American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-28

If he was d coward, he had no wish
to let it be known, although the sud
denness Of disaster had broken his
nerve. The words spoken, the tone of
my voice, touched his pride, his real
manhood.
"Ah, you're right, Hollis" be said
heartily, and the grip Of his hand
frightened. I'm no seaman l hate the
sea. but no one ever called a Mccain
a gutter. I'll go as far as you, and
Wen get that girl out, or drown to-
gether."
1 was climbing the rail before he fin
ished, reckless of all else except the
task confronting us. The face of the
girl whose hand I had held in mine
under the light Of the stars, seemed to
rise before me, her eyes pleading for
help. The vision urged me forward.
l know not what strength or skill en-
abled me to swing from the rail and
grip the cabin front, but I hung there
with one hand, my feet finding slight
support on the slippery slope of the
deck, and reaching back, gave Mccain
support, while he also made desperate
passage to the safety Of the compan-
ion. An instant later 1 was beside him,
and we crept together down the in
verted stairs.
The frightfulness of our position be-
came more evident as we advanced.
The dead bodies, the smashed furni-
ture, the horrid swaying of the hulk
beneath US, suspended, we had to use
the forward wall as a floor, crawling
through the litter, made us feel that
certain death must end the adventure.
There was a hook In the deck below
for what purpose 1t had been placed
there l do not know-but it gave me
foothold, enabling me to kneel.
Here, Mccain, climb to my Shout
ders," l ordered, land take down the
lantern. Quick now; I'll hold you all
right"
His face was CHASTITY, and he obeyed
as though he moved in his sleep. Ev'
cry muscle in me felt the strain, but
l held him, Strengthening out my body
and balancing myself, until his uplift
, ed hands gripped the light.
, Have you got it?'
Eyes; let me down slowly"
"All right; hang on to it for you
life-now."
. My arms gave under the strain, anC
q a sudden surge Of the sodden wreck
but he held to an end of the %overturnet
piano, the light still burning feebly
A threatening every instant to ficke
out. 1 caught and steadied 1t, turnin
up the wick, and casting the fain
o glimmer along the passage leading t
y the stewards pantry.
a l slipped down, gripping the Lantern
I the dim, smoky glow Of which mad
the passage visible. The pantry doc
q stood open indeed, 1 doubt if it ha
n a door, but everything else was closet
Mccain was just above me, and sun
- out to him to hold fast; then, the laI
tern wire gripped in my teeth, 1 low
,n cred myself the full length of my arm
This brought the water to my knee
10 while the lodged chairs were q foot
two below. AS l hung there, dreadir
the plunge, my eyes were directed o
,s posite the pantry, and the CLEAN Of II
lantern glittered on the blade of
- Ratchet just inside the door. New.
- was a tool more welcome.
Hold tight above there" 1 manage
d to calculate through closed lips.
"a "What are you going to dO7"
Il "Swing in toward the door on Il
nj right-there is a Ratchet lying there
n With feet braced against the opp
site wall, l forced my way across, ma
ing three efforts before my fnge
III finally gripped the Ratchet hand
r. Clinging with n hand, l thrust L
tool into my belt, fully prepared nc
to let go.