s he rattled off his orders for putting cable coils aboard, placing all
fenders in position, battening down the hatches, and doing all else that
might render the tug fitter for the perilous service that he intended
to exact of her, his voice took on the old ring of battle, and his
commands came quick, sharp, and penetrating from his set lips, like
those of an officer placing guns in position for a desperate fight.

The captain, who was also sole pilot of the tug, so far obeyed the order
sent to him as to come to the tug landing. But when he looked out upon
the storm-lashed river, he positively refused to obey Duncan's order to
go to the wheel.

"I'll never take the tug out in such a storm as this," he said doggedly.

"But think, man! There are twenty men or more up there on those coal
barges, whose lives simply _must_ be saved. And there is a hundred
thousand dollars' worth of coal there that may go to the bottom any
minute."

"I can't help that. I tell you the tug couldn't live a minute in such a
storm."

"In other words," answered Duncan with measureless contempt in his tone,
"you are a miserable coward, a white-livered wretch, whose life wouldn't
be worth saving if it were in danger. Go back to your bed! Go to sleep!
or _go to hell_, damn you, for the cowardly whelp that you are!"

Then turning to the engineer and the two deck hands, he asked hoarsely:

"Will you men stand to your duty while I go to the wheel?"

"We're with you while she floats, cap'n," said the engineer. "I always
did hate a coward."

"Have you got steam enough?"

"Yes, a hundred and fifty pounds pressure to the square inch, and she'll
need it all."

"All right. Cast her off," commanded Duncan as he stepped to his post in
the pilot house.

He knew, of course, that he was taking terrible risks. Having no pilot's
license he had no legal right to be at the wheel. Should disaster
overtake the tug he would be personally liable for the insurance
forfeited by his act in taking her out in contravention of the judgment
of her captain and pilot. Worse still, should any life be lost in the
adventure, Guilford Duncan would be held to answer for manslaughter.

Well-educated lawyer that he was, he knew all these facts. He perfectly
understood the fearful responsibilities he was taking upon himself. Yet
he faltered not nor failed. There was no moment's hesitation in his
mind. There were lives in peril up there in the bend, and a vast
property expos