Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-02-07
CHAPTER X.
CAPTAIN BeIorau.

single instant the glow of the flames
was succeeded by darkness that was
unpenetrable in the contrast. ! had
an oar in my fists and tried to make it
act as knew oars should, but had
no idea where we were headed, and
could see not even the man on the
thwart before me.
When my eyes did right their focus
and the numerous stars above began
to do business, made out that there
were six of us in the boat; Captain
Blake in the stern steering; Isabelle
on the thwart before him; Reedley at
the stroke oar, then the two seamen,
and myself bow-oar. I was almost the
length of the boat from Isabelle, but
was even farther from Blake,
which was some compensation.
There was no sign of the two boats
which had pulled out earlier. If they
had lain by for the ship to go down,
1t was too dark to see them, and sew
eral deep-voiced "Ahoy" from the cap
tain brought no response to our ears.
He had swung the boat around to the
surge of the waves, and what little
wind there was helped us on.
None of us said anything; was too
busy keeping the heavy oar dipping
in time with the man aft, and perhaps
SO were the other oarsmen, but Blake
was quiet because he was peeved, and
he did not understand The offer of
his heavy jacket had been rejected by
Isabelle, adding another hurt to his
feelings. Then, too, he had lost his
ship, and that is somewhat important
to a young captain.
wished Isabelle had taken that
coat. l had none to offer her, having
overlooked all apparel save trousers
over my pajamas, and these not only
needed for appearances, but, like ev-
cry other bit of clothing in the boat,
save and only t,Isabelles dressing
gown and the captains pea-jacket,
they were soaking wet Blake had
been careful enough to throw his out
or coat in the boat before he leaped, a
thoughtfulness that stood him in good
stead now, for the tropic night was
not tropical. l was shivering rowing,
and l guessed that Isabelles teeth
were achatter.
However, it was the last of the
night, and soon streaks of gray dim
med out the stars and gave shape to
the waves, making them seem quite
appallingly large and threatening to
our small boat. Then the sun bobbed
up out of the sea ahead of us, and
Immediately began its functions of a
tropic day, drying out wet clothes
and forcing my bare feet into the
shadow of the thwart.
From being too cold, l became too
hot, and also had blisters forming on
the palms of both hands. l had not
rowed since my college days, and
began to think of the brig manacles,
and bread-and-water without malevo-
lence.
Blake stood up in the stern as the
sun came up and tried to find some
thing of interest on the horizon-bor-
dered sea, looking long under his
hand in every direction. Nothing
doing" he said as he returned to the
tiller. and the words struck me as be-
ing quite unnautical. tried to think
what would have said in his place,
. while my back ached at each stroke of
the oar.
One of the seaman gave in first; he
wasn't in love with Isabelle. Cap
tain" he said, and he stopped pulling;
! 80 dbl; Pm a bit weak in the shoul
ders. May We rest?"
"Why, certainly, Mr.. Clifton" Blake
: responded and l knew then the sea
man was not a sailor. Il forgot you
are not used to an oar. Rest oars"
Reedley gave great sigh of relief
and began to hum Billie" | dropped
the oar, then lunged for ii and caught
1t before it slipped quite into the sea
Clifton asked il any one had cigar
ette, which nobody did, then asked
the captain If he knew where We
We're.
I'VE are not fifteen miles from the
coast of Lower California, off San Lu
cas-" he replied. I'VE can make lanC
in Il few hours pulling. When you're
ready, lads"
! wasn't ready at all. Isabelle made
a diversion by asking If she might
take the seat in front of the boat
meaning, of course, the bow thwart
She asked me, but | let the captain
answer. Certainly" he said gruffly
then, as she started forward. "Trin
boat"
I;felt sorry for Captain Blake. HI
was being as decent as any man coult
be, and this young lady's strange ant
sudden distaste for his company wal
ineXplicable. wanted to tell hin
that Isabelle and ] We're engaged
shout it at him down the length of tn,
" boat, but that would not do either.
still had the same reasons for no
tangling her up with me. so gave he
only the courtesy of helping han'
rs she passed to her new place, witt
a private added pressure on my owl