The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-08-28
CHAPTER XVI.
A Floating Coffin.

The laboring boat rested so low In
the water it was only as we were
thrown upward on the crest of a wave
that / could gain any view about
through the pallid light of the dawn.
II was all a desolate, restless waste
In the midst of which we tossed, Will.
above hung masses of dark clouds OBJ
securing the sky. We were but hur-
Ting speck between the gray above
and the gray below.
The first thing needing my attention
was the food and water. / crept for
ward cautiously and soon had Sam
busily engaged in passing out the vari-
GUS articles for inspection. Only es-
sentials had been chosen. yet the sup
ply seemed ample for the distance /
believed we would have to cover be-
fore attaining land. But the nature OF
that unknown coast was so doubtful 1
determined to deal out the provisions
sparingly, saving every crumb pos
sible. The men grumbled at the small
ness of the ration, yet munched away
contentedly enough, once convinced
that we all shared alike.
"All right, lads" l said cheerfully.
"NOw we understand each other and
can get at work. Wen divide into
watches first OF ai.-two men aft here
and one at the bow. Watkins and |
win take it watch and watch, but
there is enough right now for all hands
to turn to and make the craft ship
shape. Two of YOU bail out that water
till she's dry. and the others get cut
that extra sail forward and rig up
lib. She'll ride easier and make better
progress with more canvas showing"
The men gradually knocked of work
and lay down, and finally yielded to
Dorothy's pieadings ami feii into
sound sleep. It seemed as though
scarcely lost consciousness, yet must
have slept for an hour or more, my
head pillowed on her lap. When |
awoke Schmitt was again at the steer
ing paddle. and both he and Dorothy
were staring across me out over the
port quarter
What is itY' ! asked eagerly, but
before the words were entirely uttered
hoarse voice forward bawled out ex-
citedly
There you see 10; straight out agin
that cloud edge. It's a full-rigged
schooner"
say" doomed another IAN headn'
straight cross our course astern."
! reached my feet. clinging to the
mast to keep erect and, as the boat
was again flung upward, gained clearly
the glimpse / sought.
SAY. you're right, lads r. exclaimed.
Its schooner, headed to clear us by
a hundred fathoms. Port your helm.
Schmitt-hard down, man. Now, Sam,
of with that red shirt; tie it on the
boat hook and let fly. They can't
help seeing us If there is any watch on
deck"
We swept about in a wide circle.
headed straight across the bows Of the
on-comiug vessel. All eyes stared out
watchfully, Sans shirt Tapping above
us. and both Watkins and Schmitt
straining their muscles to hold the
plunging quarter-boat against the force
Of the wind A man forward on his
knees growled out curse.
What's the matter aboard thereT'
he yelled. ibid yer ever see boat
yaw like that, afore? Damn me, if
believe they got hand at the wheel"
The same thought had leaped into
my mind. The schooner was headed
to pass us ON the port quarter, yet
yawing so crafty at times as to make
me fearful OF being run down acc~gn ] could
perceive no sign of life aboard, no
signal that we had been seen. The sight
angered me.
Stand by, all hands," cried des-
perately. "Well board whether they
want us or not. slip across Miss Fair
fax, out of the way. Now. Watkins,
easy man, don't let her strike us. Lay
hold quick, lads, and hang on for your
lives. Give me that end of rope
ready now, all of you; I'll make the
leap. Now then--hold hard u
1t was five feet. and up. my pur-
NAdSc tut tunSihE updls Dub y lduc "
one hand desperately gripping a
shroud, until gained balance and was
dung inboard by sharp plunge of the
vessel. My head was at level with
the rail, yet / saw nothing, my whole
effort being to make fast before the
grip of the men should be torn loose.
This done, glanced back into the up
turned faces below.
Hand in slowly. lads; yes. let SO,
the rope will hold, and the boat ride
safely through. Let couple Of men
come up till we see what's wrong with
the hoeker-the rest Of you trail on.
Let achnlitt and Sam come with me-"
4 helped them Chamber up and then
hffed nv body onto the rail, from
winch position I had clear view Of
the forward deck. 1t was mex
pressibly dirty, yet otherwise ship
shape enough. Nothing human greet
ed me, and conscious of strange feel
ing Of horror, / slipped over onto the
deck. The next moment the negro and
Dutchman joined me, the former star
Ing about wildly, the whites of his
eyes revealing his terror.
MY Gawd, sah.v he calculated. "Ah
done know dis boat--it's shore de
Santa Marie. Abs cooked In dat gal
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