Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-08-05
headlahd, and, sheltering her eyes with
one hand looked steadily out to sea.

The fishermen were near the cove,
watching her, and whispering together.
One of them went to the village and
brought down two or three women.
Manly Hepburn who was a friend of
Jane Van Dort's went up to Conny.
"Come home with me, DEAR" she
SAID. Don't look out yonder," putting
her hand over the girls eyes. 'It's
growing clearer, and the seas ugly to
look at after storm, weeds and wrecks
and dead things are washed ashore,
and"
Conny quietly put down her hand.
Mothers aboard"
Nanty looked at the men, perple1ed.
She wiped her eyes once or twice, and
then put her hands on Conny's
shoulders.
There was a wind-sqaull like this
once afore, COMFY"
Il know"
"And-and OF all the ships within two
miles of the bar, not one lived through
it. Not the big ships, dear are you
iistening?"
Conny after a minute drew away.
81 wish you would go to Dan, Manly
He's crying yonder. II can't speak to
him now."
She put her hand over her eyes again,
looking though the slowly lifted weight
of mist. Her lips moved.
Dan pulled her by the skirt, after
awhile. ''Come away, COMFY" he
sobbed. "They say the Gull" has
gone down, and they're afeared for you
to stay here"
81 couldn't go down. God wouldn't
let it. I've been prayin'" But her face
was like death as she said it.
The mist has lifted now. Under the
pale twilight lay the vast angry seattle
waves rising out of fathomless darkness.
Conney canght Dan fiercely by the arm,
and pointed outward. Her lips were
too perched to speak.
"The Gull I The Gull = shouted the
men. Only sea-bred eyes could see the
far off boat which was dashed to and fro
like bubble. "Ther's no chance ther
fur a good boat" said Cap'n job; but
for that old water iog-Take them
children away, Nanty. Don't let 'em
see their own nanny go down.
The wind beat the masts of the Gull"
level with the water, once again.
Conny clinched Dams hand in hers.
"Pray, Dan Pray aud God can't let
them drownw
A great wave lifted the .'Gull" taunt-
ingly into slight, and then-it was
gone! Only black hull was washed
above the yellow foam for an instant,
and sank never to rise again.
Manly ran to the child as she fell on
the sand, and carried her to her own
house, but at the door Conny opened
her eyes and struggled to her feet.
81 must go home. Mother told me
to take care of Dan and the baby till
she came back"
Nanty sobbed out loud then. She
had been very fond of Jane.
''Child, didn't you see the Gull go
down p she said.
Yes" said Conny "but vas pray
ing. Mother'u come back"
She ran along through the darkness
to the cottage. Dan was crouched, cry
ing, by the fire. She kne' down beside
him.
God would't take them when We was
prayin'," WAS all she could say.
And there came then a great shout
ing and cries without, and the door
burst open and her mother was on the
floor and had them both in her arms,
sobbing and laughing all at once and
Ben was talking to the neighbors, with
a queer quiver In his voice.
Gull went down? Yes, of cOurse
she must hev. She sprung leak an
hour afore the squall struck her and l
knew it was no use to try to bring her
in, and Jane and got aboard the
steamer putting into the inlet, and come
over afoot. I'm glad 1 didn't see the
old boat agoin' down."
sit was good luck as drove you nigh
the steamer, Dan, said Cop'n Job.
Luck or-God," said Ben, taking off
his old hat. "Hillo give us a kiss,
you young uns." STOPPING to hide his
vet eyes.