Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-19
CHAPTER XXI.
a Death Ship.
Author y my Lady q the
Nossh, " maid sf the Forest, etc.

It was Gods miracle that we lived
and kept afoat; that we were not
sucked under, or crushed into drift
wood. To this day know not what
occurred. Or how we held upright.
There was a crash, crunching sound,
a mad plunging Of the tortured boat
nnder us. My hands gripped vainly at
the steel sides slipping past-then sud
denly the wild race ended with Jerk,
with leap of the boat through a surge
Of water drenching US to the skin, and
I'VE struck the schooneH's side blow
which, It seemed to me must crush
every plank into atoms I held Vera
to mo ready Tor the end. but Leayord
yelled wildly:
'That's it Redl make fast there!
make fasti Lively now. before We go
down. The mizzen chains, Olsonl Up
you 60. my lady heaven! he made
it~
ssps I was Oh my feet now, understand
slng It all, realizing the value Of each
second, knowing that the shattered
boatsmust be sinking under us. also
cot zip on the chains, and the three
Of us held on desperately, Red hauling
the single rope end taut, and looping 1t
about the thwart.
4 sHere, Olson; reach your arms
down: take the woman flrst-there's
no time to wait for help. Now, Vera
quick, girl; the boat is sinking under
us."
She stepped onto my shoulders,
grasped the chains to steady herself;
then gripped Olson's hand, sprang up
ward. and was drawn safely in. I
turned to the others.
make fast Red. There Is nothing
more to be done but get out. One at
q time now; here, White, you're Grip
pied, 20 flrst-hoist him up. Masters;
now ease in there, Olson--good enough.
You're next, Masters"
Leayord and I were the last, and we
left the dinghy swamped behind us,
dangling and crushed against the steel
side Of the schooner, upheld only by
tho strength Of the rope. It was all
the work Of feverish minute, in
which thought was impossible because
of the stress Of action. But now, as
chung GREATNESS to those lower mizzen
ratlines, the seven Of us TANNED upon
Tie little platform, the green surge Of
water below slushing against the
wreck we had Just left, the strange 81
Fience Of this vessel which we had
.:a. rled struck me with full force. In
heavens name, what could 1t mean?
It was broad daylight; If there was
man alive aboard, he could never have
failed to see or hear us In this fierce
struggle for life. Yet no one was WIS.,
lble; no s,ound Of voice was heard; no
face peered over at US above the rail.
It was like ghost schooner, and I felt
the very heart of me chill as stared
into the blank faces Of my huddled
companions, and along the shiny sides,
and the deserted rail.
"This Is rum go, SIR ventured
Lsayord soberly. Saint she got no
crew."
II don't know what to make Of It,"
I confessed, "but we'll soon find out.
Help the lady, Leayord. Olson, come
with me-"
We footed the ropes, and swung up
to the rail, clinging there long enough
L to gain swift view Of the deck beyond.
Il was as clean as a millionaire's
yacht, and had the appearance Of one,
with brasswork glistening, and paint
! fresh and bright. Every rope seemed
coilsd in place, the sail gaskets firmly
He'd, the planks spotless, the canvas as
white as though just out Of the sail.
loft. My eyes surveyed the whole for
ina aft-the low forecastle, the cooks
galley, with door standing wide open,
revealing q freless stove, the boats in
chQcks, not one missing, the after
caESv on the deck level, its companion
door ajar, the wheel astern, outlined
against the sky, swinging slightly to
lashing Of rope-and nowhere human
4 being. l could scarcely believe the evil
4 dence Of my own eyes.
Heavens, Olson; there's not q sailor
/ e. deck" gasped.
- mo Sir: II heats me: I've been at
5 lAne 4lynn Dir. but I never see
~ tlls-.thex sln.t let. Ter