The Argosy, January 1907 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IN THE DEPTHS OF DISASTER, of the sinking ship. The battle-ship, however, had ceased firing, for the cruiser had lowered the pennant, and we were all safe enough till such time as the ship should go down. but the movement of the vessel gave evidence that the end was near. She fairly floundered in the surges, and shivered, as if with human fear of im- pending dissolution. “There’s nothing for it but to jump in and take our chance,” I said. ‘“And the sooner we do it the better that chance is,” Billy replied. ‘“‘ We are done for if we get sucked down by the cruiser when she goes under.” I found a couple of oars in one of the boats that had a hole in its side made by a cannon-ball, and these I threw over- board a rod or so from the vessel. ‘Then the two of us sprang into the sea. In a moment we had reached the oars. Using these as supports, for we did not know how long we might have to remain in the water, we set out swimming smartly toward the battle-ship. We had gone but a little way when we saw boats putting off from the victor and going to the rescue of their swim- ming enemies. The sight relieved me much, for I had heard some unpleasant tales of the cruelties practised in times of war by these hot-blooded persons. And in this instance, I knew that there was no hope for us save in the assistance of our conquerors. And presently one of the boats came up, and we were drawn into it. It was hardly a minute after, and while yet we were some distance from the battle-ship, that the cruiser gave signs of the final catastrophe. She wallowed a moment in her death-struggle, then dipped a little, and disappeared beneath the waves for- ever. A few tardy men within the radius of her suction were drawn down in the swirl. [ watched for them to reappear, but they did not. I shuddered as I reflected on ‘their fate that had so nearly been ours. { had almost forgotten the fact that by the gift of chance I had unexpectedly become a prisoner of war. But I was reminded of this most unpleasantly the moment I stepped on the battle-ship’s deck. 211 Two men were on me before I could make an attempt to resist. They bound my hands securely and then pushed me roughly before them to a corner of the deck out of the way. Billy was treated in a similar fashion. I learned from the conversation of other prisoners that we were thus secured because the ship’s brig was crowded to overflowing with prisoners. already ‘“ Hope they don’t shoot us,”’ Billy re- . marked disgustedly. ‘Of course they won't,’ I replied blithely. But, to tell the truth, I was none too sure. : Then we fell silent, studying a scene that was wholly novel to us. I was com- paring the victorious insurgents with their captives, rather to the advantage of the former, when a stifled ejaculation from Billy attracted my notice. ‘“What’s the matter?” I asked. ‘“} think my troubles have driven me mad,” he replied doubtfully, “ but I do wish you would look forward and tell me whom you see.” Greatly puzzled by his manner, | turned and looked as he bade me. On the instant, I was petrified with astonish- ment. I stood with eyes popping and mouth agape. For there, with bound hands, within a rod of us, stood José. Before the first trance of amazement had left me, the outlaw edged near to us, so that he might speak without being overheard. “How did you get on the cruiser?” he asked with evident curiosity. “Without any help from you, you scoundrel,” Billy exclaimed. ‘‘ You did your best to murder us.” , José assumed a look of farcical hypoc- risy. | ‘No, no,” he declared earnestly. “I only left you for a short time, while I visited a place on the coast. I was on my way back when the gale was too heavy for me and the cruiser saw and rescued me. They put me, a gentleman, to work with the stokers. Curse them!” His evil nature had full expression in his face as he spoke the last words. Neither Billy nor I believed what he said as to his intention of returning for us. We had seen him commit one mur- EMOPNIELOOOKS $ Co!