailor enough to slide down that rope?"
 He stared at the boat, bobbing up and down on the black water, with lackluster eyes.
 Tit will sink" he half sobbed, 'it-it is almost full of water"
 "Sink nothing!" my disgust rising beyond control. Tt will hold twice your weight. Down with you, and bail. Then stand by to help the lady. Over you go, my lad. if have to pitch you headlong:: this is no time to argue the matter. Will you try it quietly?'
 He stared up into my face, but his fear of me must have been greater than of the tapping water below. for the strands of the rope slipped through his fingers, and an instant later he clambered into the bow of the boat, and sank onto his knees in the water. TO my relief the aory did not sink greatly beneath his weight. the water shipped proving scarcely ankle deep. It would support the three of us with out bailing. The yacht rolled to star board. fairly burying her rail. I thought she woIIld never rise again and my