Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-17

fore attaining land. But the nature o
that unknown coast was so doubtful
determined to deal out the provisions
sparingly, saving every crumb pos
sIble. The men grumbled at the small
ness Of the ration, yet munched ava.
contentedly enough. once convinced
that we all shared alike.
"All right. lads / said eheerfully
Now we understand each other anC
can get at work. Wen divide int
watches first of all-twO men aft hers
and one at the bow. Watkins and
will take It watch and watch. but
there is enough right now for all hands
to turn 10 and make the craft ship
shape. Two of you bail out that water
till she's dry. and the others get out
that extra sail forward and rig up q
jib. She'll ride easier and make better
progress with more canvas showing
The men gradually knocked off work
and lay down, and finally / yielded t.
/ DOrOthy's pleadings and fell into q
sound sleep. II seemed as though
scarcely lost consciousness, yet / must
have slept for an hour or more. my
/ head pillowed on her lap. When ]
awoke Schmltt was again at the steer
ing paddle. and both he and Dorothy
were staring across me out over the
port quarter.
what is tit" 1 asked eagerly. but
before the words were entirely uttered
! hoarse voice forward bawled out ex-
: citedly:
There you see IT; straight out agin
that cloud edge. It's a full-rigged
schooner"
"Ay." doomed another. IAN headin'
/ straight cross our course astern."
| I reached my feet. clinging TO the
mast to keep erect and, as the boat
was again flung upward, gained clearly
the glimpse | sought.
"Ay. you're right, lads |" exclaimed.
| ats a schooner, headed to clear us by
hundred fathoms. Port your helm,
| Schmitt-hard down, man. Now, Sam,
Off with that red shirt; tie 1t on the
boat hook and let fly. They can't
help seeing US IL there Is any watch on
I deck"
We swept about In q wide circle,
headed straight across the bows of the
On-coming vessel. All eyes stared out
watchfully, Sans shirt tapping above
us, and both Watkins and Schmitt
stralning their muscles to hold the
1 plunging quarter-boat against the force
/ Of the wind. A man forward on his
knees growled out a curse.
whats the matter aboard there?"
he yelled. Did yer ever see a boat
/ yaw like that, afore2 Damn me, II
believe they got o 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. could
perceive no sign of life aboard, no
signal that we had been seen. The sight
angered me.
"Stand by, all hands," l cried des-
perately. wen board whether they
want us or not. slip across, Miss Fair
fax. out Of the way. Now, Watkins,
run us in under those fore-chains /;
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 !"
1t was five feet, and up. my pur-
chase the tossing boat. but l made It..
one hand desperately gripping a
shroud. until gained balance and was
flung inboard by a 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, l glanced back into the up
turned faces below.
bland In slowly, lads; yes. let 20,
the rope will hold. and the boat ride
safely through. Let couple of men
come up till we see what's wrong with
the hooker--the rest of you trail on.
Let Schmitt and Sam come with me-"
helped them Chamber up and then
lifted my body onto the rail. from
which position had a clear view of
the forward deck. II 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," he calculated. "Ah
done know dis hoat---it's shore de
Santa Marie. Abs cooked ia dat gal.