The Elbert County tribune., 1918-04-05

pocket, and the knife also. He win
make no more trouble. Come, we Will
divide biscuit between us, and then
1t will be your turn to lie down"
"But doesn't McCann have any7"
"He has had more than his share al
rendy. I'll offer him swallow of wa
ter-that's all. 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 1 glanced 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, II 1
fall asleep?"
''If 1 feel worn out then. and the
sea keeps as 1t Is, or no worse. There,
take my coat for pillow. No, really /
shall not need 1t; this Is an ideal sum-
mer night, but we are out Of the trnck
of ships"
"But do you still believe we viii find
one2"
II have every faith in the world" I
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
Vern; 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 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. I looked at her shadowy figure I;
then forward to where Mccain hung
silent in the bows.
What II we should not overhaul a
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 Mccain a gibbering idiot.
My Godl 1 must stop thinkingl l
must be 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 at its
height, and did not call the girl, as
dared not trust her to steer the craft
through such rough water. She slept
undisturbed. not even changing her po-
sition, mere dim outline at my feet
Forward Mccain had slowed himself
away beyond the bow thwart, and
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-oper
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 it; and we are to bt
blessed with another day of sunshine
Perhaps by afternoon the sea will have
gone down, and can get a nap. Are
you ready for breakfast?"
My explanation did not satisfy her
could read that In the expression OF
her face, but she made no further pro
test.
She drew out the biscuits from thu
locker, broke one in two. and handei
the half to me. Still clinging to tn,
bag, her glance fell upon the slouchinl
figure of Mccain in the bow, and theI
her eyes sought my face Questioningly
"You are not going to offer hin
anyr
HE deserves none; he has alread.
had more than both Of us together
How many are left?"
"Seven fit to eat. But" she hesi
tated, yet went on bravely enough
"please, he Is not accustomed to beinI
deprived Of food. and Is really suffer
ing. Let him have my share, for an
not at all hungry-truly am not.
II shall insist on your eating" I said
almost sternly. "Your share is littl
enough to sustain life. If 1t comes t
a choice between saving you. and thn
miserable thing yonder. my course 1
taken. However, grant your reques
now, although 1 doubt IL he show
even gratitude. McCann!"
He lifted his head. and stared aft
but without changing attitude.
Here is your ration. You do not de
serve n bfte nor would Won racaive an