The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-22
''A KNIGHT OF TODAY"
By Bannister Merwin- (Continued from yesterday.)
The Chase.

The Chase.
 raised my arm for the last time. Banks head would now have been a fair shot from a. steady footing, but 1t was a thousand to one against me here. If I hit him. his boat would not be stopped, but she might sheen woman could take the wheel; or we might manage to board her.
 was about to pull the trigger. Then Marcia's hand struck my arm up and I saw the strange thing that happened one the Swordhsh
 The figure of Micah Graham rose amtdships, his arms upra1sed, his white hair streaming. He gave a cry which came to us clearly across the dividing space; and then with a ewiftne ess incredible to one who had seen his feebleness. he leaped for
 It may be that the shock of his plunge into cold water had brought pack his reason-such things happen. He must have understood in that mo- ment the terrible thing that was hap pening, or he would not have done what he did.
 For he seized the wheeler of the swordfsh and. before Banks could stop him. threw 1t over had to port so hard that the narrow boat, though going at terrific speed, swung off at a sharp angle
 Her port quarter was now toward us, but her impetus still brought her nearer, almost broadside on And now she leaned-n1ore-more We could look into her and see Mrs. BuckIns- ham and Smith huddled in the bot tom. Old Micah had fallen an inert mass near the wheel.
 Farther over she leaned. Banks threw himself On the starboard gum vale and tried to right her with his weight. But even he made the effort, a wake struck her hard, and over she came. away over, appearing flor one last Instant like the rounded nT a f7Gn 4H YNf5 -crfv0
 A great bubble rose to the surface. The swirling waters churned into great scars that quickly vanished; and that was all. In our helpless the Sound.
 But no; g. black d lot bobbed on the | afi1 sqTfae stFanTiTE Ranks V9lHe fe5n, arf6e a cried again. and his arm and hand | stretched up into the night His po- etticn on the sunwale had saved him l when the Swordhsh sank. Marcia had found life preserver.
 "Quick!" she cried to me, and I threw 1t to the struggling men. He | would swim to it. I reasoned. and | noat in safety. for we could not Ter him drown.
 The life preserver struck near him. | He threw himself forward in the l water. but did not reach it. Strange, helpless.
 He made another futile effort. and | suddenly we realized what the mat ter was. Banks could not swim.
 "Save him," cried Marcia.
 An instant later I was overheard | and making toward him. It was too | late When I was still some feet | away. he sank; and though I swam | around for a time waiting,~h he did not i reappear. That strong man had | missed the one accomplishment he | neded al the last.
 After a time I swam back to the l boat, which had drifted away. It l was hard work to get in, for I was pretty we'll wearIed. Once over the | gunwale I rested to recover my breath. Marcia threw her arms about me.
 "Oh. my dear cae." sne whispered.
 "Sweetheart," answered, 'uoth- ing shall ever harm us now"
 "Oh. but Uncle Micah!" she sob bed "poor uclen
 'He saved us. dear" I comforted her; snd wrapping blanket around her. I induced her to lie down on one of the seats. Then I went forward end settled myself to wait the morn ang.