Charlevoix county herald., 1918-03-22

"Can we help any way. captainf
came a voice from the group.
mo. We're doing everything pos
sible. Don't worry. that's ALL" and he
ran aft.
The foredeck was almost as light
as day. Isabelle. her arm around me,
stopped US In the shadow. I'VE must
7 get away now" she whispered. We
have been given this chance"
kissed her softly. "We'll stay and
help as we can. Isabelle. Wen not
worry about that. Only" I chuckled,
Il hope the irons burn up!"
A tiny girl. one Of family Of three
children, the, only little ones aboard.
came running toward US. having bro
ken away from her distracted mother,
and she was laughing. delighted with
the hight flames and excitement of
confusion. Isabelle ran for her, and
the little tyke, thinking II was q race,
toddled across deck shrieking with
Joy. Isabelle made a quick capture.
carrying the babe to her mother.
"Tll look after this one, IL may"
she volunteered, and I knew there
would be nothing more said about es-
cape.
There was little excitement and few
signs of fear among the passengers,
the fire being toward the stern Of the
boat. and the efforts to control It an
fndistinct turmoil of shouted orders,
hurrying feet. the crash of falling tim
bers. and. over all, the roar OF the
flames. Suddenly the mate and q
number Of the crew dashed around
the deck-house. and simultaneously
Captain Blake appeared again on the
bridge. We'll take to the boats now,
/ people" he cried. Take 1t easy,
.therell be room for all. Women and
children first. Of course" and he
smiled quite naturally.
. There's a brave mani" said to
Isabelle, involuntarily paying my trib-
ute of respect to his GOODNESS. Even
IL he did want to jail me-" ! added
laughingly.
The forward bow port-boat was In
three. with her wee babe. was lowered
carefully into the arms Of the waiting
oarsmen. The oldest child, boy of
about nine, went next, then four wo-
men passengers, Isabelle passing her
turn when 1t came. BY this time a
second boat was under the lee, and
was being rapidly filled by men who
could slide down the falls.
go down, Isabelle" / commanded.
as the mate turned to see that the
women were all taken care Of. take
the kid to her mother"
At that second there came an explo-
sion which almost shook US from our
feet. gripped Isabelle to hold her
up, and she chung to the child. From
the boat, the mother gave an agonized
cry and held out her arms for the
babe. Then a man seized the little
one, leaping over the rail into the
water, and we saw the two dragged
into the boat, father and child.
Pull away therel" roared Captain
Blake. SBoth boats away'-and- the
men at the oars gave quick obedience.
In another moment wide span of
water separated ship and boats, and
Isabelle was still on the deck beside
me. s.- t.- rF-
Reedley came running up to us. and
His round and ruddy face was smear
ed with smoke and sweat. We're
left, by God" he swore: then, seeing
Isaballe. he Immediately began an
apology for his. profanity. r,s,
How long will we float?" ! asked
him, spelling his effort.
"Ten minutes-five. She's settling
fast. Well try to- lower the" But
Captain Blake interrupted him. He
came up to US, shouting orders to the
four men still aboard, orders that
sent US all scurrying to the starboard
boat. In a minute we had the tarpau-
lin OF and the dory hanging over the
side.
Get I'M" he ordered Isabelle, and
grasped her arm. but she shook her
self loose.
IN get In without help from you."
she cried, and climbed into the boat In
It's davits.
Blake scowled, not understanding
at all why she spurned his help. He
knew that he had been acting gallant
ly, bravely. and believed he was en-.
titled-as he waste the gallery ap-
plause. He did not know that her
dislike of his touch dated from the
display of Marconigram mentioning
'irons"
AT the bow falls, Reedley," he
shouted Keep her on even keel.
Now lower away!" and himself took
the stern falls that the boat might not
capsize In its launching. AS It touch
ID the water, the two seaman, who
lad dived as the boat ran down, clam
bered aboard.
- "Over you 60, Reedley, cried
Blake, and the purser dove.
Nov. Gilmore, you and together.
The last to leave the ship, her captain
and his prisoner" Just for that, was
glad Isabelle had shaken OF his hand.