The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-03-17

other when nobody else would fight
them, tho thoy were Iast Cronic q
old Joe hunting had kept them IN
check IA bit. Nick Coambs had helped
They were afraid OF those two sca,
soned old salts
Mary saw tho sea rise. heard the
gulc begin TO howl.'thun she took her
fancy work below, clothed herself In
storm clothes, and returned TO the
deck 60 watch the big ship battle
against the elements, Towards eve,
ming tho skies wcrr altogether Rnuty,
and the low clouds scuddcd across
the maStheads with terrific speed
lleaping seas rolled up out OF tho
immensely OF the southern ocean. ris-
ing az the speeding ships flanbs.
gurglins ehoulishly as they looked
aboard over the six foot bulwarks
and dropped a few tons OF water on
the maindeck as reminder ot their
strength.
Wen take IN fore and mizzru
uppcr-topsails Mister Stevens"
Drake shouted Mt eight bells. when
both watches were awake Reef
the upper main topSail. and reef the
foresail, Have To do Il sooner or
later. nrttcr do Il now and avoid
having 10 call bll hands perhaps aur,
ms the night SEQ the jlby we'll
dashed down Keep the forrlopmast
staysz1ll ON her"
AYE. 8yr. sif"' replied tho mate
ciyilly III you'lI look out hero. cir.
TN lend hand Plenty 10 do"
Then came an army OF rain
squalls, marching across the roaring
sea In thunder and lightning dcyas.
tation, Dark. shapolcss figures
hauled and cursed in the seething
chaos Of tho full malndcek Unseen
demons howled and ahrieked alnft
above the worst the gale or squalls
could do,
\ binding flash OF lightning M
every inch of tho ships iabaHng
structure High upon the upper
maintopsali yard six shapeless yell
low olskinnsd sailou, fought pro.
tancly with the tormcntod rail. Tho
rain sinshcd down al them.
Haul that reef taykle tautr'
screamed VOICE. TITS all adnfty
There was momeutary hlackuess
after the lightning flash. then a sec
ond flash SO swift as 10 almost blind
the eyes Hut MARY satw yellow
figure hurtlo down out Of that upper
most chaos, scream still Oh his
lips, his poor cropping fingers catch.
ing a the black void Tho ropcyarns
that were only meant 90 hold his oil.
skin trousers and Jacket together TO
keep tho water from wctting him
mare than necessary. were unequal
10 holding his weight lie fell and
plunged into the sra,
"sian overheard" ahe screamed
She ran to the nearest ilgcbuoy. cast
Il loose and flung Il astern. finding
Drake at her side surprisingly. He
had seen the man lail He was man
enough 20 risk his ship by bringing
her around 10 the sra. But ia tni,t
instant the gale struck down with
all It's belated fury, and the big clip.
per lay over under laundering tons
Of water that swept away forever all
chance FOR the unlucky sailor natern
Better 80 below. Nary Drake
bAwIed In her ear. He ran AFT TO
help the helmsman: but she ala not
go. She gripped the rail and gazrd
enthrallcd at the grandeur or the
storm.
Men struggled art 10 haul the
malnyartls square.
They hauled suilenty. but haul
they must. IS they trooped on 20
the poop to pass storm Eusksis
around the spanker and gnff,npsail
they muttered about the man who
WIS gone.
WHO wuz it?''
Young Bawstonl bloody shymeT'
~Gawd blfmel Murdered. e w0as"
hieatsd 'Erb Oats This Old Man
wouldn't stop fer nobody Not pore
sailors. any'ow, bet e a cave 10
fer that bloody Judy. th0e'
"Arghl keeck you face in, Il you
no shut up suaricd Tony ut Erb'E
side. Mary heard 'Erb cry out In
terror AS they merged in the black.
ness att. She shuddered violently
Always something 70 strengthen that
ominous feeling Of impending dis.
as,er.
The men finished their work. and
the watch below WAS dismissed. 'Erb
loudly and fenrfully demanded OF the
mate that he be permitted to change