Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-02-07

went overheard. But how we ever kept
right side up in this little dinky boat
when thet big iron pot sunk is more'n
anybody but God could tell We just
couldn't do nuthin' but just hang on.
We wus way up there, sir, a scrapin'
the clouds, an then down in a hollow
that seemed a mile deep; an when we
come up out o. that, there you was, sir,
shootin' out O. the waves straight at
us. The girl, she saw you an
screamed; she'd have gone over after
yer, if hadn't grabbed her, an then
Red he got a boat hook inter the collar
of yer jacket, an we hauled yer in
over the side"
''That must have been hours ago.
"Quite a spell, sir. Something he'd
hit yer head, an it bled bit. The
young lady has been a-holdin' yer on
her lap ever since; she tore her
skirt"
"Never mind that, Mr.. Leayord," she
interrupted, 1--WE all of us did what we
could. Olson, will you pass back
biscuit and water bottle; Captain
Hollis will regain strength If he has
something to eat.''
smiled at her, and accepted the
biscuit.
"How are we fixed on food? only
want my share"
''We have had one apiece; there were
two bags thrown in; we can thank Nc
Cam for that, the poor devil"
The memory of that spectacle Of hor-
ror witnessed on the blazing deck
came suddenly back to me, and hid
my eyes, every muscle of my weakened
body trembling. felt Vera's arms hold
me tight.
"What is it, Robert? You are in
pain?''
"No; the suffering was mental, not
physical. II saw McCann's death
that was what held me on board so
long. Bascom got him; they-they
went down together, fighting in each
others arms, in a sheet of flame. No
words can picture the horror of it.
Let's not talk of that any longer. II
must keep my mind"
Eyes, dear, we will not talk of it,"
tenderly. "Our own situation is sure
1y bad enough; you must tell the men
what to do
lifted myself, strengthened by the
appeal, eager to be diverted.
'tThe boat is taking in water?'
''Not great deal, sir she is so deep
loaded some splashes over the gunwale.
like it is now"
"Are you steering by compass?"
mo, sir, by sun. I just naturally
headed west; that's the nearest coast,
reckon? Are these fishing seas, STRIP
1.-THE best in the world. I've often
read of dory crews being lost in the
winter fog, and yet making land in
spite Of the storm and cold. If they
n in, &c
call for us to give up while the boat
floats. The first job should be to rig
sail; there is one oar left?"
AYE, sir, and paddle"
"Good enough. Red, cut hole in
that forward thwart with your sheath
knife; not too large now. Any cam
vas aboard?"
"Only these strips
''Theyn do for stays, and to make
secure. The sail will have to be a shirt
Olson, how about yours?"
He peeled it off without a word, and
helped me fasten it to the oar blade.
1t was rough bit of work, yet served
the purpose, and when we had stepped
the fmprovised mast, bracing it as best
we could with the paddle. and the out
spread garment bellied out in the fair
ly fresh wind, the sight put new heart
into all of us. could but note the fell
lows staring at it, and then at the
rushing green water alongside, as
though calculating our progress. No
doubt it was small enough, yet the
very knowledge that we were moving
at all tended to bolster our courage,
and arouse hope.
There was nothing more to be done
the boat rode fairly steady, and one
man could easily keep her clear of
water. The others disposed them
selves as best they might, occasionally
exchanging a word or two, but mostly
staring about at the expanse of sea.
Leayord hung on to the tiller, while I
held to Vera's hand, and we spoke in
low voices for each other alone.
what mistake we made when we
chose this voyage" I said regretfully.
1T has brought only hardship and
peril"
ST do not regret" and her eyes gazed
frankly into mine. Truly I do not.
There was no other way for us to know
and love. Robert, If this was the end.
should be glad of my choice. would
rather go down here in these waters
clasped in your arms, than to be COM
PEELED to live on in the world without
you"
my sweetheart; but I will not
imagine such a fate. We have strug-