The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-12-30
ksroaY ron YoUxG rEOPLE

as ttuDDlu q Si"
The speaker was Andrew Morton,
one of a group Of four boys who bad
been fishing for the last hour from
the pier of Rylmouth, one Of the
northeastern seaports. The other
three were George Ross, Walter Gill
and Harry Maynard They resided
10 the town and we're school fellows
Ii was a holiday afternoon AM they
had agreed to spend it together hsn-
ing in the harbor.
But. somehow or other, they were
not very successful. That afternoon
the fishes were either unusually scarce
or unusually wary; and although the
Youthful fishers baited their hooks
with the most tempting bait, and put
forth all their skill nothing would
"bite."
"A capital idea" cried George
Ross. So saying he pulled in his
line and began TO coil II up, IN prepa'
ration for departure.
AVE. that it is!' chimed IN Wal
ter Gill. And we may get a lot oil
fish out at sea, as We did the other
afternoon
But Harry Maynard hesitated.
His father had strictly forbidden him
10 20 out 10 sea unless The boat was
In charge of some experienced ana
competent person; and even then, not
without his express permission. The
roct was that several fatal accidents
had occurred 10 parties belonging TO
The town In consequence Of their IN
ability to manage the boats in which
they had gone ont TO sea In most
cases those accidents had occurred
through the use OF sails, which, 1t Is
almost needless t1 say, requ ire very
skillfal management.
Harry ought to have said No at
once. and his conscience told him 50;
but be lacked the leedful decision and
courage. Indeed, that was Harry's
weak point. Too easily persuaded,
be bad often been led into mistakes
and faults which had grieyed his
father and mother very greatly. They
were not inclined to yield TO discour-
agement respecting him; still they
lelt that be would be 10 danger OF be-
ing led astray in after years, unless
he attained to a strength Of character
far beyond anything he bad hitherto
shown.
Instead Of saving NO at once,
.s be should have done, Harry said
be did not think there would be time,
for be had promised to be at home to
tea az six O'Clock.
ooh, said Morton, I'VE can be in
long before that"
But he had no money in bis pocket
and was, therefore, unable to pay his
share Of the boat hire. That was
nothing. they said; they had enough
and be could pay them when be lik-
ed; Besides, Carmichael, the owner
Of the boat, knew them very well
and would trust them
Then they laughed at him and said
that he was afraid; and that if be did
not 20 il would be because be was a
coward and burst not.
There was only one boat left Of
those which were let out for hire, and
lust then Ross pointed to a group OF
people who were evidently looking al
it from a distance with the intention
Of taking il.
Come along he exclaimed; I'll
we stay two minutes longer those
folks will get the boat; and nobody
knows when We shall get another
That decided the matter, and the
four boys rushed with all speed to
The boat and jumped into it. Harry
was IN at ease as he did so, but II
was too late. In five minutes more
they were rowing out of the harbOr
Into the open sea; whilst the party
they had observed turned back dis
appointed.
They were soon tired Of rowing,
and Just then there sprang up a light,
tresh breeze from the land.
what is the use of rowing :" said
Morton. "let US hoist the sail and
take it easily, aud enjoy ourselves
Had not we better let it alone ~
asked Harry, who remembered what
his father had said about the special
danger which arose from the S OF
sails by inexperienced people. 1--WE
are getting on very well, and be-
sides, we are as far out as we need
go for fishing"
Bother - cried Walter Gill; "as
il anybody could not manage a sail !
It's easy enough Besides, the fur
Their we get ont the better for fish
ing
Harry saw that remonstranee was
useless; aud so, though i'll at ease, he
said no more. The sail was hoisted,
and they scudded away before the
breeze at a glorious rate and were
soon a great deal farther from land
than they had any idea Of.
BY and by there came a change.
Looking towards the land they saw
q great black cloud, which was grad.
ually rising higher and higher.
They are in for a shower at Ryl
mouth" said Gill I'VE are out @.
that, anyhow"
Ave" said Morton; butts com
ing TO us as fast as il can, and lool
Wonder J"
So saying, be pointed in the con
,rary direction, seaward, and there
TO their dismay, they saw another
great cloud slowly ascending, as j
with the purpose Of meeting and en-.
%couring the other.
They all knew what these eppos.
ing clouds meant, and that before
very long tbey would be 10 the midst
Of a thunder storm. They were now
four miles from land.
1T win be all right" slid Morton,
trying TO put the best face be could
on the matter; "but the sooner we
get in the better. Wen hoist the
sail and tack. We shall soon be al
Rylmouth
Accordingly the head Of the boat
was turned to the harbor. and the
sail was boisted. And now the storm
burst in terrible fury. The lightning
flashed and the thunder ruled all
around, and sometimes Just above
them, so that they had no idea in
what direction they were going.
"Ah," thought Harry, this comes
Of disobeying my father. If only l