The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-07-13

CHAPTER Vll-Continued.

V0AT Vbu"S0Uesu0SOs
-
However, our conversation lapsed a
fast, through sheer WEAKNESS on m.
mart l had been at the steering GA
50 long, staring out into that drear ex
panse Of ocean and sky, that ever.
muscle of my body ached. and my eye:
could scarcely be forced to remair
open. In the silence she must have no
ticed this, for she exclaimed suddenly
"Why, never thought! you must be
learly dead with fatigue. Let me take
the oar while you Sleep"
II am afraid l shall have to-" ad
mitted, 'for l must keep awake to,
night. You feel competent?"
"Why, of course; you saw me steer.
II anything goes wrong can call you
easily enough. Please lie down for a
few hours"
looked about, permitting her to
grasp the oar, and slip into my seat.
Really l feel as If l must" said
regretfully, "and there can be no dan
ger while things keep as they are. Call
me, though, if there is change in the
weather, for that jury mast will never
stand any weight Of wind"
Il promise; but am better boat
man than you think"
must have slept for several hours
undisturbed, for, when finally opened
my eyes once more the sky above us
was beginning to turn purple with twi-
light, and the breeze had failed, so that
the sail tapped idly against its impro-
vised mast. This, perhaps, was the
noise which had aroused me. sat up
wide awake instantly, and stared about
me In the boat. There was little
change noticeable; Miss Vera still
chung to the steering oar, showing no
outward signs Of WEAKNESS, and greet
ed me with a smile and nod Of the
head; but Mccain had moved forward,
and sat playing idly with an open jack
knife.
Il bear testimony that you slept well,
MI. Hollis" the girl said cheerfuIly.
4 did not realize until 1 lay down
how weary was" I replied, adopting
her manner, but really you had no
right to let me lie so long. Why, l |
must have been sleeping three or four
hours, and you will be tired out"
"Oh, no; 1t was no trick at all. The
wind kept steady until just few mo-
ments ago, and l do not feel in the
least fatigued."
And you have seen nothing7 no
moke, no sail?"
She shook her head, her eyes grown
grave.
Not thing; we seem to be abso-
uteiy alone in the immensely of the
one great wave after the
'ther. lit gets on my nerves."
1T certainly does; such a sight has
lrven more than one insane. But ,
WHAT does this mean? Why is the bis {
nit bag out here?" Il
! pointed to the bottom of the boat. {
eyond her feet. Her eyes met mine,
er answer made in whisper.
"He-he crept back here while was !
busting my oar, and took two"
"McCann?" G
Yes, he had the bag before no a
ced, and l thought 1t best not to anger
I'm then. for he held that open knife
his hand"
You should have called me-"
THE mischief was done before I had b
~ time. Besides 1 knew you needed a
e sleep. What are you going to DOR q
l smiled bit grimly, glimpsing him
meath the sail.
i am about to give Mr.. Fergus Nc
Inn. late Of New York, q little speci-
en- Of sea discipline which hope may
st him for the remainder Of this voy- Of
e." replied quietly. "Hold the boat ct
lady, Miss Vera, and leave me to at- hi
i'd to this degenerate son Of wealth." Il
crept forward, scarcely jarring the tt
Ill craft. and was beyond the Jury In
lst before the fellow had aroused
ncicntly from his knife play even to CT
e my approach. He stared at me In Al