Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-03-30

"a NalSu anu save the men as muCn as
you can. We've got a dirty night ahead
Of US
Yes. sir"
How about the new hand? Doing his
share?" the skipper asked.
Mostly in the way. sir, but / keep him
hopping with the rest"
Very we'll, Mr.. Kennerly. Keep your
eye on him. 1 don't want to lose him
overheard. Don't let him take any I'M
necessary chances"
NO fear, sir. It's all 1 can do to keep
him from hiding out when a sea breaks.
He's got the heart of a rabbit"
At six bells Kennerly came below
again.
The water is gaining on us fast, sir"
he told the skipper. II just sounded the
well. Over three feet. sir. Another plate
must have sprung. Glass still fallingP"
he asked.
yes"
The two men regarded each other in
silence.
Looks like we've weathered the Horn
for the last time. Kennerly," the skipper
remarked.
Him." was the mates only reply.
Tell Corson to get the wireless work.
ing, and pass out another round Of grog
and keep all hands at the pumps"
Yes. sir"
When his mate had gone the skipper
went to the locker M got out the life
preservers and carried them into the
mess room. Then he buttoned his OIL
skin coat tightly about his throat and
went on deck with one of the life belts.
The Endymion was canted extrava-
gantly to the gale staggering through the
mountainous seas with her heavy cargo
like an overloaded pack animal wallow-
ing in s%nowdrifts. She seemed to have
lost all buoyancy and was ramming her
way through the smother and blackness
by sheer weight and stubbornness.
Capt. Austin made his way to the
wheel and tied the life belt around the
helmsman's waist, then he sent for
Sprohl.
The general manager came staggering
into the mess room, where The skipper
was waiting for him. His matted hair
lay plastered against his temples like a
wig pushed askew. and his pale blue eyes
regarded Capt. Austin stonily in the dim
light of the swinging cuddy lamp.
Il sent for YOU. Sprohl. to tell you
that we're laundering" the skipper said.
Il thought you might like to know."
Sprohl's face showed green in the dim
light. He stared with bullying eyes at
! the life belts on the floor. He tried to
speak, but terror made him inarticulate.
Il hope that you realize to what pass
your vindictiveness has brought you,'
the skipper went on. Il did not SEND for
you to gloat over your predicament.
When one is facing death little hates
and personal differences seem rather fu-
tile and foolish. / wanted merely to tell
you that l bear you no malice" He
paused n held out hts hand. Il hope
you feel the same about me-"
Sprohl made no movement. His lips
were working.
Have you tried to call for help?" he
finally managed to stammer.
"Corson is calling now, but even If he
succeeds in picking up a vessel they'll
not be able to do us much good in q sea
like this. They'll have their own hands
full
why don't you square the yards and
run before it?" Sprohl demanded thickly
And be popped by the first sea with
this heavy cargo?" the skipper calculated
He shook his head. Our only chance is
to ride it out until she founders. At the
rate she's taking water that'll be about
daylight"
II refuse to believe it," Sprohl whim-
pered. You're only trying to frighten
me. Some more of your inhuman treat
ment."
Capt. Austin tossed the man one OF
the life preservers.
Believe it or not" he said succintly,
but If 1 were you I'd put that belt on.
Corson, the second mate, came in just
then.
picked up the Corsair at Punta
Arenas, sir" he said. They're coming
Capt. Austin Strengthened up. His
broad chest rose under a deep intake OF
breath.
"The Corsairl" he repeated. Are you
sure, Corson?"
Eyes, sure, sir"
'All right; keep in touch with them
constantly"
Eyes, sir"
When the second mate was gone Sprohl
said tr%iumphantly: you can thank me
for that. When Miss Crowell got my call
off Banks peninsula she followed us
The Corsair has probably been securing
the Pacific ocean for us. You piratical
conduct will cost you your ticket, or my
names not Sprohl."
Capt. Austin's dark eyes narrowed tc
Sits.
Get back to the pumps" he barked
vi.
Daylight was Just breaking when the
Corsair hove TO windward Of the sinking
Endymion and launched two of her great
s~elf-bailing lifeboats. AS the first one
crept around the stern to leeward Capt
Austin ordered his men into the waist
of the stricken ship with their life pre-
servers.
THE youngsters hrsti" he ordered
Mr.. Kennerly. please see that this order
Is observed. Knock the first man down
who attempts to break It,"
AYE, aye, sir!"
Every man present knew that this was
for the benefit of Sprohl. Not one OF
them would have stepped out of his
turn. The boat hove TO within fifty feet
Of the Endymion, which was as near as
it was safe to approach in the heavy
sea.
"One at a time, lads" the skipper
shouted. Give them a chance to pick
you up"
The first, a lad of sixteen, dove over
the side. His life belt kept him high In
the water and a man In the bow OF the
life boat threw him a bowline and pulled
him in. Again and again the operation
was repeated until the boat was full and
bore away for the Corsair. The second
boat swung alongside and took of the
rest. Capt. Austin, with his log book
strapped under his life belt, was the last
to leave.
AS the second boat pulled away the
Endymion, bereft Of her helmsman,
swung broadside to the swells. The water
in her hold rushed to one side. For o
moment 1t looked as If she would turn
turtle. The life BOAT missed being Inn
paled on her dipping royal yard by q
matter of inches. Then the old vessel
righted herself and swung to ~starboard
She staggered n the wind, decks
awash, and went Town by her head with
the force staysail iuttering.
Half an hour later there was a confer
ence in the cabin of the Corsair between