The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
Social And Personal Doings In The Womans WorI

He ieaped forward; but it was his last step. I sent the cleaver hurtlins through the air. I know not how it struck him, but he went down, his last word a Shriek, his arms flung out in vain effort to ward off the blow. Schmitt roared out a 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 q hand grIpped my shoulder.
 ''Who are your"
 "Watzins The boats are ready. The one forward has pushed off loaded. The afterboat is alongside. There is such fog, sir, yer can't see two f6thoms from the ship. The girl is in the boat, but LeVere ain't. 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 I 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. I stared about, but Was able to perceive little beyond the small group awaiting my orders. The fog cIung thick and heavy on all sides, and 1t 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 l 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 I did so a yell reached my ears from the bIackness below-the hounds had found voice.
 I ran through the fog In the direc- ton the others had disappeared, and had taken scarcely three steps when I colIlded against the form of Q man, whose presence was not even noticed until we came together. Yet he must have been there expectant and ready, for a quick knife thrust slashed the front of my jacket, bringing 2 spurt of blood as the blade was jerked back. Even as my fingers gripped the uplift- ed wrist, ere he could strike the sec ond time, I knew ny antagonist ] knew also this was fight to the death, 10 be terminated before that unguard- d crew below could attain the deck. : t was LeVere's life or mine, and in z he balance the fate Of those others iD *ae waiting boat alongside. The knowl- Eadge gave me the strength and the E!erocity of Q tiger. l ripped the knife From his fingers, and we closed with i Eoare hands, his voice uttering one E,roakiug cry for help as l bore in on slis windpipe. He was a snake, a cat Eiipping out of my grasp as by some :nagic. At last I had him against the E-aiI, the weight Of us both so hard gIpQn it that the stout wood broke .2Rd we both went over, grappling un- fiI we spIashed into the water below. ! The shock Ioosened my hold; as ] { fought q way back to the surface
 was alone. My strength began to fail 1 hope left me as I sank deeper and deep CT into the remorseless grip of the i ocean. I was not afraid: my lips ut. ] tered no cry, no prayer-I driftcd out l into total unconsciousness and went i down.