The daily Alaskan., 1919-05-29

black stains of blood everywhere. It was Manuels hand which had kindled the light. and the first croak of his voice told his purpose.
 "Now you skulking towards" 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 wayl"
 He leaped forward; but It was his last step. l sent the cleayer hurtling through the air. know not how 1t 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 Dutch oath, and his gun, sent whirling above me, crashed into the uplifted torch. Again 1t was black night, through which the eye could perceive nothing. Even the noise ceased, but hand gripped my shoulder.
 "Who are youT
 "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 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 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 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 remained alone, listening anxlously 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 yell reached my ears from the blackness belOw--the hounds had found voice.
 ran through the fog in the direc- tion the others had disappeared, and had taken scarcely three steps when I collided against the form of a 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 jscket, bringing 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 my antagonist. I knew also this was fight to the death, to be terminated before that unguard. ed crew below could attain the deck. It was LeVere's life or mine, and in the balance the fate of those others In the waiting boat alongside. The knowl- edge gave me the strength and the feroclty of tiger. ripped the knife from his fingers, and we closed with bare hands, his voice uttering one croaking cry for help as 1 bore in on his windpipe. He was snake, a eat, slipping out of my grasp as by some magic. At last had him against the rail, the weight of us both so hard upon It that the stout wood broke, and we both went over, grappling un- til We splashed lntothe water below. The shock loOsened my hold; as l fought way back to the surface l was alone. My strength began to fail, hope left me as sank deeper and deep CT into the remorselesS grip of the ocean. I was not afraid; my lips ut tered no cry, no prayer-I drifted out into total uncOnsciousness and went down.
 (Continued on Saturday.