Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-04-05

ne neard cry or alarm. he could near
the shutting of footsteps and the sound
of heavy bodies moving.
Someone lifted a frightened shout.
Help! Help" The call had come,
he thought, from Selfridge.
Gordon flung open the door of his
room. raced along the deck and took
the stairs three at q time. A huddle
of men swayed and shifted heavily in
front of him.
Even as he ran toward the mass,
Elliot noticed that the only sounds
were grunts, stertorous breathings,
and the scraping of feet. The attack
ers wanted no publicity. The attacked
was too busy to waste breath In futile
cries. He was fighting for his life.
Two men, separated from the crowd,
lay on the deck farther aft. One was
on top of the other, his fingers clutch
ing the gullet of his helpless opponent.
The agony Of the man underneath
found expression only in the drumming
heels that beat a tattoo on the floor.
The spasmOdic feet were shOd in Ok
ford tans of an ultra-fashionable cut.
No doubt the owner of the smart foot
wear had been pulled down as he was
escaping to shout the alarm.
The runner hurdled the two in his
stride and plunged straight at the
struggling tangle. He caught one man
by the shoulders from behind and flung
him back. He struck hard, smashing
blows as he fought his way to the heart
Of the melee. Heavy-fisted miners with
corded muscles landed upon his face
and head and neck. He did not care
straw for the odds.
The sudden attack Of Elliot had
opened the pack. The man battling
against dozen was Colby Macdonald
The very number Of his foes had
saved him so far from being rushed
overheard or trampled down. His coat
and shirt were in rags. He was bruised
and battered and bleeding from the
chest up. But he was still smuggling
hard.
They had him pressed to the rail. A
huge miner, head down, had his arms
around the waist of the Scotsman and
was trying to throw him overheard
Macdonald dashed out and landed flush
upon the cheek of man attempting tC
brain him with a billet Of wood. He
hammered home short-arm jolt
against the ear Of the giant who was
giving him the bear grip.
The big miner grunted, but hung or
like a football tackler. With a jerl
he raised Macdonald from the fool
Just as three or four others rushed hin
again. The rail gave way. splinteret
like kindling wood. The Scotsman ant
the man at grips with him went ovel
the side together.
Clear and loud rang the voice Of Ell
hot. "Man overboardw
The wheelsman signaled to the en-
CINE room to reverse and blew short
sharp shrieks of warning.
"Men overboard-twO Of 'emw ex
planned Elliot in a shout from the boa
which he was trying to lower.
The first mate and another man RAJ
to help him. The three Of them low
cred and manned the boat. Gordon sa
in the bow and gave directions Will,
the other two put their backs int
the stroke.
Across the water came a call fOl
help. I'm sinking-hurry"
The other man in the river was ,
dozen yards from the one in distress
With strong, swift, overland stroke,
he shot through the water.
"All right" he called presently. "rv'
got him."
The oarsmen drew alongside tn
swimmer. With one hand MACEDONIA,
caught hold of the edge of the boat
The other clutched the rescued mai
by the hair of his head.
"Look out. You're drowning him,
the mate warned.
"Am II" Macdonald glanced witt
mild interest at the head that hat
been until that moment submerged
"Shows how absent-minded a man gets
/ i W DIS III" hC tiiCo ~
drown me. / expect"
They dragged the miner aboard.
eco ahead. I'll swim down." Mac
donald ordered.
Better come aboard" advised tn
mate.
mo. I'm all right"
The Scotsman pushed himself bacl
from the boat and fell into an cas-
stroke. Nevertheless. there was pOwe
in 1t, for he reached the Hannah be
fore the rescued miner had bee
helped to the deck.
A dozen passengers, crowded on tn
lower deck, pushed forward eagerl
to see. Among them was Selfridge hi
shirt and collar torn loose at tn
neck and his immaculate checked sui
dusty and disheveled. He was wearing
pair of up to date Oxford pumps.
Macdonald shook himself like New
foundland dog. He looked arOun,
with sardOnic amusement, n grin Of
his swollen and disfigured face.
"Ouite pleasant welcome home" h
said ironically, his cold eyes fixed OIL
n face that looked as If 1t might hav,
been kicked by healthy mule. "Eh
Trelawney?"
The Cornishman glared at him, an,
turned away with low, savage oath
"Are you hurt. Mr.. Macdonald?
asked the captain.
Hurt! Not at all. captain. 1 Gu
myself while was shaving this morn
ing-just a scratch" was the ironi