Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/106

 their clutch at the jagged iron of the shell hole. He was very calm and quiet and strong; and he was controlling her as though she were a child.

"They're four thousand yards off," he said to her. "That one there and another on the other side. It's just begun to fire."

Some of the shells which had been striking, Ruth realized now, had burst on the other side of the Ribot.

"Yes," she said.

"We've signaled we're attacked," he told her. He had both her hands free; and he bound her arms to her body with his arms. "We've an answer, and destroyers are coming. But they can't get up before an hour or two; so we've a long fight on. You must come below."

He was half carrying her, ignominiously; and it came to Ruth that, before seeking her, he had gone to Agnes Ertyle; but she had not delayed him because she was used to being under fire, used to seeing those slain by fellowmen; used to knowing what she could and could not do.

"I'll go where—I should," Ruth promised, looking up at him; and he released her.

He pointed her toward a companionway where steps had led downward a few minutes before; but now they were broken and smoke at that moment was beginning to pour up. He turned and led her off to the right; but a shell struck before them there and hurled them back with the shock of its detonation. It skewed around a sheet of steel which had been a partition wall between two cabins; it blew down doors and strewed débris of all sorts down upon them. Another shell, striking aft, choked and closed escape in the other direction. Gerry Hull threw himself