The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-02

strength that was in him. Back of he
smiling tnsolence lay a silken force
to match his own. She too had taker
what she wanted from life, but sh,
had won it by indirection. Manifest,
she was of those women who CONCEIVE
that charm and beauty are tools tt
bend men to their wills.
/ The dusky young woman with the
magazine was the first of those on the
upper deck to retire for the night. She
fitted so quietly that Gordon did moi
notice until she aad gone. Mrs. Self
ridge and her friends disappeared with
their men follsG calling gay good
nights to one anJther as they left.
Macdonald and Mrs. Mallory talked
After time she 500 vanished.
The big promoter leaned against the
deck rail, where lie was Joined by Self.
ridge. For a long time they talked In
low voices. The little man had most to
say. His chief listened, but occasion
ally interrupted t. ask sharp, incisive
question.
Elliot, sitting farther forward with
Strong, judged that Selfridge was MAX
ing a report of his trip. Once he
caught fragment Of their talk, enough
to confirm this impression.
did Winton tell you that himself?"
demanded the Scotsman.
The answer OF his employee came in
a murmur so low that the words were
lost. But the rame used told Gordon
a good deal. TIE commissioner Of the
general land office at Washington
signed his letters Harold B. Winton.
Strong tossed the stub of his ciga-
rette overheard and nodded good night.
A glance at his watch told Elliot that
1t was past two o'clock. He rose,
stretched and sauntered back to his
stateroom.
The young NAN had just takeh off
his coat when there came the hurried
rush of trampling feet upon the hur-
ricane deck above. Almost instantly
he heard cry Of alarm. He could Lear
the shutting of footsteps and the sound
of heavy bodies moving.
Someone lifted frightened shut.
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 time. A huddle
of men swayed and shifted heavily In
front of him.
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 Geek farther aft. One was
on top Of thu 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 bsat 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 Eurdled the tive in his
stride and plunged straight at the
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-fsted 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 a dozen was Colby Macdonald.
The very number of his Goes had
saved him so far from being rushed
overheard or trampled down. His coat
and shirt were In rags. He wGs bruised
and battered and bleeding from the
chest up. But he was still smuggling
hard.
They had him pressed to tire 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 to
brain him with billet Of wood. He
hammered home a short-arm Jolt
against the ear of the giant who was
giving him the bear grip.
Fhe big miner grunted. but hung on
like a football tackler. With a jerk
he raised Macdonald from the floor
just as three or four others rushed him
again. The rail gave way, splintered
like kindling wood. The Scotsman and
the man at grips with him went over
the side together.
Clear and loud rang the voice OF FL
Hot. "Man overboardw
The wheelsman signaled to the en-
CINE room to reverse and blew short,
sharp shrieks of warning.
''Men overboard--two Of 'eml" ex-
planned Elliot in shout from the boat
which he was trying to lower.
The first mate and another man ran
to help him. The three of them low
cred and manned the boat. Gordon sat
In the bow and gave directions while
the other two put their backs into
the stroke.
Across the water came call for
help. "I'm sinking-hurryl"
Tha other man in the river was n