Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-05
oopyrisns 4 AsusS . O
CHAPTER ~.

"
US there. never recalled more blind.
ing. disagreeable storm at this season
Of the year, and IN those waters, al
though there was very little wind or
sea accompanying it. The smother,
however, made 1t safer to proceed at
half-speed, and the lookouts forward
were doubled.
It seemed long evening, as was
in no spirit for cards, and discussion
was altogether about the war. and
the projected copper pool. Darlington
received several messages In further
proof that the affair was already we'll
under way. buR he made no other at
tempt to arouse my interest. By ten
thirty l had retired to my stateroom.
Yet even there, and when partly dis
robed, a temptation to explore the
decks again assailed me. I unscrewed
the port and glanced out, the cold rain
driving hard against my face. Nothing
could be seen; stared into an impen-
etrable black wall. There was EVIL
IDENTIFY nothing to do but remain where
1 was. and closed the port and Lay
down in the berth.
I do not know what aroused me, but
I sat up suddenly, wide awake, .
strange, iIl-deHned fear clutching at
my heart. What was 1t I had heardi
a cry? blow on the deck above7 Had
/ really heard anything, or was 1t
merely the echo Of, dream7 The
stateroom was dark as Erebus, but
got my feet over the edge Of the berth.
and switched on the electric light.
Even as stood thus, my hand still on
the switch. someone ran swiftly across
the deck directly overhead, and 4 voice
wavered out:
sport, sirI Hard aport-my Godw
There was a startling crash forward,
the awful sound Of crushing iron and
splintered timbers. was flung head
long against the partition, barely saw
ing myself by outstretched hands. but
falling bruised and helpless to the
deck. The electric flashed out instant
ly. but a duh gleam from without
streamed through the glass Of the port.
It vas q ghastly green light, and I
recognized II at once as the port Ian
tern Of the ship which had rammed us.
Before could get to my feet even. still
dazed and trembling from the shock.
the ghastly green radiance began to re-
cede. Rage took the place Of fear
the dirty murderer was backing OIL
was leaving US to sink! ! clawed my
way across the stateroom, seeking to
gain view without, but could perceive
little. The glass was dimmed with
moisture, and through It could see
merely the circle Of green light reveal.
ing the outline of a high bow. No
other CLEAN was visible, but above me
q man cursed hoarsely. and then
screamed out some order, which !
could not distinguish.
All this was the work Of an instant.
What had occurred was as clear to my
mind as though / had actually wit
messed the scene from the deck above.
A great steel steamer, tramp, no
doubt from its darkened decks, had
plunged out of the blackness, and
rammed her bow straight into US. The
contact must have been well forward,
near the bridge. We were going down
by the head; already could perceive
the list, the deck underfoot was tilt
ing; the engines had ceased to throb,
as though the inflow Of water had
reached the boilers. Feet scrambled
along the dack, overhead voices yelled,
and / could hear the creaking Of boat
tackle.
Working desperately In the dark,
scarcely able now to keep feet on the
slanting planks, hastily drew on what
bits Of clothing I could find at hand.
and felt my way blindly to the door.
It was jammed, but Kicked 1t open.
and stumbled forth into the main cab
in, clingng to the door frame In order
to retain my feet. The stateroom
doors stood wide open, but no living
being was visible. All who survived
that nrst shock must have ned to the
deck In mad struggle to escape. Az,
and there was desperate need for me
to Join them. The Esmeralda was 90
ing down; already her forward hold
was filed with water, the bulkheads
alone keeping her afloat; once they
gave way, she would sink like stone.
I crossed the cabin on hands and
knees, clawing my way desperately
through the litter until attained the
stairs. These no longer led up, but
forward. Beyond w2s utter blackness,
silence and through the shattered door
drops Of rain splashed.
It was not until had made my way
to the outer deck, and felt the night air
and rain on my face, that truly awoke
TO the hanger. The III III 60 g Iii: The yacht yacht
forward was so sharp, ! dare not re-
lease my grasp Of the rail. could
scarcely see anything; not light
burned, not even a distant star glim-
mered; the driving rain blinded me.
and soaked through my shirt to the
skin.
/ scarcely dared move, for to release
my grip was to slide down into the
black water, into the rifle Of spars
and ropes forward. It was all horror
and death that way, but from aft, un-
der the awning, sound OF excited
voices reached my ears, and the rasb
OF boat tackle. No doubt all on board,
vino lived, Swsfe there, sssk.: seeking e
escape. They had sprung for the open
deck at the drst alarm. not even wait
Ing 70 dreSs, ana, II WOui0 l0ln tueuI
there was not m instant to l0se. The
|after bulkhead could MT bold long s:
inv moment. any slnneslal roll Of the