Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / Aug. 6, 1909, edition 1 / Page 7
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: t | The Captain of \ \ \ the Kansas. I ?? !? 4 b I 2 By LOUIS TRACY. fc * Author of "The W.ngs of the Morning.*' ^ 4 "TKe rilUr of Li?ht," Etc. ^ i 1 2 ? E 4 Copyright. 11W6, by Edward J. Clode. t. JrTTrTTVTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTE CHAPTER XVII. ISOBEI.'S drooping was of brief endurance. Elsie aud Mr*. Ko:u ervllle supported her to the state roorn, aud there Elsie Hat with her a little while soothing her an oue might comfort a child iu puii4 Isobei, stupefied by some haunting knowledge which appeared to have a vague connection with the misfortunes of the Kansas, yielded to Elsie's gentle compulsion and endeavored to close her eyes. Through the open port Elsie heard a Ulan walk rapidly along the deck and halt outside the door. She half rose from her knees to answer the expected knock, thinking that Mrs. Somerville huil sent a steward to ascertain if Miss Baring needed anything, but the new comer evidently changed bis mind and turned back. Then came Courtenay's voice, low, but compelling: "One moment, M. de I'oiucllit. A word with you." "Another time, m'sieu'. I pray you pardon mo now. I find I am not strong enough yet to venture on deck." "Oh, yes, you are, m'sieu'. I want to give you the chance of your life. Mr. Gray has told me of your behavior, and he charitably added that your cow ardice and treachery might have arisen from ungovernable fear. Now, if you wish to atone for your conduct, here is an 'opportunity. I am taking a boat ashore to try to save some of my men who are imprisoned there. There is a fair risk in the venture. The outcome may be death. Will you volunteer to take an oar? That would whitewash your weather marks." "It is impossible. I am too feeble. I cannot row." "Ah, you swine! Can it be possible that you are a Frenchman? What sort of countship is it you boast of?" "Sir, I am a passenger on this ship"? Courtenay's voice was raised a little. "Mr. Boyle," he- said, "give %rders that if this skunk shows his nose in side the salon again he Is to be kicked out. He can eat his meals in his state room or in the fore cabin with the oth er savages." Elsie heard every word. She fancied, too, that Isobei was listening, though she gave no sign. But the unknown cause of the captain's anger was as naught compared with the statement that he was about to leave the ship. She had heard the lowering of the boat without heeding. He was already climbing down the ship's side. Soon he would be far from her. perhaps nev er to return, for he was not oue to paint imaginary Ills, aud had he not told De Poiucillt what the outcome of the undertaking might be? She found Isobei looking at her with frightened i eyes. "Did you hear?" came the tense whisper. "Yes." "And you are content to let liim go?" "Ah. God! Yes, content." "But It is folly. He is the captain. He should not go. We have risked enough already. Who are these men for whose sake he leaves you and all of us?" "I know not, nor do I greatly care. May heaven help me and them. We are his first care. Let it be mine to leave him unhindered in the task he has undertaken." Isobel was cowed into silence. El sie's hero worship had reached a height beyond her comprehension. She would never understand how a wo man who loved a^nan could send him voluntarily to his death, and her shal low mind did not contemplate the pos sibility of C'ourtenay's refusing to be swayed by any other consideration than that which his conscience told him was right. Thus at arm's length, as it were, they waited until they caught the sharp command "Give way there!" and the plash of oars told them that the boa' had really started on its jourirey shore ward. Then Isobel, glancing furtively at her companion, saw the tears steal ing down her cheeks, and the situation came back from the transcendental to that which was intelligible to her low er Ideals. "I am sorry," she whispered, catch lng Elsie's hand timidly. "I said what I thought was for the best. At any rate, it is too late now." Too late! The other girl groped blindly for the door. She felt that she would yield to the strain if she did not go on deck and catch a parting glimpse of the man who had become dearer to her than life itself. ? On the poop she found Boyle, Chrls tobal. Gray and Walker. A number of Chileans were leaning over the rails of the main deck. All the men were talking earnestly. It was ominous that they should cease their conversation the Instant she appeared. One man may conceal his fears, but twenty can not. She brushed away the tears deter mindedly and looked at the* boat, al ready a white speck on the green car pet of the bay. She could see Courte nay distinctly. Some magnetic Impulse must have gone out from her. Iiecause she had not l>een watching him longer than a couple of seconds when he turned and waved his hand. She re plied Instantly, fluttering a handker chief, poor girl, long after It l>ecame impossible for her to distinguish wheth pr or not he i eturneij her signals. ??- ? At last she turned to Mr. Boyle, who was nearest to her. "Who Is sitting next to Captain Cour tenay?" she asked, and she had a fleet Ins Impression that be was anxious foi her to speak, so quickly did he answer "Tollemache. He shinned dowu the' ladder as the first volunteer. The skipper ordered him to get out. but he said he was deaf. Auyhow, I'm glad, he is there. Courtenay ought to have one sure enough white mau by his Bide." "And what are they attempting?" "Huh. It's a bold plan, an' I'm noi goln' to condemn it on that account Have you heard this inorniu's news how Suarez found out from the In dians that eleven of our crew are hid j ing In a cave on iSuauaco hill?" "Something of it, not all. But why why has Captain Courtenay gone oft In such a hurry?" "Well. Miss Elsie, he figures that an open effort by daylight is the only waj ; to rescue them. They will have seen our signals, an' they can hardly fai to sight the boat. When he is clost j Inshore they are sure to make a dash for it, an' he hopes to get them off ] before the Indians wake up to tin ! game he is playln'. There are eight men in the boat, and with eleven oth ers to help there shouldn't lie much difficulty in keepln' the savages at a proper distance." "How soon?will he?reach the land ing place?" "Iluli. Maybe an hour, an' anothei hour for the home trip. He'll be aboard for tea." Boyle uttered that concluding state ment a trifle too airily. Elsie for the first time in her life knew what it meant to want to scream aloud. "Did Captain Courtenay leave any message for me?" she demanded. "Huh?message! Why, he will be away only a couple of hours!" "Surely you will tell me, Mr. Boyle?" she pleai ed wistfully. "Well, * happen to know there's a letter it. the doctor's hands, but that is to be gi.-pn you in case of accident alone. And there's no sign of any ac cident yet, thank goodness!" Elsie clung to the after rail and watched the boat, now a tiny dot hard to discern amid the ripples caused by the Inflowing tide. Her intimate ac quaintance with the dally happenings of life aboard told her that Courtenay had chosen the last hour of flood for his effort, thus gaining the advantage of the ebb in the event of the lifeboat being pursued by canoes on the return journey. By degrees a tender little sprig of hope peeped up In her dulled consciousness. The boat was very near the distant rocks, and there was neither sight nor sound of the Indians. Could it be that they were afraid?al together broken and demoralized by the slaughter of the preceding night? Suddenly she had a breathless desire to know why Courtenay was so sure that the men to whose help he had gone were really memlters of the crew. "Will you tell me now what it was that Suarez found out?" she mur mured to Christobal. The doctor quickly appreciated her need of material for further thought. He suppressed no detail except his own willingness to take Courtenay'* place in ' ie l?oat. When Elsie heard of the duplicity practiced by Suarez it was good to se? the hot Indignation which reddened her brow. With all a woman's single mindedness she regarded the Argen tine miner as being directly responsi ble for Courtenay's hazard, nor would she listen to Christobal's mild protest that ndthing could have been done earlier, no matter how outspoken Sua rez chose to be. The Spaniard encouraged her to de bate this point?anything was better than the dumb pain of thought?but their talk ceased abruptly when a mut tered exclamation from Gray sent Walker flying to the chart house. Forth with the trumpet shriek of the siren sent its wild boom across the silent waters. Elsie needed no explanation of this tumult. Otter creek was not so far distant that canoes quitting its shelter could not be seen with the nak ed eye. She counted sixteen putting forth in a cluster, and they all made for the adventurous lifeboat. "That is exactly what oi:r captain expected," Ohristobal was ready to as sure her. "lie was certain he would reach the head of the bay before the Indians awoke to the meaning of his icheine. By this time, unless his plaL fails, the men on shore should hav? Joined him, no matter what number of savages may seek to oppose their passage to the boat. The only doubt ful question is. Will he l>e able to beat off the rascals who are now cutting his line of retreat?" "Huh," growled Boyle. "The skip per's out of sight now. Gone into a small creek or somethin' of the sort. Hope lie heard the horn. Let her rip!" he added in a loud shout over Ms shoulder, and again the siren flung a warning to the foot of the mountain range. It was evident that the wonderful eyesight of the Indians practically equaled the range of the telescope. The men in the canoes were aware of the lifeboat's disappearance, and their wet paddles flashed in the sun as they tore across the three miles of open water which separated the southern promontory from the inner shore of the Island. Creeping nearer Boyle, El sie whispered: "For heaven's sake, say the lifeboat is visible again!" He held up a hand to enforce silence. A deep hush fell on the ship. "Listen!" he muttered, so low that Elsie alone caught the words. "Can you hear flrin'?" She thought she could distinguish an Irregular patter of dull reports, and the behavior of the Indians showed that additional excitement was toward. Many of them stood up and waved their arms, possibly as a signal to their - - allies on shore. The eunivs raced mad ly. Where speed win vital the ro *'i hewn native craft were (ir swifter than the solidly liullt llfelK>:it. wUli Its broad be:.m uud deep draft. And tliat was all. Though they strained their eyes and spoke with bated breath, never a sight of loat or eanoes was obtainable for hours after the latter were swallowed up by the tfees which shrouded the creek at the foot of Guanaco hill. Isobel Baring, moved by gtMiulne pity for her distraught frleud, tried to in duce her to leave the deck, but she shrank away terrified by the tire which blazed from the blue eyes resting ou her for an instant. Mrs. Somerville came, but she. too, was repulsed. When Chrlstobal made a serious effort to lead her away she threatened him with the fierceness of a mother defend ing her child from evil. But relief was vouchsafed In the worst throe.-; of her agony. Boyle or Gray had never relaxed a close vigil by her side. It Aas Gray who made the thrilling discovery that the canoes were returning. As the fleet crossed the bay it could be seen that they were towing the lifeboat, but never a slzn of any prisoners could the most careful scrutiny detect. The boat was empty. It was easy to count ev ery man in the canoes as they passed luto Otter creek, and there were wound ed Indians on board many of them. That was a significant, a tremendous, fact. There had been hard fighting, and the boat was captured, hut some, If not all, of the crew must have joined their comrades in the sanctuary of the haunted cave. The accuracy of this deduction was proved by the presence of the smoke column on the hill. In deed, the opinion was generally held that its spiral clouds were denser than nt nn.v previous hour, thus showing that the defenders were endeavoring to make known their continued existence. Elsie awoke from her trance, but in returning to life she was transformed into a stern, resourceful, commanding woman. None suspected the mighty force which worked this resolution In her nature. She conducted herself with a cunning that was wholly for eign to her character. Iler first can was to hoodwink her companions Into the belief that the strain of the day had passed. She accepted a cup of tea I 77?JS/T : \ \ ?I "Fur heaven's sake, miy the lljcbuat In visible ayaln!" brought by Isobel, expressed her sor row if by word or look she had given cause for offense and entered eagerly into the pros and cons of the debate which sprang up as to the best course to pursue on the following day. Every one agreed that nothing could be done that night. If the pillar of smoke were visible at sunrise and Wa'ke; could possibly manage to ?ire the boilers. Boyle suggested that some sailors in the jolly boat should sound a channel along which the vessel itself might steam slowly toward CJuanaco hill. That in itself would !>e a move of considerable value. If they could k-ssen the distance between the shore and the ship, each yard thus gained would help the prisoners and impose a stronger barrier against the Alaculofs, who would probably be daunted when they 1 found that the vessel's mobility was j restored. This proposal was deemed so excel lent that they all dined in vastly bet j ter spirits than any of them anticipat j ed. Christobal, puzzled out of his scl j entitle senses by Elsie's change of j manner, kept a close eye on her. lie | was amazed to see her eat a better j meal than she had eaten for days, and i she was normally a quite healthy young person, with a reasonably good appetite. Boyle and Gray took the first watch, from 8 o'clock to midnight. Christobal and Walker shared the next one. By 4 o'clock it would be daylight, so the doctor was retiring early to his cabin when he met Elsie, by chance, as it seemed. She was self possessed, even smiling, with a certain dour serenity. "The day's doings have tired me," she said. "I am off to bed. Will you rap on my door soon after dawn?" "Yes," he replied, secretly marveling at her air. "I plead guilty to a slight feeling of nervousness." she went on. "Is your revolver loaded? Would you mind lending it to me? I think I could sleep more soundly if I had a reliable weap on tucked under my pillow." A whiff of suspicion crossed Chrlsto bai's mind, but he brushed it aside as unworthy. At 5 o'clock that day he certainly would not have granted her request. But now, since the new hope I ?=?: 51 L_! 1 "llut, tcnorita "? bud sprung up that Courtenay was alive, it wus absurd to doubt her mo tives. So It came to pass that I>ie:;o Suarez, lying asleep in ills bunk, awoke with a start to find a shrouded figure l?'iid lng over htm. "Is that you, Senor Suarez?" asked a voice, which he recognized instantly as belonging to the Seuorlta Maxwell. "Ves," said lie drowsily. "Have you the witch doctor's clothes you wore when you came on board the ship?" "Ves, seuorlta." A hand, slight, but strong, grasped him by the shoulder. He felt the rim of a revolver barrel pressed against Ills forehead. ? "Get up then! Dress quickly in those clothes and come out ou deck. By the side of your bunk you will find tins of black and white paint to smear your face and hands. At the slightest re fusal on your part to do as I bid you? If you utter a cry or make a noise to attract attention 1 shall kill you with out another word." The soft voice had a steely ring in it which persuaded the man from Argen tina that he had better obey. In less than live minutes lie emerged from the doorway. The corridor In whlci his cabin was situated led Into the falau. Elsie awaited him. A lamp, dimly light ing the gangway, revealed her face. Suarez thought he had to deal with a mad woman. The dog standing by her side sniffed at him gingerly, but a muttered "Be quiet, Joey!" prevented any outburst, every fox terrier being a born conspirator. "What do you wish uio to <lo. seno rita?" liegau Suarez, thinking to pla cate her until he could obtain assist ance. "You must oiiey me in silence," she whispered tensely. "You must not even speak. One syllable aloud on deck will mean death. Walk in front of me up the main companion and so straight to the ship's side." "But. se'norita"? The hammer of the revolver began to rise untk>r the pressure of Elsie's finger on the trigger. The man's hair rose even more rapidly. His nerve was broken. He turned along the cor ridor in front of her, not knowing the Instant a bullet might crash into his head. The girl followed so closely that she almost touched his heels. The dog would have trotted In front, but she recalled him. When Suarez reached the port rail | of the promenade deck Elsie breathed: "Climb quickly and go down into the canoe by the rope ladder you will ,ind there." I lie canoe!" gasped he. "Quick! One, two"? Up went Suarez over the rail. lie found the topmost rungs of the lad der. As he descended the revolver fol lowed his eyes. When his head was level with the deck the order came: "Take the dog and go down!" "I cannol. senorita." "You must try. You are going down, Jead or alive." He did try. .Joey scuffled a little, but Suarez caught him by the neck and made shift to descend. Elsie was | already on the swaying ladder when . Boyle's voice rang out sharply from the spar deck: "Below tlier#! Who is the.e?" "I, Mr. Boyle!" she answered. "You, Miss Elsie? Where are youV" "Here?not so far away!" She was descending all the time. She had cast loose the rope which fas tened the eauoe alongside, and her dif ficulty was to hold the ladder and at the same time by clinging to the mast to prevent the canoe from slipping away with the tide. The revolver sha gripped l>etween her teeth by the butt Boyle, puzzled by the sound of her voice, ran from the side of the bridge down the stairs and across the deck. He was a second too late to grasp the top of the mast as it drifted out of reach. He heard Elsie utter a low voiced command in Spanish, nnd the dip of a'paddle told him that the ca noe was In motion. "For the Lord's sake, what are you doing?" he roared. "I am going to save Captain Courte nay," was the answer. "You cannot stop me now. Please hoist plenty of lights. If I succeed, look out for me before daybreak. If I fall, goodby!" (To Be Continued.) Out of a total of 18 expeditions to the South Pole nine have been Eng lish. NOTICE OF SALE. North Carolina, Johnston County. In the Superior Court, Before the Clerk. Ida Joyner and John Joyner, her husband, Atlanta Sutton and Walter Sutton, her husband, Thad Barnes, Bessie A. E. Barnes, Cad Barnes, Claude Barnes, Frank Barnes and Harry Barnes vs. Bunyan Barnes, William Warren, James Warren, Livia Barnes, Orle Barnes, Joe Davis, Sandy Davis, Con nie Davis, Children of London Hooks, deceased, the Children of Bright Lamb, and I'eter Barnes. Pursuant to an order of sale made in the above entitled special pro ceedings by the Clerk Superior court of Johnston county, which order was duly approved by Judge W. R. Al len, of the Sixth Judicial District of North Carolina, the undersigned com missioners will sell at public auc tion, upon the premises near the residence of Sidney Wellons, in Boon Hill township, Johnston county, on the 14th day of August, 1909, at 10 A. M., the one-seventh undivid ed interest, right and title of the plaintiffs in and to the two parcels of land described as follows: (A) Beginning at a stake. Sidney Wel lons' line, corner of Mrs. Catharine Oliver's dower, and runs with her line N. 2% E. passing her corner 98 poles to a stake in Sylvester Pearce's line, thence with his line on the 1th day of August, 1909, at corner of lot No. 2, thence with the line of said lot S. 2% W. 98 poles to a stake in Sidney Wellons' line, thence with his line 87% W. 16 1-3 poles to the beginning, containing 10 acres; (B) Beginning at a stake Sid ney Wellons' line, corner of lot No. 1, and runs with the line of said lot N. 2% 98 poles to a stake in Sylvester Pearce's line, thence with said line S. 87% W. 14 poles to a stake, his corner, thence with his line S. 2% W. 42 poles to a stake, thence with his line N. 87% E. 4 poles to a stake, corner of lot No. 3, thence with line of said lot S. 2% W. 56 poles to a red oak. thence N. 87% W. 18% poles to the begin ning containing ten acres. Time of sale: Saturday, August 14, 1909, 10 A. M. Place of sale: On the premises, near Princeton, N. C. Terms of sale: 10 per cent cash, on day of sale, balance with interest January 1, 1910. This July 15, 1909. L. H. ALLRED, E. S. ABELL. Commissioners. Southern Railway Schedule N B These figures are publish ed (or information and are not guar anteed. No. 21?Leaves Goldsboro, N. C., 6:45 a. in.: Selma, N. C., 7:40 a. m Through train with Chair Car to Asheville, connecting at East Dur ham, N. C., for Oxford, Henderson, Keysville, and Richmond, at Univer sity for Chapel Hill, at Greensboro, for Charlotte, and all points South, also for Danville, Lynchburg, Char lottesville, Washington, and all points North. No. 139?Leaves Goldsboro, N. C., 2:05 p. m.* Selma, N. C., 3:00 p. in., for Greensboro, N. C., handles through sleeper Raleigh, N. C-, to Atlanta, Ga., connecting at Greens boro, for all points North, South, and West. No. Ill?Leaves Goldsboro, N. C., 9:40 p.' m. Selma, N. C., 10:38 p. m.; handles sleeping Raleigh, N. C., to Greensboro, N. C. Connects at Greensboro, for Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Asheville, Knoxville, . also for Danville, Lynchburg, Char lottesville, Washington and all points North. R. H. DeBUTTS, Traveling Passenger \gent, Raleigh, N. C. W. H. TAYLOE. General Passenger Agent, Washing ton, D. C. ???????I, I Women I ^ Women who snllcr from K ? I female illments. frequently 8 Hi general break-down follows. W , j I Don't wall till your case Is if t 4 as bad as that?take Cardul I > *1 In time. It Is a sale, reliable I i | medicine, ?ur all women. | f SCAIDUI ? Mrs. Rena Hare, of Pierce, ? I Fla., tried Cardnl and alter- hj I ward wrote: "I was asul- ? I terer from all sorts ol te- K | male trouble, had pain In my fig "|U side, drawing pains In my w ? legs, could not sleep, had B I shortness of breath. "I suffered for years, nn- Fp I til my hnsband insisted on ? ? my trying Cardul. T'le first n ? bottle gave me relief aud H I now I am almost well." K Try Cardul. It will help you." See What vVe Offer You! We now sell Hardware, Mill Sup Mies, Paints, Coffins and other un lertakers goods. If you are going to build and need inything in the way of building mi trial, we think we can suit you. riooring, Ceiling, Weatherboarding, Moldings, Mantels, Window and door 'rames, Doors, Shingles, Laths and 3rlck. We sell Reliance and other jrepared roofing, screen doors and windows. Call to see us. John I.Barnes & Bro Clayton. N. C. Building Material We manufacture and sell Rough and Dressed Lumber, Shingles, Brackets, Porch Trimmings and turned work. ?Heavy Turning a Specialty. Come ana see our Material. Four Oaks Lumber Co. Tobacco Flues Do you want the best flues? If you do get them from 8. B. Johnson the old reliable flue maker. He has been making them 15 years. If you need flues bring or send your order and he will make you the best flues at lowest prices. If you need roofing I h3ve the best at very low prices S. B. Johnson, Smithfield, N. C. Elon ^ College Co-Educational :: Established 1890 Thorough college courses leading to M. A., A. B., and Ph. B. degrees. Strong and experienced faculty with highest University training. Good library, reading room, laboratories, literary societies, excellent music, art and elocution departments. Diploma from Elon admits to graduate depart ments in the highest universities. Beautiful and healthful location, 17 miles east of Greensboro on South ern Railway. Best moral and reli gious influence. No hazing. New students met by reception committees from young people's Christian or ganizations connected with the col lege. Good equipment. All build ings heated by steam, lighted by electricity, and furnished with water, bath rooms, etc. A large new dor mitory, with modern conveniences, ha3 recently been built to meet the requirements of growing patronage. Expenses unusually moderate. Fall term opens September 1st. E. L. MOFFITT, President, Elon College, - - North Carolina. * NOTICE. North Carolina, Johnston County. In the Superior Court, September Term, 1909. Ella Hinnant, Plaintiff, Against Gillis Hinnant, Defendant. The defendant, Gillis Hinnant, in this action entitled as herein, will take notice that an action has been commenced in the Superior Court of Johnston County, on the part of the plaintiff, Ella Hinnant, for abso lute divorce, by virtue of Section 1561 of the Revisal of 1905, and the defendant, will further take notice that he will be required to appear at the next term of the Superior Court of Johnston County, to be held the first Monday after the 1st Monday in September, 1909, it being the 13th day of September, 1909, at the Court House in said county, and answer or demur to the complaint in said action, or the plaintiff will ap ply to the Court for the relief de manded in the said complaint. This July 14th, 1909. W. S. STEVENS, C. S. C. JOHN A. NARRON, Atfy. for PlaiuMff. ? BARBER SHOP. t have opened a first class barber shop next door to the store of N. B. Snipes & Bro. Cleaning clothes, pressing and boot black work done in connection. A. D. PEARCE, Sel ma, N. C.
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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Aug. 6, 1909, edition 1
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