The Argosy, January 1907 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

~» IN THE DEPTHS OF DISASTER. should thus be fed by our worst enemy. IT was revolted by the fact, but I knew that he did it from no motive of kind- ness, but merely to save us for his own needs, so my conscience was clear. From where we were we could see the few craft in the harbor clearly, amd José selected a schooner that lay about a fur- long off shore on the north side of the bay, next which we were. ‘There was no boat with her, and we hoped that she was deserted and would remain so for the night.. | There was, however, the possibility that some one was out of sight in the cabin. We kept a careful watch through- out the remainder of the afternoon, but no one appeared. We determined to swim out to the schooner as soon as it was dark and take possession. Now, at last, it seemed that we were in a fair way to escape, and hope was high in us. “We waited impatiently for the coming of night. It came at last. As it threatened to be overcast, we, remembering the black- ness of the night before, hurried our movements, so that we set out while yet it was only dusk. We feared that later we might be unable to find the schooner in the night. So as soon as the darkness was sufficient to conceal us from any ordinary observer on shore, and before it had quite shut out the shadow of the schooner, Billy and I stood with José on the beach at its north curve, where we were at a safe distance from the houses in the village. ‘Now we're all right, if the sharks don’t get us,” José said. ‘Sharks! Are there sharks here?” Billy demanded. 1 waited for the reply with an anxiety that was very close to fear. ‘Of course,” came the matter-of-fact answer. “In all these waters.” “ Then, last night——” I began. ‘“T don’t think they would stay around a naval engagement,’ José declared. “ Still, I don’t know.” “And they’re here,” Billy repeated thoughtfully. “One must take chances in_ this world,” José answered lightly, and he waded into the sea. At that moment I envied the man. He had courage, this bandit, though he shot his victims in the back. It was, I be- lieve, his single virtue. I stood hesitating. I heard Billy re- peat the one word “sharks,” and they were all my thought, too. But José’s action decided me. I[ could not afford to be beaten in bravery by the man I despised. I waded after him, and soon was swimming swiftly toward the schooner, Billy just behind me. But again I was reviling fate. Yes, all nature was against us. Storms and beasts. Crabs, bloodhounds, now sharks. My fancy had one before me all the way, and one on either side, and another at my heels. My imagination had some member seized at every stroke. By the grace of Heaven it was a short swim to the schooner. Had it been longer, I fear my courage, such as it was, would have failed me completely. José reached the schooner’s: side just before me, and drew himself quickly on board. I followed with all speed, for I had a horrible premonition that one of the monsters would snap a leg off me at the very last moment. Oh, the thrill of delight I felt as my feet came clear of the water—unharmed! It was followed by a chill of horror, for as I stood upright on the deck I could see very dimly two swaying forms just before me. The larger of the two I knew to be Jos—the other must be the schooner’s owner. ° I heard a strangled groan. ,The next second the smaller form shot over the side and sank with a loud splash into the sea. I made no movement, nor did Billy, who was now at my side. José vanished into the cabin. In a moment more he reappeared and approached us. ‘“ Get up the anchor, one of you. other help me make sail.” I bade Billy to the anchor and went with José. Now I saw that he had two guns thrust under his arm. Again I cursed fate. He had both of us in his power for the second time. But I said nothing, only made haste to get up the sails. Presently the sails bellied. José sprang to the helm. Billy and I took our places amidships, ready to obey any commands of .our skipper. ‘The Scomichvoo <S) O15 (E@)