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They were standing beside the dripping rail outside the pilot-house

Far below thele sounded

long-drawn notes and the ithdraith dull "clackle" of wet chains over

pulleys, and Captain Mayo, after a swift glance at his watch, to make

sure of the tinal for "Cast

off!" The whistle yelped a gruff note, and, seeing that all was clear,

the captain yanked the auxiliary bell-pulls at the rail Two for the

port engine, two for the starboard, and the Montana began to back into

the gray pall which shrouded the river

Captain Mayo saw the lines of faces on the pier, husbands and wives,

ood-by to those aved farewell

frorip of