Evening star., 1940-06-03
CHAPTER XII.
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CHAPTER XXI.
Continued
There was q terrific explosion
The Ventura seemed to jump up
out Of the water, then drop as
quickly back. Its hull gave great
shudder that swept from stem to
stern. The ship keeled over to port
hard, hung there for long
breathless moment before settling
back to even keel. The impact
flung the three in the stateroom to
the floor, and when they gathered
themselves up the dim lamp In the
passageway was out. They stum-
bled through thick darkness to the
passage. Reaching it, they were
flung violently about again as the
ship lurched far over to starboard
Cavanaugh's voice jumped out OF
the darkness. "We've got to get out
of here fast! A torpedoed ship can
go down in five minutes!"
Phil gripped Babs' arm. Come
on, BabS-run!"
The three of them stumbled on
and reached the companionway
They climbed it and reached the
deck painting. The night was an
eerie pink. Flames were eating
along the hull amidships. A thick
funnel of black smoke lifted sky
ward. The roar and cracking of
the fire rose to'a deafening crescen-
do. The ship was listing to star
board at a sharp angle. The entire
sloping deck was deserted. Out on
the Redeemed water four lifeboats
looked startingly white.
Babs fingers dug into Phil's hand
''1he boats are gone!"
"We1l have to jump. Come on!
Drop Babs Overheard.
They maneuvered the sloping deck
to the rail. Babs looked over the
side. then shrank back.
Phil. can't swim!"
That's all right" he said. He
nodded at Cavanaugh, and the two
Of them picked her up. Phil said
well be right with you, Babs."
They swung her over the rail and
let her 60. She plunged straight
first, and went under. Cavanaugh
swung over the rail and dived. He
cut the water close to where Babs
head bobbed up. Phil swung over
and dropped 1t was long, breath
taking drop before the water CLOSED
over him. When he came to the
surface he struck out for Babs
Cavanaugh was already there, hold
ing her up. Phil took her one arm
and, with Cavanaugh, started swim
ming away with her.
The white side Of a lifeboat
loomed ahead Of them. Voices shout
ed. Eager hands reached down fol
Babs. They gave her an upward
shove, and she was hauled aboard
The two men pulled themselves in.
to the boat. and instantly 1t showed
away from the spot.
Phil caught his breath, ther
moved to the bow where they hac
lain Babs. Nedya was bending over
her. She looked up and smiled
family.
shes all right, Philip"
And you, Nedya?"
She reached for his hand and helc
it tightly. Il too" she said. softly
The flames leapt high over thu
Ventura, spreading out like lone
vicious yellow-red tongues towarc
the bow. The forecastle and thu
bridge were afire. The ship KEEP
listing further and further to star.
board. Noise rolled across the wa
ter. = dull roar and q shrill crack
ling. A sudden breeze whipped thu
flames up and carried a blast o.
heat toward the retreating nfeboats
A dull rumble Of an explosion came
The Ventura gave a shudder. rollec
over and disappeared into the sea
Darkness closed down and only 9
few pieces of burning wreckag.
gloating on the surface pierced it.
Phil went to an unoccupied thwart
and unshipped an oar. Cavanaugf
already was pulling at the opposite
oar. Four other men were rowing
three of the Ventura's crew and 6
passenger. Two other women be-
sides Nedya and Babs Martin wer.
in the boat. The Ventures captain
Nordstrom, was at the tiller, {
dropping detected figure.
Phil pulled at his oar and said
"You ought to be satisfied, Cava'
naugh."
"You must think me q fool, Law.
renee"
Aren't your"
III wouldn't risk my own skin lik.
this"
You can't talk yourself out o.
this" Phil snapped. Martin and
caught you at the radio"
Accuses Count.
Martin and you aren't 50 smart,
Cavanaugh said, straining at his oar
do you think I'd be 50 dumb a