The Pulaskian., 1918-01-11

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 1ay up there, sir, scrapin' the clouds, an then down in a 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 I 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 1t bled bit The young lady has been a-ho1din' yer on her lap ever since; she tore her skirt"
 s'Never mind that, MT. Leayord," she interrupted, i've all of us did what we could. Olson, will you pass back a biscuit and a water bottle; Captain Hollis will regain strength if he has something to eat"
 I smiled at her, and accepted the biscuit.
 "How are we fixed on food? I only want my share"
 "We have had one apiece; there were two bags thrown in we can thank Me Cam for that, the poor devil"
 Tho fr1aYl1orv of ho cnoafaoIa of h0.sz TOT 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. I-I 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 fiame No words can picture the horror of it. Let's not talk of that any longer. IT must keep my mind"
 "Yes, dear, we will not talk of it." tenderly. Our own situation is sure ly bad enough; you must tell the men what to do"
 I lifted myself. strengthened by the appeal, eager to be diverted.
 "The boat is taking in water?" "Not a 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 compass?" p "No, sir, by sun. I just naturally headed west; that's the nearest coast, I 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 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 the improvised 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. I could but note the fel- lows staring at it, and then at the rushing green water alongside, as though calculating our progress. No doubt 1t 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 l; 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 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" said respectfully. Tt has brought only hardship and peril"
 T do not regret" and her eyes gazed frankly into mine. Truly I do not. TT ere was no other way for us tosisnow and love. Robert, if this was the end, I should be glad of my choice. I would rather go down here in these waters clasped in your arms, than to be com pelled to live on in the world without you''
 "AIy sweetheart; but I will not imagine such fate. We have strug- gled on through too much to have the end come in this desolate ocean. We must win-the Newfoundland coast is