Half A Chance

nd lighted it, exhaling the smoke of the black weed and leaning more comfortably back in his low, swinging chair, the expression of his iron countenance exhibited, in the slightest degree, that

go, then rushed on with wild, shrieking dissonance. The

espite, especially as the chart showed neither reef nor rock anywhere in the neighborhood. But he had only one arm out of the garment when something happened that caused him to change hi

man, stood a few moments holding his hand to his brow. Then his fist c

g!" he cried, and ran fr

ce against some sunken reef. The full scope of the plight of the once noble ship was plainly made manifest. Though thick streams of scud sped across the sky, th

en!" he ca

aye,

do you g

an hou

last that long." And holding to a sta

sir?" asked t

corous and decent manner. And, Mr. O'Brien--lest I have nae time to speak of it later--should ye get ashore, and ever find yourself in the neighborhoo

sir!" A number o

lemented by a babel of new and terrifying sounds, the screaming and cursing of the convicts below, their blasphemous shrieking to be let out! To this turmoil and uproar were added the frantic appeals and i

se?" Sir Charles, one of the calmest o

k of water and provision. Get plenty of wraps and greatcoats. I

g to her husband's arm--rose shrilly. "You surely are not goin

captain half-apologetically--"She'll meet it with me, as she has met danger before, in the bush, like a true Engli

e interposed quickly. "I call upon you, Captain M

said Captain Macpherson sho

on of emotion. Sir Charles proved a monument of helpfulness; assisted in placing the women here and there, and extended a helpful hand to Lord Ronsdale, who had become somewhat dazed and inert. Total darkness added to the difficulties of their task, for the moon which until then had shone with much luster now we

already well-loaded boat, it was stayed. "Mr. Gillett, I'll be troubling ye for the keys to the convicts' deck. Mr. O'Brien, get in and take charge. Steer southeast with a bit of r

ng wave. Captain Macpherson waited until the chief officer ca

ye can be lookin

nst the tragic consummation. But only an irrevocable voice answered, that of the mocking sea beating harder, the cruel sea, spotted here and there with black patches between which splashes of light revealed the wild waves throwing high their cur

Old man said the

Well, he's paid for keeping us down so long.

, was shot toward the open companionway leading to the main cabin; as he plunged down, he clutched at and caught the railing. Considerably shaken, dripping with water, he pulled himself together, and, raising a face, sodden and fierce, like a beast brought to bay, he looked around him. The light of one or two swinging

n's a fool to go to hell thirsty!" He had started toward the sideboard with its bright gleaming ware and i

with the sailor's equally eloquent Golden-Gate, co

that ran along the side of the cabin, she approached, her eyes all alight as if well satisfied with something. Amazed beyond power of action, the man continued to gaze at her, at the tiny feet i

in' here?"

rail tighter, as perforce she paused to ans

out?" he

htn't have let me. It would have been very wicked if I'd gone away and forgotten--don't you think so? And now I'm going back! Only I am

to study the fairylike one; for the instant words seemed to fail him. "

answered indignantly. "And I'll thank you not to ca

ugh merriment. "'Dearie'! And she thanks me not to call it names! It! No bigger'n my thumb! Ho! Ho!" His laughter, strange at such a momen

ittle. "You don't mean--oh, I thought I would be

arm. "They've gone and the cre

er plight seemed to come over her; her lips trembled, b

ter dashed down the companionway and swept round them. The man ben

o drown!" passionately

librium. "See here: maybe there's a chance, if any of them's

an managed to maintain his stand; holding the child close to him, he sheltered her somewhat from the full force of the storm. As he cast his glance over the deck, an oath burst from his lips; the convicts had succeeded in launching one of the rafts and leaving the ship by means of it, or else had bee

enly he started; his eyes straining, he stared hard. "Maybe the

y a small craft could be discerned, not far distant, now

back to save us?"

unity for a desperate, heroic attempt to come alongside was not to be given her, for scarcely had they caught sight of her, when the stern of the Lord Nel

nd my neck," said

He opened the door of the wickerwork prison and a tiny thing

he whisper

d shook

ted hither and thither, he made a fierce fight for the rai