Meade County news., 1917-10-11

AilhC hO LlOlC llOuDlCs SOlhCp VIC Will
divide q biscuit between us, and then
it will be your turn to lie down."
"But doesn't McCann have any"
"He has had more than his share al
ready. I'll offer him a swallow of wa
ter-that's all. l imagine the way his
head feels, he has forgotten all about
being hungry"
"You had to strike him?"
"Slightly, mere tap of sea disci-
pline," and sSnced at my knuckles.
''He was armed, you know, and could
take no chances. There is no harm
done. Come; are you not tired enough
to rest?"
She glanced up into my face.
"You will call me at midnight, if 1
fall asleepT"
"If 1 feel worn out then, and the
sea keeps as it is, or no worse. There,
take my coat for pillow. No, really
shall not need it; this is an ideal sum-
mer night, but we are out Of the track
of ships"
"But do you still believe we will find
OneP
81 have every faith in the world" 1
answered heartily, determined to con-
ceal my doubts "If the weather holds
pleasant, we should be far enough
south by morning to be in the north
Atlantic lane between New York and
Liverpool. Lie down, and rest, Miss
Vera; there is no sign Of any storm
brewing, and tomorrow you'll probably
have the deck of liner under your
feet"
know not how much she may have
believed of what 1 said, but she smiled
me cheerful goodnight, and lay down
in the bottom of the boat, my coat fold
ed under her head. She rested there
mOtionless, her face shadowed by one
arm, and very soon her regular breath
ing convinced me she slept like tired
child. 1 looked at her shadowy figure
then forward to where McCann hung
silent in the bows.
What If we should not overhaul q
ship? What If some evil fate would
permit of our floating on unseen? And
there were few eatable biscuits left,
and barely a cupful of tepid water. The
thought of what the end might be near
ly crazed me, as 1 sat there alone in
the silence and gloom-I could picture
those final hours of despair, as we lay
starved and helpless in the unguided
boat, the girl mercifully unconscious,
perhaps, and McCann gibbering idiot.
My Godl l must stop thinkingl
must be a man for her sake; aye, and
retain my self-control, SO as to do a
mans work to the end.
At midnight the wind was Mt It's
height, and 1 did not call the girl, as l
dared not trust her to steer the craft
through such rough water. She slept
undsturbed, not even changing her po-
sition, a mere dim outline at my feet.
Forward McCann had slowed himself
away beyond the bow thwart, and 1
could see nothing Of him under the
blight of the sail. I was the only one
awake in the leaping boat, fighting its
desperate way through black waters
under the dull CLEAN Of the stars.
The sun had begun to show above
the horizon before the girl finally
awoke, and sat up In the bottom Of the
boat, staring about her with wide-open
eyes, as though startled by the change
in the aspect Of the sea. Finally she
lifted herself to the nearest thwart,
and greeted me reproachfully.
"You have let me sleep all night, and
lying on your coat. You must be tired
nearly to DEATH"
"Far from 1t; and we are to be
blessed with another day Of sunshine.
Perhaps by afternoon the sea will have
gone down, and can get nap. Are
you ready for breakfast?"
My explanation did not satisfy her ;
I could read that in the expression of
her face, but she made no further pro-
test.
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
anyT
"He deserves none; he has already
had more than both Of us together.
How many are left?"
"Seven fit to eat. But" she hesl-
tated, yet went on bravely enough,
"please, he is not accustomed to being
deprived of food, and is really suffer
ing. Let him have my share, for am
not at all hungry-truly am not.
81 shall insist on your eating" 1 said,
almost sternly, "Your share is little
enough to sustain life. If it comes to
a choice between saving you, and that
miserable thing yonder, my course is
taken. However, grant your request
now, although / doubt IL he shows
even gratitude. McCannp
He lifted his head, and stared aft,
but without changing attitude.
"Here is your ration. You do not de-
serve a bite, nor would you receive any
through me. You owe this to the lady
catch II now"
He picked the half biscuit up from
the bottom of the boat, where 1t fell at
his feet, and began nibbling at 1t, like