Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-07-27

determination called upon every hour
of almost every day, with no time
for idle dreaming.
Until lately Seymour had felt SUI
perior to the coastwise trade, and
aimed ultimately at big liners where
mans social qualities found recog-
milton; but-there was an almost for
gotten thrill in plotting this stagger-
ing, dauntless fabric through the
worst storm the coast could send.
When the Minotaur gave a wild
lurch that sent her over to her BEAM
ends, and when Capt. Burridge came
reeling from the high side to roar
harshly, Jack took it as but an Incl
dent of storm-fighting. Seymour sud-
denly half-lost his footing, slithered
to the rail, and so far over it that he
begin to wonder if he were going the
whole way; anything might happen
on ships bridge in such a gale as
was then raging. Even when he felt
the captains hands rip his seabooted
leg, he believed it was merely Bur-
ridges natural attempt to steady him
self by holding to the nearest conven-
lent object. But Burridge suddenly
tugged and lifted.
Jack Seymour went over the low
dodger of the port-side brdge-rail
like a stone from a sling. He had a
moment in which to think how futile
all his hopes had been, and to wonder
if Dawn would be sorry when she
heard. He knew that he stood not even
a fighting chance in that yeasty brew
sluicing and laundering under his
falling nose. He wore thick winter
clothing and a long oilskin slicker
his seaboots alone were enough to
drag down a stout swimmer; and the
beat of the waves inevitably would
stun him before he collected his fight
ing faculties.
His out-thrown hands caught one
OF the cross stanchons that stayed
the bridges uprights; and they took
a grip-a dying mans grip. His arms
felt torn from their sockets as they
took the weight off his falling body,
but before his fingers were wrenched
free his feet had swung inboard. A
gray lee sea helped by washing him
through the stanchions. He came to
the lower deck with thud, and was
drawn back SO hard against the rails
by the Dreaming wash that he could
hardly get his breath.
Burridge scrambled back amidships
and clawing at the wheel-house door,
yelled: Mates overheard in that roll"
The helmsman was Hodgson again,
and Hodgson had memories.
mates amt lucky in this packet"
he growled after clearing his mouth.
well, sir? Helm down." He began
to suit the action to the word; and
as her bow swung, the Minotaur ship
ped sea that drowned her like
half-tide rock
Steady her, you lunkhead!" ripped
out Burridge. keep your course.
He's gone-that's all there is to it,"
1t was indeed no night to attempt
rescue. There were currents a.
plenty, with harsh and deadly shore
to leeward; and no small boat made by
man could live minute in the noun
famous seas. But with an eye to
future inquiry Burridge said: "Skip
out and heave a lifebuoy-it's hope"
He himself took the spokes-a hard,
pitiless man. His strength was in
credible as he ground at the wheel.
The ship was frantic.
Hodgson obeyed orders; he whipped
a buoy from its lashings and hove
1t to leeward; he craned over the side,
staring at the weller of curdled foam.
hoping to perceive the lonely black
spot that would be the drowning
mates head
Self-nterest demanded that Hodg-
son should do something. He wanted
the bosun's job, now that old-timer
was crippled; but in addition he had
formed a doglike admiration for Sey-
mour, who'd done things that hard
case Burridge hadn't dared to try. He
exceeded his orders to the extent of
dropping floor-grating over the
side. Then he returned to the wheel
householder than he ever remem-
bered to have felt.
mot a hope!" he reported. How
about calling out the second mate ?"
Hell be needed later. Go your
course and keep her steady"
You amt goin' to do a thing a.
bout it, then? ?" Hodgson asked sullen-
ly. Burridge's temper flared up. He
raved half-deliriously that he couldn't
be expected to wet-nurse every deep
NO n,. 60,