Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-05-30
CHAPTER HI-Continued

@I1AI Elk ttl-lOntlnued
s.
There were rumors at hume In Nor.
way that two cruisers and sixteen
German submarines had put out of
port"
Tie search officers comrade, who
had been looking around the cabin.
came over TO US when he heard all
this.
Il think we had better be goIng,r
he spoke up suddenly.
YES" replied the other. and they
went on deck.
They made no attempt at question
Ing the sailors or investigating the
sailors belongings
Your papers are all right, captain,
said the search officer, hut you will
have to walt here for an hour until
you get s'glal to proceed"
All right Mister Officer"
One OF my boys. who was OF pes.
simlsflc turn OF mind heard this. AS
he walked away from my cabin he
said out loud to himself:
Everything Is lost"
Down below were the members OF
my other crew, waiting In tile dark.
They were right beneath the fIuor OF
the deck, straining their ears to catch
any word that might give them an
iden how things were going on deck.
Tbnu hnu he val, ~, 44Is.
thing is lost" and took II for tile off.
cial word that we we're discovered
and for the command to do what was
to be done In TINT case. They III the
fuses of the three bombs that were
TO blow up the ship. and waited for
the matches to he opened to lei them
on deck TO the bouts. Tie fuses
would burn for fifteen minutes.
The British we're In their boat now.
trying 10 push OFF. But you can't hold
sailing ship In one rlnce like a steam
er. She keeps drifting. And the sue.
ton OF the Seendler as she drifted
held their boat so It couldn't get away.
What was still worse, 1t kept Shining
Mt, and II II got under our stern.
they would have been sure to see our
propeller. A sailship with a propel
Ter? Yes. sometimes. but we would
have been done for. as there was moth
ing to that effect In our papers. Seiz
Ing a rope. ! tossed II overheard 10
ward them.
Take the rope, Mister Officer, take
the rope" shouted as though clums
lily trying to help them
That made them look up. so that the
rope might not fell on heir heads.
henved the rope just as they were
sliding around our stern and away
The officers thanked me- and one OF
them. angry with his men for moi he
Ing able to push the boat Off, ex
claimed:
II have only fools on my boat"
Eyes. maybe you have" | thought.
land maybe you are the worst fooled
one OF all T.
My stomach was quite normal now
! was SO happy that | even felt us
though ! could digest thar qud- Of
tobncco The men on deck fell like
cheering and singing buI they had or
ders TO 10 on about their Jobs as
though nnthing unusual Ind been "a
ing on until the cruiser was far and
away. They Just grinned. bnr SO
broad were the grns that | thought
they would spill their faces.
My first thought was to bring the
happy news to the boys In the dark
ness down below. went TO one OF
the secret matches, which they had
fastened from within.
"Open." shouted.
There were vague sounds below.
"0pen up" called again.
Then | heard q muffled voice say:
"Onen the flood valves"
whats that?" | yelled. whats /
the matter? Open the hatchl"
The hatch opened | saw troubled
faces. could hear water rushing In
to the ship.
"By joe" shouted, ARE you try.
ing to sink my boat?"
could hear men running below TO
all parts OF the ship. climbed down
roaring. One OF the men spoke up.
They are, cutting the fuses and
closing the flood valves
Fuses, flood valves, by Joe H0w's
that happen, hy Joe?"
Then one OF the men said Blu!
some one called down that all was
LOST Afterward yon called open and
we thought you nieuni open the tlood
The fuses had been burning foi
eight minutes out OF their fifteen and
Of gallons Of 9niar Mere
pouring Into tie ship.