Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-05-03
CHAPTER XXI.
a Death Ship.


TT was Gods miracle that we lived
and kept afioat; that we were not
sucked under, or crushed into drift
wood. To this day I know not what
occurred, or how we held upright
There was a crash, a crunching sound
mad plunging of the tortured boat
under us. My hands gripped vainly al
the steel sides slipping past-then sud
denly the wild race ended with jerk
with a leap of the boat through surge
of water drenching us to the skin, and
we struck the schoOner'S side a blow
which, it seemed to me must crush
every plank into atoms. I held Vera
to me ready for the end, but Leayord
yelled wildly:
sThat's it Red! make fast there
make fast! Lively now, before we &c
down. The mizzen chains, Olson! UT
you go, my lady heaveni he made
til"
I was on my feet now, understand
ing 1t all, realizing the value OF each
second, knowing that the shattered
boat must be sinking under US. also
got grip on the chains, and the three
of us held on desperately, Red hauling
the single rope end taut, and looping II
about the thwart.
"Here, Olson; reach your arms
down: take the woman flrst-there's
no time to wait for help. Now, Vera
quick, girl; the boat is sinking under
u.s."
She stepped onto my shoulders
grasped the chains to steady herself
then gripped Olson's hand, sprang up
ward. and was drawn safely in.
turned to the others.
'Make fast, Red. There is nothing
more to be done but get out. One al
q time now; here, White, you're Grip
pied, go first-hoist him up, Masters
now ease in there, Olson-good enough
You're next, Masters"
Leayord and were the last, and we
left the dinghy swamped behind us
dangling and crushed against the stee
side of the schooner, upheld only by
the strength of the rope. 1t was al
the work of a feverish minute, in
which thought was impossible because
of the stress of action. But now, as
chung breathless to those lower mizzer
ratlines, the seven of us damned upon
the little platform, the green surge OF
water below slushing against the
wreck we had just left, the strange 81
lence of this vessel which we haC
boarded struck me with full force. IL
heavens name, what could it mean
1t was broad daylight; if there was
man alive aboard, he could never have
failed to see or hear us in this fierce
struggle for life. Yet no one was Wis
ibIe; no sound of voice was heard; Nc
face peered over at us above the rail
1t was like ghost schooner and fell
the very heart of me chill as [ stared
into the blank faces of my huddlet
companions, and along the shiny sides
and the deserted rail.
''This is a rum go, SIR" yenture(
Leayord soberly. Saint she got nj
crew."
ST don't know what to make of it,
I confessed, ''but We'll soon find out
Help the lady, Leayord. Olson, come
with me-"
We footed the ropes, and swung III
to the rail, clinging there long enough
to gain swift view of the deck beyond
It was as clean as a millionaire
yacht, and had the appearance of one
with brasswOrk glistening, and pain
fresh and bright. Every rope seemed
coiIed IN place, the sail gaskets firml.
tied, the planks spotless. the canvas a
white as though just out Of the sail
loft. My eyes surveyed the whole for
md aft-tbe low forecastie, the cook :
galley, with door standing vice open
revealing a fireless stove, the boats in
checks, not one missing, the after
cabin on the deck level, its companion
door ajar, the wheel astern, outlined
against the sky, swinging slightly to 6