Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-02-20
(copyright by w. C. Chapman,

watched the motorboat tossing toward
them over the waves. They could
make out MacBeard's figure beside the
engines. Ida was doubtless within the
cabin.
up anchor, Clouts," said Donald.
Davies, take the engines again."
Presently the submarine began to
move so as to cut off MacBeard's
egress into the open sea. Then, at
Donald's command. they drew toward
the motorboat.
+ MacBeard had seen them. He was
working frantically at the engine. The
inland sea still heaved, but it was be-
ginning to subside as the monsters, for
getful of Clouts' mouth organ, began
to draw toward the submarine again.
Then, for the third time, the i'm
prisoned queen gave the swarming call.
The sound, soft, yet incredibly volu-
minous, rolled from the interior of the
ship and seemed to fill the universe.
1t was like a deep, soft note upon
some mighty organ. And the response
was instant.
For the third time the swarm, mad
dened by the call, leaped toward it's
leader. And, as on Fair island, a tidal
bore came on, a wall of water which
struck the F55 and rendered her help
less in an instant. 1t dashed her round
like top, it drove her, uncomfortable,
before it. In an instant the steering
gear was disabled, and the vessel
skidded through the waves toward the
cliffs of the ford, which grew larger
with unbelievable swiftness.
It was the last voyage of the F55.
The battered old submarine which had
rendered such yeoman service, drove
hard on the rocks. A needle point
pierced her amidships, score of razor
edges rent her TANKS. Slowly she sank,
still spinning, into the seething waters
that whipped the desolate shore.
AS soon as they realized that moth
ing could be done, the three had gath
cred upon the deck and waited for the
disaster. AS the F55 struck they leaped
into the sea. They escaped the hid
den fangs of the rocks almost by a
miracle. A few strokes, and Donald
found himself upon the shore, which
the waves were wildly flashing, and
helping Davies to scramble out.
They gasped a moment and recov-
cred their breath.
"Where's CloutsY" asked Donald
anXiously.
Then they saw the sailors head bob
bling among the waves. He was ap-
parently clinging to point Of rock
with one hand, while he thrust the
other down into the water.
"Clouts! Are you drowning?" DON
aid called.
A bubbling sound replied. Donald
waded into the sea, clinging to the pro-
jecting reef to save himself against the
pounding waves. AS he neared Clouts,
the latter Strengthened himself and
sighed regretfully.
"What is it, Clouts? Are you badly
hurt?" asked Donald.
'sNo, sir" he gasped. "But I've
I've lost it, sir !"
Donald grasped him and pulled him
through the breakers to dry land IN
gently. At that moment Clouts had
strained his patience severely with his
lost mouth organ.
Look, sir!" said Davies, when the
three stood together once more.
Two hundred yards away Mac
Beard and Ida were standing beside
the motorboat. MacBeard's light craft
built upon scientific principles OF his
own devising, had once again estab-
lished its worth. The waves-and luck
had driven it ashore uninjured. Ana
MacBeard seemed to be inviting Ida TO
re-enter it.
The game seemed in MacBeards
hands once more.
"Comer' shouted Donald, starting
forward.
But before he had broken into run
Clouts stood barring his way.
"rye found her, sir" he shouted.
Look, Sir!>
Donald was on the point of knock
ing the sailor down. His mouth organ
had become a justification for noml-
eide.
Rut Clouts was not making re1er-
ence TO his mouth organ just then. A
CRY from Davies stopped Donald upon
the verge of delivering his ploW.
Donald started and saw, close to ms
side. the evanescent, nebulous out
lines of the queen of the swarm.
And in that moment the memory OF
Ida faded from his mind. he stareu
at her like a man bewitched.
Her face, which had always Deen
the most conspicuous part, was
strangely clouded. 1t was. indeed as
If a veil of vapor had been drawn over
r. IT seemed to cover her, like long
bridal veil, giving her the aspect OF
shrouded figure.
Davies did not stay to watch that
meeting. Neither did Clouts. Iney
started at full speed toward Macbearu'
who. already having launched ms mo
torboat upon the waves. was hoiaihs
ont his hand to Ida.