The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-03
the harsh croak belonging to Jim

Cd you-you was asleep"
81 lay back to rest, but l was not |
asleep. monsieur--non, non."
"Well, we won't fight over that now.
You're The only Frenchman on board, |
and we want you on deck. Go on up; |
I'll stay here. Aye, man, yer better
leave the gun"
"Vat ees 1t, Monsieur Winter Why |
they want me on deck2"
"What's the difference. you frog
eater? But I'll tell yer anyhow. There
is a cruiser showing up OFF our port
quarter. which has caught sight o. us.
She looks Frenchy, and IL there Is n
hail, 1t will be up to you to answer
you are the only one aboard this
hooker who talks the lingo like ma
tive, see!"
Dubois stood staring, his lips parted
In sudden terror.
"a French warsheep; eet hail us?"
"Not yet; but they are bound to
question US, all right. There did you
hear that? A shot across our bows,
politely asking us to heave to; aye!
and we are slowing down; come, hurry
up on deck with you. Frenchy."
"But-but, monsieur, what ees " ]
can say? l know not re words, ze--.
re explanation"
"You speak French, don't your"
"Oui, monsieur, oui, but-but know
not what to speak"
"Well, don't let that worry you. Nc
Cam will tell you-but God pity you,
Dubois, if yon fail TO repeat 1t. Up
with you now, ana be lively about itw
All thought Of my former purpose
vanished from my mind as 1 realized
this new chance Of rescue. At any risk
1 must attain quickly TO the open deck,
where 1 could create an alarm suffi-
cient to awaken suspicion on board the
approaching Frenchman. McCann's
only hope of escape lay in some salts
factory explanation, which would lull
the suspicious of the French COM
mander-some lie smooth enough 80
prevent boarding and search.
Assured that White was beyond OBJ
servation of any of my movements,
crept cautiously around the stair rail,
and noiselessly mounted the steps. !
found the after part of the main deck
deserted, although forward of the
mainmast / could perceive dark
blotches along the port rail, where
members of the watching party were
observing the approach Of the French
cruiser. With heart beating like trip
hammer, / made my way along the
front of the cabin, until ventured to
peer over the port rail, secure that my
presence on deck was screened by the
deep shadows in which / lurked.
The CLEAN Of the stars alone re
vealed the glittering surface Of the sea
but the night was clear of fog, and the
black outline of the French warshiI
was plainly visible, approaching us al
half-speed, and silently closing up the
narrowing gap of water between the
two vessels. felt the heart come W
into my throat as gazed spellbound
every nerve In me throbbing painfully
A single voice echoing along thos'
decks yonder could blow us out of th'
water. Even as l stared ut the grin
spectacle. the slim figure Of man ap
peared Mt the end Of the bridge, ant
, a voice hailed us In French.
"Ahoy there! What ship Is thatT
, There was a shuflling Of feet abov
, me; then McCann spoke In English:
"The American freighter Indial
Chief, bound for Liverpool"
, ''Is there anyone aboard who speak
French?"
: heard them hustle Dubois forwar'
{ to the rail, and caught word or tw