The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-03-21


zmiling insolence Lay . silkea force
to match his own. She too had taken
what che wanted from life. but Ghe
had won 1t by tndirecfion- Aanifestiy
she was Of those women who cooce1ve
that charm and beauty are tools to
bend men to their Wills
The dusky young woman with the
maeaxine was the first Of those On the
upper deck to retire for the night She
fitted 30 quietly that Gordon did not
notice until she had gone. ArA Self
ridge and her friends disappeared with
their men folks, calling gay good
nights to one another as they left
Macdonald and Nrs- Mallory talked
After Q time she too vanished
The big promoter leaned against the
deck rail, where he was Joined by Self
ridge. For a long time they talked in
low voices. The little man had most to
say. his chief listened. but occasion
ally interrupted to ask a sharp, incisive
question
Elliot, sitting farther forward with
Strong, judged that Selfddge was max
ing q report Of his trip Once he
caught . fragment Of their talk. enough
to confirm this Impression
did Winfon tell you that himsefT
demanded the Scotsman.
Ths answer Of his employee came In
a nurmur 70 low that the words were
lost But the name used told Gordon
a good deal. The commissioner Of the
general land once At Washington
signed his letters Harold b. Winton-
Strong tossed the stub Of his ciga-
rette overheard and nodded good night.
A glance at his watch told Elliot that
1t was past two O'Clock. He rose,
stretched and sauntered back to his
stateroom-
The young man had Just taken on
his coat when there came the hurried
rush Of trampling feet upon the hur-
ricane deck above. Almost instantly
be heard q cry Of alarm. He could hear
the shuminG Of footsteps and the sound
Of heavy bodies moving.
Someone lifted q frightened shout.
~Helpl Helpy~ The call had come.
he thought, from Selfndge.
Gordon dung open the door Of his
room, raced along the deck and took
the stairs three At . time. A huddle
of men swayed and shifted heavily In
front Of him
Even ~ he ran toward the mass.
Elliot noticed that the only sounds
were runts. stertorous breathings,
and the scraping Of feet The attack
ers wanted no publicity. The attacked
was too busy to waste breath In futile
cries. He was fighting for his life.
hA Ovz,H
lay on the deck farther aft One was
ON top Of the other. his fingers clutch
ing the gullet Of his helpless opponent.
The agony Of the man underneath
found expression only in the drumming
heels that beat q tattoo on the door.
The spasmodic feet were shod In Ok
ford tans Of an ultra-fashiooAble cut.
No doubt the owner Of the smart foot
wear had been pulled down a. he was
escaping to shout the alarm.
The runner hurdled the two In his
stride and plunged straight at the
struggling tangle. He caught one man
BY the shoulders from behind and flung
him back. He struck hard, smashing
blows as he fought his way to the heart
Of the melee. Heavy-hsted miners with
corded muscles landed upon his face
and head and neck. He did not care
a straw for the odds.
The sudden attack Of Elliot had
opened the pack. The man battling
against a dozen was Colby Macdonald.
The very number Of his foes had
saved him 50 far from being rushed
| overheard or trampled down. His coat
and shirt we're in rags. He was bruised
and battered and bleeding from the
chest up. But he was still slugging
hard.
They had him pressed to the rail. A
huge miner. head down. had his arms
was trying to throw him overheard.
Macdonald lashed out and landed dush
upon the cheek of a man attempting to
brain him with a billet Of wood. He
hammered home a short-arm Jolt
against the ear Of the giant who was
giving him the bear grip.
The big miner grunted, but hung on
like a football tackler. With q Jerk
he raised Macdonald from the floor
just as three or four others rushed him
again. The rail gave way. splintered
like kindling wood. The Scotsman and
the man at grips with him went over
the side together.
Clear and loud rang the voice Of FL
liot. "Man 0verboard!"
The wheelsman Mgnaled to the en-
gine room to reverse and blew short,
sharp shrieks Of warning.
Men overboard-two Of 'em!" ex-
planned Elliot in a shout from the boat
which he was trying to lower.
The first mate and another man ran
to help him. The three of them low
cred and manned the boat. Gordon sat
in the bow and gave directions while
the other two put their backs Into
thu e<r