The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-05
OH NNa N1Gp lE

VIII 81 TO u VIZ Tx
dashed up, breathless, and leaned
against the forward bulkhead out
Of the wind.
Sheets of rain were driving past
on either side, but they we're fairly
out of it.
Hes gone-taken the dinghy d
beat it," Bates shouted in her ear.
Fool He'll capsize, and that'll be
the end Of him! Good radiance.
But, damn it, he's got the necklace
on him.
Captain Hendricks came out of
the door Of Bruce's stateroom, OPP
posite, and heard Bates report with
interest.
Get in out Of the rain, you'll" he
commanded Mary, with rough ten
derness. How many sick people do
~ou think I want on my hands?"
How is hep" Mary asked.
Hurt bad" the captain replied,
shaking his head. Shot through
the shoulder. Too close to the heart
for comfort.
Hes got to have expert atten-
ton and have it quick. I'm pretty
good cobbler on the human frame
for ordinary ills, but this is out of
my range"
How are you going to get him
to a doctor?" Bates demanded
THAT damn snake has taken the
boatY'
de Iona? Why, the fool-that's
suicide in a high sea like this! And
if I'm any judge, he doesn't know
one end of boat from another"
Us there anything I can do to
help? With Bruce, I mean?" Mary
asked.
where's that woman of his? Do
her good to have little work to
do! No, if Paine needs any help
paine was the steward I'll let you
know. You run on to bed, child.
You're soaked through
HENDRICKS turned and yelled
Il at a passing figure who turned
out to be the quartermaster.
where's Sparks? Get him up
and at that radio again. Tell him
it's got to be fixed by daylight or
he's got no more job with me. It's
life and death, tell him?"
He turned back to Bates. IF we
can't get the radio working by day.
break, I'll send two men in the life
boat, but it's long pull.
The captain left, muttering ex-
citedly, and they heard him tramp
ing around up above in the chart
room.
Gone up to fix it himself" Bates
guessed. Good idea. That kids
been tinkering with in for days and
it's still blooey.'
Tell me about De Loma-where
is he now?"
Doubt if you can see him now.
The lightning showed him to me,
but now it's settled down to rain
you can't see your hand before you
face.
Grab slicker and We'll take a
look. Lord, I never expected this!
I'll bet the old man didn't either.
He liked to devil De Iona. Looks
! like he deviled him too far"
Wrapped in oilskins hastily Dor
rowed, they took telescope and
went around to the port bow. The
first crashing thunder and sky
splitting electrical flashes had given
place to a light, steady rain that
fattened the water.
Prolonged burst of rosy lightning
played over the scene, making it
light as day for two or three Sec
onds at time.
With the glass they searched the
surface of the water in the direction
of TT. jefferson without catching a
glimpse of the dinghy.
They almost had decided De
Iona must have landed, if he had
not drowned, when off to the right
Mary acught sight of a flash of
white.
He had stripped to his shirt and
apparently was rowing toward Bird
Key.
THE glass showed this was what
l. he was trying to do-at least
he looked over his shoulder frequent
ly in that direction. There is little
house on Bird Key, for what pur-
pose Mary did not know.
De Loma'S idea evidently was to
tie up there and seek shelter until
the storm passed, before setting out
for Key West. 1t was a daring
scheme, and one which only a truly
desperate man would have at
tempted.
The rain gradually had subsidized
and they could see him more clearly
now; the dinghy was not making
much Roadway against the high
waves, which were being. dashed ever
higher by furious wind.
Sometimes for minutes they lost
sight of De Iona and believed him
drowned. Then the white speck
rose triumphantly again out of the
trough of the wave.
There was neither direction nor
Roadway in his aimless rowing now.
1t was impossible to keep to a
course.
The sea seemed to be throwing
him nearer and nearer to Fl. JET
ferson, and no doubt he was too
confused by the roughness of the
water and the difficulty of holding
to his oars to know where he was
heading.
ITO Be COntinued)