The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-07-12

went OverDOaru. But now we ever Kept
right side up In this little dinky boat
when tibet big iron pot sunk is more'n
enybody but God could tell. We Just
couldn't do nuthin' but just hang on.
We wus way up there, sir, scrapin'
the clouds. an then down in q hollow
that seemed a mile deep an when we
come up out o. that, there you was, sir,
shootin' out o. the waves straight at
u.s. The girl. she saw you an
screamed; she'd have gone over after
yer, II hadn't grabbed her, an then
Red he got boat hook inter the collar
of yer Jacket, an we hauled yer In
over the side
THAT must have been hours ago.
quite a spell. sir. Something he'd
hit yer head. an 1t bled bit. The
young lady has been a-holdin' yer on
her lap ever since; she tore her
skirt"
"Never mind that. Mr.. Leayord," she
interrupted, 1--WE all of us did what we
could. Olson. will you pass back
biscuit and water bottle; Captain
Hollis will regain strength IL he has
something to eat"
biscuit.
How are we fixed on food? 1 only
want my share"
"We have had one apiece; there were
two bags thrown in: we can thank Nc
Cam for that, the poor devil"
The memory of that spectacle of hor-
ror. witnessed on the blazing deck
came suddenly back to me, and / hid
my eyes, every muscle of my weakened
body trembling. felt vera's arms hold
me tight.
"what is it, Robert? You are in
pain7"
mo; the suffering was mental. not
physical. IL saw McCann's death;
that was what held me on board so
long. Bascom got him: they-they
went down together. fighting in each
others arms. In sheet of fame. No
words can picture the horror of It.
Let's not talk of that any longer. IL
must keep my mind"
Yes. dear, we will not talk of It,"
tenderly. sour own situation is sure
ly bad enough; you must tell the men
what to do"
lifted myself. strengthened by the
appeal, eager to be diverted.
"The boat Is taking In water7"
mot a great deal. sir: she is so deep
loaded some splashes over the gunwale.
We're all right so long as the sea keeps
like 1t is now"
"Are you steering by compassT
mo, sir, by sun. just naturally
headed west; that's the nearest coast,
reckon7 Are these fishing seas, sirf"
The best In the world. I've often
read Of dory crews being lost in the
winter fog. and yet making land in
spite Of the storm and cold. II they
can do 1t In such weather. there is no
call for us to give up while the boat
floats. The first Job should be to rig
a sail; there is one oar leftT"
"Aye, sir. and paddle"
Good enough. Red, cut a hole in
that forward thwart with your sheath
knife; not too large now. Any can
vas aboard?"
"Only these strips"
They'll do for stays, and to make
secure. The sail will have to be shirt
Olson, how about yours7"
He peeled 1t of without word, and
helped me fasten 1t to the oar blade.
1t was rough bit of work, yet served
the purpose. and when we had stepped
the lmprovised mast, bracing 1t as best
we could with the paddle and the out
spread garment bellied out in the fair
ly fresh wind, the sight put new heart
into all of US. could but note the fell
lows staring ut it. and then ut the
rushing green water alongside, rs
though calculating our progress. No
doubt 1t was small enough. yet the
very knowledge that we were moving
at all tended to bolster our courage,
and arouse hope.
There was nothing more to be done
the boat rode fairly steady, and one
man could easily keep her clear of
water The others disposed them
selves as best they might, occasionally
exchanging word or two, but mostly
staring about at the expanse of sea.
Leayord lung on to the tiller, while /
held to Vera's hand, and we spoke In
low voices for each other alone.
what a mistake we made when we
chose this voyage" 1 said regretfully.
1T has brought only hardship and
peril"
Il do not regret" and her eyes gazed
frankly into mine. Truly I do not.
There was no other way for us to know
and love. Robert, If this was the end,
I should be glad of my choice. l would
rather go down here in these waters
clasped in your arms. than to be COM
| PEELED to live on in the world without
you.'
my sweetheart; but I will not
imagine such fate. We have strug-
gled on through too much to have the
end come in this desolate ocean. We