Evening star., 1942-10-15
CHAPTER XIX.

1t so. We rested. l was sore IN every
bone and muscle. felt as If I had
been flogged. !
The sea whose fury we had felt
was dreamy now, ominously SO, like
a tired and resting wild beast. We
felt some apprehension that 1t might
wake at any moment and claw us
down again. The last encounter had
left us with greatly lessened
strength, and we were afraid that
the next time one of us, at least,
might not get back into the boat.
We lay some time, recuperating
slowly. But the captain has a job
to do, I thought. so 1 pulled myself
to the forward thwart and studied
our position.
Tony reused eventually, and Gene.
Guess I'll overhaul the gear, "
Tony said, opening the tool pocket.
While he scraped with a f1ngernail
at f1ecks of rust on the knife, Gene
looked about for fish, but they
weren't venturesome today.
The old gray albatross was with us
again. Things were getting back to
normal.
1--WE aren't getting anywhere,
boys" I said. In the still and sultry
air the raft sat like lily pad.
Genes dunking had put some life
in him. Let's row awhile he said.
Bad hand and all the boy had quits.
westward ho" Tony said.
We rowed westward for eight
hours. Then, as evening came, we
again picked up an east wind, as
we had before.
Our evening prayer meeting al
ways raised Genes hopes.
Wonder who'll be first to see
land?" he remarked.
Tony rolled over on his back and
raised his knees to his chin.
Provide for Prize.
whoever does oughta get party -
he said.
Tell you what" I suggested.
"Whoever first sights an island or a
ship or something that rescues us, or
is the means by which we're rescued,
wins a dinner from the other two"
Anything he wants." Gene stipu-
lated.
He can pick the place. Tony
added.
Hotel, night club, anything" I
agreed.
Night club-boy!" Tony said. IF
I win don't wanta collect in Homo
lulu. IN take mine in Frisco
IF get it, it's gonna cost you guys
plenty" Gene declared
A lively discussion started. I had
"been around" more than the boys
anyway, they were younger-but
none of us was night rounder. We
talked awhile about the famous
night clubs we had read about in
gossip columns, and each of us had
a favorite restaurant somewhere.
We agreed, however, that the winner
had the say, and the sky was the
limit.
At length talk faded, and we tried
to rest.
The twenty-sixth day dawned
wearily. That last eight-hour row
left us weak. 1 know, at least, that
was never so strong again.
Today l noted with diSmay that
my feet and legs were growing numb.
Long days, long nights.
Minds Grow Dull.
Our minds were growing dull. 1t
was physical effort to talk. and we
did little of it. We shook ourselves
to a brief mental awakening when !
marked the calendar on the gunWale
counting the days backward one by
one. and to 27.
Hey, boys I called trying to
sound jovial-but I guess 1 wasn't
even fooling myself. Its our ami
versary! We've been in the water a
month-the twenty-e eighth day be-
gan a minute ago!"
Tony's lips moved, but his face
and eyes were without expression.
"Hurray,' he whispered tonelessly
I looked at Gene. His lips were
stretched. He thought he was
smiling.
Next morning sharks were about
big ones. I didn't like this very
much. 1 was afraid one of these
seven-foot monsters would rusf
against the boat, which might resul
In any of a number of miSfOrtuneS
I watched them closely and some
what apprehensively as they circlet
about, their dorsal fins out of the
water.
Gene would have taken the knit
and tried to stab the first one tina
came within reach, but I discour
aged this. With these big, tougl
babies, 1t would be lucky sta
indeed that caught one in a vul
nerable spot. if there were any.
thought the knife was hardly bi
enough-it was about Boy Scou
size. A hard jab against the shark
leathery hide might even break tn
blade, or knock the knife fror
Aldrichs hand. Any harm to tn
knife, I felt would be a major los!
1t was our only weapon now; W
would have to use it carefully.
"Oughta get a meal" Gene NUT
tered. He put the knife away an
said no more about it. All Gen
was willing to talk about now wa
food.
One Shark Worries.
One big shark was cutting clos
to the boat. 1 Strengthened my leg
painfully and leaned over the Sid'
watching him. He looked as thoug
he was up to some devilment an
I didn't like it at all.
The other sharks had moved som
distance away, probably scouting fo
easier prey than us, but this on
huge beast, speckled like a leopard
evidently still saw possibilities an
hung around.
Finally he drifted of few yard
turned sinuously on the surface an
with one powerful thrust of h
heavy tail shot himself straight bac
like a torpedo. He twisted to
stop perhaps foot away an
seemed to look me right In the ey
/. his wicked teeth showing.
I hauled off and banged hi
square on the nose with my goc
right fist. Well, that was one SUI
prised leopard shark. He whirle
eod u,bipped auav Hke n srar(