Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-04-26

Coos mercy. BY every token we
should have been blown out of the
water when the Indian Chief exploded,
but somehow the gust of it didn't hit
us. We was showered with fire, an hit
by lot of flynn stuff, but nuthin' to
wreck the boat. White had his arm
broke by piece O. timber. an an oar
went overheard. But how we ever kept
right side up in this little dinky boat
when thet big iron pot sunk is more'n
enybody 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 hollow
that seemed 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 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 a,
biscuit and water bottle; Captain
Hollis will regain strength if he has
something to eat.'s
/ smiled at her, and accepted the
biscuit
"How are we fixed on food? I only
want my share"
eve 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 I 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 fame. 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
~ bad enough: you must tell the men
what to do
I lifted myself, strengthened by the
appeal, eager to be diverted.
1.-THE boat is taking in water?"
"Not great deal, sir; she is so deep
loaded some splashes over the gunwale.
We're all right so long as the sea keeps
like it is now"
"Are you steering by compassw
"No, sir, by sun. I just naturally
headed west; that's the nearest coast.
[ reckon? Are these fishing seas, sir?":
"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
can do it in such weather, there is no.
call for us to give up while the boat:
floats. The first job should be to rig
q sail; there is one oar left?"
aye, sir, and a paddle
"Good enough. Red, cut a hole in
that forward thwart with your sheath.
knife; not too large now. Any can
vas aboard?'
"Only these strips"
'They'll do for stays, and to make
secure. The sail will have to be shirt
Olson, how about yours?"
He peeled it off without word, and
helped me fasten it to the oar blade.
It was rough bit Of work, yet served
the purpose, and when we had stepped
thesimprovised mast, bracing it as best
we could with the paddle. and the out
spread garment bellied out in the fair
~ 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, vet 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 word or two, but mostly
staring about at the expanse of sea.
Leayord hung on to the tiller, while
held to Vera's hand, and we spoke in
low voices for each other alone.
.What mistake we made when we
chose this voyage" l said regretfully.
"It has brought only hardship and
PERIL
81 do not regret" and her eyes gazed
frankly into mine. "Truly 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.