San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-11

worth, how do you like dis weat-er"
Il don't like it very WE'LL" She
held fast to the slipping table. "Of
course, you'd tell us if there was any
danger"
Not bit of danger. ,Yust a
squall. Dis isn't rough-you ought
to see what it would be outside dis
chain Of islands. But it's mighty
chilly" He poured the stiff urlnk
down his great throat, then buttoned
his coat tight.
Ned, for a moment secretly ap-
palled by the storm, felt his old reck-
lessness returning.
"There's only three or four shots
left in this bottle" he said, holding
up the second of the two quarts he
had taken from the case. you'd
better have one more with US before
you 60. A man burns up lots of
whiskey without hurting him any on
a night like this. Then take the bot
tie in with you to KEEP you warm at
the wheel"
Knutsen needed no second urging,
He was of race that yields easily
TO drink, and he wanted to conquer
the last, least little whisper of his
fear of the night and the storm. He
drank once more, pOcketed the bot
tie. then made his way to the pilot
house.
"You're not going to try to ride
her through" McNab asked, as he
yielded the wheel.
"Of course. You're not afraid of
little furry like dis"
ATcNoh ctnrob info btc U1iftarinv
eyes. and for moment his lips were
tightly compressed. "This isn't
little furry" he answered at last
coldly. Its young gale, and God
knows what it will be by morning.
You know and l know we shouldn't
attempt things here that we can do
with safety in waters we're familiar
with. Right now we can run into
the lea of Ivan Island and find a
harbor. There's a good one just south
of the point
"We're not going to run into Ivan
Island. l want TO feel dry land.
We're going to head on toward Tar
Island"
"You run a little more of that bot
tie down your neck and you'll be
heading us into hell. Listen. Capn,"
McNab paused, deeply troubled. "Iou
let me take the wheel. and you go in
and celebrate with the party. You
don't do any damage then"
"And you get back to your engine
and mind your own business. Little
angry points Of light shot into Knut-
sens eyes.
McNab turned to the door. where
for a moment he stood listening TO
the wild raging Of the wind. Then
he climbed down into the engine
room.
There was nothing in his face, as
he entered. to reveal the paths of
his thought. He was wholly casual.
wholly commonplace, seemingly not
in the least alarmed. He stepped TO
Bess' side. half smiling.
Il wonder if you can help me?"
he asked.
The girl stood w. straight, ath-
letic figure at his side. Ill try, of
course
1T depends-have you any in
fmence with young Cornet?'
Bess slowly shook her head. I'm
afraid ] can't help you,' she told
him, very gravely. 81 have no in
fluence with him at all. What is it
you wanted me TO do?'
II wanted you to tell him TO put
up the booze. Particularly TO keen
the captain from getting any more"
There's only one way" The girls
lips were close to his ear. else he
couldn't have heard in the roar of
the storm and the flapping of the
sails.
McNab looked at her as before
now he had looked at strong men
with whom he had stood the watch
What are you gettin' at?"
His voice was Gruff. but it didn't
offend her. She felt that they were
on common ground. !
You know as well as I do.
promised his father before left that
I'd look after Ned. He was i'll ear
nest-and Ned needs looking after
now il he ever did. Mr.. Cornet won't |
blame me, either. Show me how to
get down in the hold"
McNab suddenly chuckled and