The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-06-08

with his sextant and took observations.
He appeared puzzled. "Good heavens,
Caldwell" he exclaimed suddenly. 1--WE
are out Of the course. Fully 40 miles
to the northward. What do you sup
pose Is the matterr
ut must have been the hurricane Of
last night" replied the mate. "or per-
haps-"
"Shlp ahoy," cried the man on the
lookout.
"Wheref' shouted the captain.
"Right ahead. She is flying signal
of distress"
The captains glass revealed craft
not far of laboring heavily in the
waves. In an hour the Oceanic caught
up with the disabled ship. She proved
to be the Dorothy. a sailing vessel
which had been caught by the awful
storm and was fast going to pieces.
By this time the passengers of the
steamer had assembled on deck to wit.
ness the unwonted and exciting scene.
Irene stood by the rail- and gazed In
fascinated wonder at the spectacle OF
wreck in midocean. The hurricane
had dismantled its victim, the vessel
had sprung leak. which was fast be-
coming larger and her sinking was
only matter Of few moments. The
lifeboats had been washed away and
the bulwarks were on level with the
sea. The crew, driven by the en-
croaching waters from the deck, had
dashed themselves to what remained of
the masts and were helpless to avert
their certain doom.
With infinite trouble and by dlnt Of
great personal risk and courage. the
Oceanica's boats were lowered and
piloted through the tempestuous waves
to the sinking ship. Caldwell directed
the operations with skill. and after
each boat had received its allotment
Of rowers, he swung himself into one
Of them. Before cutting loose. how
ever. he glanced up and sought face
on deck. Irene had watched him and
waved her handkerchief encouraging
ly. It was all he needed. He would
have gone to certain death for that
smile.
The work Of rescuinx the imperilled
crew was not easy. The sea was dan
gerously turbulent and 1t required
courage. endurance. heroism to achieve
success
At length the 10 souls who had
manned the Inflated Dorothy were
transferred from the Oceanlca's boats
to the Oceanica herself. where they
were met with loud acclamations and
general rejoicing. Suddenly the
wrecked ship gave 4 lurch and sank,
while the sea closed over her In =
seethlng maelstrom.
Caldwell was the last to climb ON
deck. The captain shook his hand en-.
Enthusiastically.
''You did WELL" he said. TT was a
risky business. and you proved your
self hero. ! shall see to II you re-
eeive q proper recognition when we
reach port"
"Let me add my congratulations"
said Irene, sweetly. "No. am not
afraid Of getting wet. One does not
see = hero every day" This praise
was dearer far than even the captains
"OA1" W
"But." said the captain, Il cannot
understand BY what singular good for
tune We managed to 20 10 far out of
the way. Had we kept ON our course
We would never have come across the
Dorothy. and these poor fellows would
now be at the bottom Of the sea-"
ut must have been the storm of last
night"
"Nonsense. The wind was from the
north. and could not have blown us 40
miles to the northwest. There must
he something wrong with the steering
gear"
II have It," cried Caldwell. "Brown
said this morning that the needle was
erratic. Perhaps that II the cause Of
It"
The captain made rush for the
bridge. followed BY the mnte. The
needle was normal.
"Who was up here this morning with
Brown"
a." said Caldwell.
ANYONE elsea"
"Ycs. Miss Laird" replied the mate
reluctantly.
"Oh." said the captain. a. he looked
ut the mate searchingiy. "You know
that such q thing II against orders.
Well, won't scoid you after what you
have Just gone through. VIII you
please come up again. Miss Lairdf"
"Oh, yes, with pleasure" She
climbed up the ladder.
No sooner had she reached the
bridge before the needle again trcm.
bled In her direction.
"what q strange phenomenon" cried
the captain. astounded. "Are you mag
netic, Miss Laird"
"Not that I know off,