The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-31

fool. You flooded the engineroom.
TonyT
"Sure I did, with both cocks wide
open; there's FIVE feet o. water In her
by now."
"Good; then it's time we're of. Send
a hand up here to help me, Liverpool
the girl won't 60 along"
The men below laughed at his trouble.
Cant yer handle that little bit O. a
thing. mister7" sang out a new voice,
without the help o. sailor manT'
"Stow 1t, Joe Sachs" roared Red.
and there was the dull thud Of fist
blow. "Now up yer 60 to give the lady
a Lift, me lad. Jump er I'll take the
tiller ter yer next"
Sachs must have started his upward
climb, for McCann drew back from the
rail, and, as he did so, the girl broke
free from his grasp. The man. how
ever. although apparently taken by sur
prise, was quick enough to get between
her and the companion. She only es-
capped the grip Of his hand by shrink
ing back against the rail. was al
ready on my feet, and, rs McCann
wheeled about, we fronted each other.
gave him no time even to utter a cry
Of alarm. my only thought being to rid
the deck Of such scum. Before he
could move to escape, or even throw
up hand In self-defense, had him by
the throat, my other hand twisted Ia
his waistband. He was man nearly.
II not quite my own weight, yet. at
that moment, mine was the strength of
a giant, and with one mighty effort I
lifted him clear OF the deck, as help
less In my grip as II he had been a
child, and. with one desperate heave,
swung him out over the rail, and let
go. staggered back, weakened for an
instant by my own violence; heard
him cry out, the sound mufiied In his
throat as he fell; Vera gave utterance
to sob, and the whirling body struck
the black water below with a splash
plainly audible. Still gasping for
breath, I leaned out and looked down
The only light was lantern held up In
the hands Of man in the boat at the
foot Of the ladder. could see his face
and the dim figures Of three or -four
others; beyond that narrow radius al
was black. I could not even perceive
Sachs. half way up the ships side, YET
I knew he was there, clinging tight, be
cause of the tautness Of the rope
strands. There was no need to concea
the facts longer; we must fight in tn,
open now.
. 'Leayord, come here" ordered
"And you, Olson, take the wheel, an,
ring the engineroom for full spee'
ahead. Jump into 1t lads" sent m.
voice below, stern with threat.
i "Get down that ladder, Sachs, Jus
| as quick as God will let you. Let 60
: you man with the lantern, or wei
r swamp you alongside. Do you hea
the steam, Liverpool It's full stean
' ahead, you fool!"
, 1t was Reds voice which replied:
\ "Is that you, captain? What har
penedi Who went overboard2'
\ Mccain; he's astern Of you. an
{ you better pick him up as you &c
Move quick You haven't a second I
a lose. Man, you'll be sucked under,
: you don't let gol"
1 They were seamen enough to realiz
q the imminent danger of their position
J. Liverpool and White both called on
I and the others, grasping their oar,
y backed water furiously. I saw Sach
Q tumble back into the boat, and fac
Il or two staring upward. Voices roarc
j. at us, the fellows cursing lustily: the
N the darkness seemed to swallow thei
II completely, and knew from th
z, tremor of the deck planks that "
n were underway. sprang to Vera, an
y lifted her to her feet.
% "You are not hursr