American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-01-01
cHAPTEa XVI.


made ourselves shlpshnpc the best we
could, and held on for the next few
hours. has comparatively but little to
DO with the interest OF this story. Lea
yord brought the w men on deck. and
as Dade va no sailor. but more likely
10 prove faithful, he was sent down the
ladder 20 assist Masters In the fire.
room. Dugan took the change IN nd
ministration aboard with ~sea-going
PHILOSOPHY. seemingly feeling no ami
mostly because OF the rough handling
rcceived. and went 10 work under my
orders with hearty good will. We were
all four OF us capable scnmen. and an
hour OF hard work placed the Indian
Chief In very fair condition. so far ms
deck and running rigging was con
lcerned. At the end. however. standing
on the f%orecastie, and staring aft. !
had faith that we could handle the
hooker, even with that small crew, and
bring her safely into the hArbor Of 81.
Johns. Our earlier weather predic-
tons were not yet verified, at least 10
any serious extent. Indeed there was
nothing particular 10 worry about. ex-
lcepting that temporary steering APP
lparatus. and II had worked long enough
lnow so ~ 10 give me confidence.
"what DO you make OF II. Mr.. Lea
lyord1" I questioned. indicating both
sea and sky by a wave Of the hand.
"was Il a circular storm. leaving us
loutside OF its radius1'
mo. sir It's not that" and he drew
the back OF his hand across his lips.
"Dugnn an ! talked about II on the
mainyard yonder. an It's our judg-
ment. air. that It's just n slow brooder.
There won't be no quick change, but
the weather n Just gradually got
heavier until we're scuddin' under bare
poles. TIN be maybe termorrow night
before we gets It's full weight"
But you have no doubt wen weather
ntr'
"Barrin' an accident. when do you
expect 70 make that port, sirT'
st. Johns Well, we're a bit OF
our course now I'm afraid we may DO
another night afoat."
lie stood %motionless. one hand shad-
owing his eyes. NJ he gazed out over
the port rail.
Il vas a thinkin' o. them poor cusses
out there IN the boats. sir" he said
finally. I'm bettin' that most o. them
wish they wus back on this deck by
now"
mo doubt but there's no way we
can help them, and we've got our own
work 10 do. You and Olson 40 below. -
watched the two disappear through
the companion. spoke a word to Dugun,
posting him where he could hear me
call II necessary. and then went aft TO
the wheel. ] had not realized the full
weight of the gale until | reached the
top o. the ladder. and stood erect with
out any protection from the cabin. For
an instant ! had 10 grasp tho side rail.
shading my eyes with an arm then
struggled forward until my hands
gripped the wheel
"Why didn't you call for helpr' I
asked This was too much for any
woman. never realized forward how
AZ was blowing"
She s~aycd against me, cllnging to
my sleeve.
"lt--lt does kick some" she painted.
and ! vas almost afraid | might let
80 IL ma glad you came. l couldn't
bold TO the course. but-but that
doesn't matter. does ~"
Not at all we are In no shape 10
hght the storm. with only one man In
the stokehole You VIII have 70 creep
70 the ladder"
"foo-you wish me 10 10 belowr'
4 order you TO-"
And you are going 10 remain at the
~heel-alonef'
"Dugan 10 forward. within easy call.
! have sent the two mates below for
an hours rest. There Il nothing for "a
20 do now. but hold on until the storm
abates. IN simply lash the wheel. and
stand by. You are absolutely exhaust.
ed. and must get bel0w-you viii goq"
yes h-lf you think II best. I am
so ured-the strain Of II; the fear |
could not hold out"
Il know" l bent and kissed her. and
she chung 10 me. But do not think OF
that any longer; you must 20 10 your
room az once and lie down"
but you viii stay on deck ali
nightT'
mot unless the storm increases. In
an hour or so III call the others. and
lie down myself. Come. dear, you be.
long IN the watch below"
That certainly seemed a lonely decl
Y after she had disappeared down tn,
ladder. / had served many a quiet
watch at sea. many a memorable one
but that hour taught me the real les
son OF loneliness. We were DRIVING
forward reeklessly Into a wall Of dark