The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1919-07-12

the light, and the first croak Of his
voice told his purpose.
Now you skuIking cowards," he
yelled pointing forward, do you see
what you are fighting? There are only
five men between you and the deck.
To hell with 'em Come on! I'll show
you the way!"
He leaped forward; but it was his
last step. | sent the cleaver hurting
through the air. l know not how it
struck him, but he went down, his
last word Il shrek, his arms flung out
in vain effort to ward off the blow.
Schmitt roared out Dutch oath, and
his gun, sent whirling above ME,
crashed into the uplifted torch. Again
it was black night, through which the
eye could perceive nothing. Even the
noise ceased, but a hand gripped my
shoulder.
"Who are your
Watkins. The boats are ready. The
one forward has pushed off loaded.
The afterboat is alongside. There is
such a fog, sir, yer can't see two
fathoms from the ship. The girl is In
the boat, but LeVere amt. The mate
slipped out O. sight in the fog. He's
somewhere aboard"
"Never mind him; the fellow can do
no harm now. Move back slowly lads.
Schmitt and l will be the last ones
out"
We closed the companion door as
silently as possible and for the mo-
ment there was no sound from within
to show that our cautious withdrawal
had been observed. stared about. but
was able to perceive little beyond the
small group awaiting my orders. The
fog chung thick and heavy on all sides,
and it was impossible for the eye to
penetrate to either rail. Fortunately
there was no weight of sea running.
There is nothing more to keep us
aboard lads. Stow yourselves away
and hang on; I'll wait here until you
are all over"
They faded away into the mist, dim
spectral figures, and remained alone,
listening anxiously for some hostile
sound from below. Satisfied that the
lads were safely over the rail and the
decks clear, turned toward the ships
side. AS l did so yell reached my
ears from the blackness belOw-the |
hounds had found voice.
ran through the fog in the direc-
ton the others had disappeared, and
had taken scarcely three steps when |
co!lided against the form Of man. !
whose presence was not even noticed |
until we came together. Yet he must
have been there expectant and ready.
FOR quick knife thrust slashed the
'front.' of my jacket, bringing a squirt of
blood as the blade was jerked back.
Even as my fingers gripped the uplift-
I'd wrist, ere he could strike the sec
md time, l knew my antagonist. /
knew also this was fight to the death.
% be terminated before that unguard-
ID crew below could attain the deck.
t was LeVere's life or mine, and in
he balance the fate of those others in
he waiting boat alongside The knowl-
,dge gave me the strength and the
erocity of a tiger. / ripped the knife
rom his fingers, and we closed with
ARE hands, his voice uttering one
roaking cry for help as l bore in on
lis windpipe. He was snake, a cat,
Tipping out Of my grasp as by some
magic. At last l had him against the
all, the weight of us both so hard
pom it that the stout wood broke,
nd we both went over, graphing I'M
II we splashed into the water below.
he shock loosened my hold; as l
ought a way back to the surface
as alone. My strength began to fail,
Ope left me as sank deeper and deep
+ into the remorseless grip of the
cean.' l was not afraid; my lips ut
cred no cry, no prayer drifted out
ito total Inconsistencies and went
own.