Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-01-31

fool. You flooded the engineroom,
Tony?'
"Sure did, with both cocks wide
open; there's five feet O. water in her
by now"
"Good; then it's time we're off. Send
hand up here to help me, Liverpool
the girl won't go along"
The men below laughed at his trouble.
"Can't yer handle that little bit O. a
thing, mister?" sang out new voice,
without the help O. sailor man?"
"Stow it, Joe Sachs" roared Red,
and there was the dull thud Of fist
blow. "Now up yer go to give the lady
lift, me lad. Jump er I'll take the
tiller ter yer next"
Sachs must have started his upward
climb, for Mccain 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. I was al
ready on ny feet, and. as Mccain
wheeled about, we fronted each other.
I gave him no time even to utter a cry
Of alarm. my only thoughtsbeing 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 in
his waistband. He was man nearly,
If not quite my own weight, yet, at
that moment, mine was the strength of
a giant, and with one mighty effort
lifted him clear o. the deck, as help
less in my grip us If 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 muffled in his
throat as he fell; Vera gave utterance
to a sob, and the whirling body struck
the black water below with a splash
plainly audible. Still gasping for
breath, 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 all
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 conceal
the facts longer; we must fight in the
open now.
| 'Leayord, come here" I ordered
"And you, Olson, take the wheel, and
ring the engineroom for full speed
ahead. Jump into 1t lads" I sent my
voice below. stern with threat.
"Get down that ladder, Sachs. Jus,
as quick as God will let you. Let go
; you man with the lantern, or wei
swamp you alongside. Do you heai
the steam. Liverpool? It's full steam
ahead. you fool!"
It was Reds voice which replied:
us that you. captain? What hap
pened9 Who went overboard?"
! "NcCann; he's astern Of you, an,
/ you better pick him up as you "a
Move quick! You haven't a second +,
| lose. Man, you'll be sucked I'LL Ter, 4
you don't let go!'
They were seamen enough to real,-
the Imminent danger of their positi.
Liverpool and White both called Out
and the others, grasplng their oars
: backed water furiously. I saw Sach
3 tumble back into the boat. and fac
or two staring upward. Voices roare
: at us, the fellows cursing Justify; the
! the darkness seemed to swallow ther
l completely. and knew from tn
!. tremor Of the deck planks that "
4 were underway. sprang TO Vera, an
= lifted her to her feet.
, you are not hurtr 49,