Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-01-17

From His Grasp.
fool You flooded the engineroom.
Tony?''
"Sure I did, with both cocks wide
open; there's five feet o. water in her
by now"
"Good; then it's time we're off. Send
hand up here to help me, Liverpool
the girl won't go along"
The men below laughed at his trouble.
Cant yer handle that little bit o.
thing, mister?'' sang out a new voice,
without the help o. sailor MANI"
"Stow it, Joe Sachs" roared Red,
and there was the dull thud of a fist
blow. snow up yer go to give the lady
lift, me lad. Jump er I'll take the
tiller ter yer next"
Sachs must have started his upward
climb, for Mccain drew back from the
rail, and, as he did SO, the girl broke
free from his grasp. The man, how
ever, although apparently taken by sur
prise, was quick enough to get between
her and the companion. She only eS-
capped the grip of his hand by shrink
ing back against the rail. I was al
ready on my feet, and, as Mccain
wheeled about, we fronted each other.
I gave him no time even to utter q cry
of alarm, my only thought being to rid
the deck of such scum. Before he
could move to escape, or even throw
up hand in self-defense, had him by
the throat, my other hand twisted in
his waistband. He was a man nearly.
If not quite my own weight, yet, at
that moment, mine was the strength of
giant, and with one mighty effort !
lifted him clear off the deck, as help
lose In, <rrsv, he, ho6 hno n
child, and, with one desperate heave.
swung him out over the rail, and let
go. I staggered back, weakened for an
him cry out, the sound muf11ed in his
throat as he fell; Vera gave utterance
to q sob, and the whirling body struck
the black water below with splash
plainly audible. Still gasping for
breath. leaned out and looked down.
The only light was lantern held up in
the hands of man in the boat at the
foot of the ladder. 1 could see his face,
and the dim figures of three or four
others; beyond that narrow radius all
was black. I could not even perceive
Sachs. half way up the ships side, yet
knew he was there, clinging tight, be
cause of the tautness of the rope
strands. There was no need to conceal
the facts longer; we must fight in the
open now
'Ieayord, come here" I ordered
"And you, Olson, take the wheel, and
ring the engineroom for full speed
ahead Jump into it lads" I sent my
voice below. stern with threat
"Get down that ladder, Sachs, Just
as quick as God will let you. Let go,
you man with the lantern, or we'll
swamp you alongside. Do you hear
the steam, Liverpool It's full steam
ahead, you foo1!"
It was Reds voice which replied:
SIS that you, captain? What hap
pened? Who went overboardT
"McCann; he's astern of you, and
you better pick him up as you go.
Move quick! You haven't a second to
lose Man, you'll be sucked under. II
You don't let goI"
They were seamen enough to realize
the imminent danger of their position
Liverpool and White both called out,
and the others. graspfng their oars,
backed water furiously. saw Sachs
tumble back into the boat, and a face
or two staring upward Voices roared
at us, the fellows cursing Justify; then
the darkness seemed to swallow them
completely. and knew from the
tremor OF the deck planks that we
were underway. sprang to Vera, and
lifted her to her feet