Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17

They bailed her out and threw more
water over all.
They picked up door bearing two
praying men. They made them bail and
| throw water. So near the shore did
Tin Eye force his boat that the water
evaporated on it as it fell. The sails
were steaming sheets. The boat was
| too hot to touch. Tin Eyes fac" was
| boiled, for he faced the blaze. But a
cheer pealed out from the warship; her
boats came sailing in, following his
canny example. His boat was loaded
to the gunwales with cowed humanity,
babbling prayers. Once the terrified
folks were dragged into the boat. none
gave a thought to old Tin Eye as their
rescuer, but offered thankful prayers.
Tin Eye turned his back to the shore
and sailed out to the steamer. The
warship's boats were returning to their
ship. The sea held no more to be saved.
What was ashore was beyond power of
man to help. Tin Eye bH.sught the boat
alongside. The steamers plates were
too hot to touch.
Hold on to the line. I'll tow you
out where it's cooler, Murray" Chan
dler sang out, and Tin Eye looked up
quickly at the still new note. Young
| Pitt glanced up, too, and then he looked
thoughtfully, perhaps Understandings
at the grim old man, all burned and
Scared. gripping the tiller of the tow
| ing boat
In the bright light Chandler looked
| ghostly. His face had deathly pallor.
His eyes, though puffy, we're dark and
awfully sober. And Tin Eye noticed, as
he dropped his boat astern. that Chan
dler's clothing was charred and scorch-
ed. No other man was visible on deck.
Chandler had thrown the boat line
His voice was the voice Of young Chan
der, who had served as second mate
under Tin Eye Murray. All this was
apparent as Tin Eye sluiced water over
covering refugees, who protested against
the indignity now they we're safe. Pitt
bailed, and as he bent and lifted, groan-
ing with the pain of cracking skin, he
wondered what sort of material had
gone into the making of men like old
Tin Eye. The wonder of it made him
chatter. In sentences that were chop
ped short by his exertions at the bailer,
he told Of Chandler coming on deck
while he was in charge of the steamer
and the boats were first out.
Seemed crazed. Heat woke him up
he said. Saw where the ship was and
was going to leave the boats. Then he
fell down. Got up as you pulled along
I
man change like he did in my life. Like
ashes, his face was"
| y X X X
THEN the boat was taken on board,
out where it was cool. and until
Chandler kept the bridge. When Tin
Eye reported to him, Chandler stood
stiffiy erect until the report was made,
then collapsed on the deck as If all the
vitality had poured out of him or had
evap2rated. Tin Eye saw what had
not bssn clear before, that Chambers
| face and hands were terribly dry and
scared. The wrinkles were full of gray
dust. The reason was not far to seek
| Lying in his room under the open port
hole, the unconscious man had been
covered and half smothered with hot
ash. 1t was wonder he had not died
there. Instead. he awoke.
Take him below" said Tin Eye. TAX
to make him sniff ammonia and put
grease on his skin"
HE wouldn't take any grog, sir.
That's why he slumped down. brought
it up for him. Will you have 1t, sir?"
The steward was at his elbow. That
f1unkey had never before called Tin
Eye "sir" Tin Eye swallowed the grog
and was thankful for it. He blew his
whistle. and men crept out in answer,
now that the ship was seward bound
The warship foamed past, bound around
to the other port of the island with
her rescued, and the commander bell
lowed through megaphone:
Well done, sir! Do you want any
help?"
Old Tin Eye waved a curt acknowl-
edgment and negative answer, giving
the course to sailor, who took the
wheel. One man, who had overheard