Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-12-28


yer afOre yer go below"
There were perhaps a dozen men in
view, a typical freighter's crew, l
judged, mostly foreign faces, two Of
them negroes. They worked silently,
and then shuff1ed forward, without ex-
hibiting the slightest interest in my
presence, or giving glance aft. Evil
IDENTIFY something unusual had oc.
Cured, but just what was the nature
Of the accident to the Indian Chief
was unable to decide. I climbed tbs
away beyond the bow thwart, and l
could see nothing of him under the
blight of the sail. | was the only one
awake in the leaping boat, fighting it's
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"
ear from it; 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
Won rp1dv for hraa I<fa ct 2''
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
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
any?"
"He deserves none; he has already
had more than both of us together.
How many are left?''
'Seven fit to eat But" she hest
tated; yet went on bravely enough,
please he is not accustomed to being
ing. Let him have my share, for I am
not at all hrngry-truly am not.
81 shall insist on your eating" 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, I grant your request
now, although I doubt if he shows
even gratitude. McCann!"
He lifted his head, and stared aft
but without changing attitude.
"Here is your ration. You do not de-
serve bite, nor would you receive any
through me. You owe this to the lady
catch it nOw.'''
He picked the half biscuit up from
the bottom of the boat, where it fell at
his feet, and began nibbling at it, like
q furnished dog. There was no sign OF
thankfulness in his action, and he con-
tinued to glare at us with one eye open
In sullen insolence.
The sun blazed down upon us out
of clear sky, glistening along the
foam of racing waves, but, as noon ap-
preached, the southern sky became
misty, the clouds increasing in den.
sity until we could see only few
hundred yards beyond our bow. It
was not q storm cloud, and brought
with it no fear of disaster, but COM
pletely blotted out the horizon, and
gave dark sullen gloom to the sur
sounding waters.
It must have been three o'clock when
Mccain suddenly gave vent to a
startled roar, Strengthening to his
knees, and pointing straight ahead into
the smother. stared, but saw nothing
except the grotesque forms assumed by
the whirling mist, but Vera leaned out
over the side, shading her eyes.
"What is it?" I asked sharply,
make a report, mani"
"a ship yonder!" he shouted, but
without turning his head. II saw 1t
plainly enough, but it has gone now"
81 see it, Mr. Hollis!' the girl cried
excitedly. Fright out there through
that lane of mist-it's big steamer"
straight ahead?"
"Just little this way-there! you
can see her nOw!"
I did,. mere glimpse, instantly OBJ.
scured, but visible again a moment
later. Mccain was on his feet, ges.
ticulating wildly.
n |, cbo Tod r1yrf
us on board there, and I'll show you
who I am. You brute, dare you to
put us on board
"Sit DOWN. ordered. snow, keep
still, and stand by with that rope. I'll
put you aboard all right, but until do,
you will obey what say, or go into
the water"
IL <,Ac