The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-11-27

favor; but he seemed a gentleman, and
an elderly one too. Common politeness
dictated civility.
81 am afraid" said Alf, we have hard
ly room; she's only built for three
"Oh, that doesn't matter" he said;
"you can put me anywhere, or I'll take
an oar for one of You
was on the point of advising a point
black refusal, not appreciating his OF
hand manner; but Alf thought different
ly.
"All right" said he; eve don't mind,
if you don't. Steer her in, Jack.
1 steered her in. No sooner were we
near the shore than, quite unexpectedly,
he stepped almost On my toes, rocking
the boat from side to side
"Hang it !' said; stake care, or
you'll have US over"
"What if l do he returned. "ItIl
only be swim; and who minds a swim
in weather like this %
We stared at him; the GOODNESS, not to
say impertinence, of the remark, was
amazing. Begging seat in our boat,
knowing it was full, and then telling US
he didn't care if he spilled us into the
river He seated himself by me, setting
the boat seesawlng again, crushing me
into corner. and without asking with
your leave or by your leave, took the
steering lines from my hands, and slip
ped them over his shoulders.
Excuse me-" I said making snatch
at them; 'but if you'll allow me-"
"Not at.all, )" he said; ST always like
something to do, and expect you have
had enough OF it. :"
His GOODNESS was amusing; he was i'm
penetrable. I know I for one regretted
we were such mules as to have had any
thing to do with him. We waited in
silence q second or two.
"Come," he said, "when are you 60
ing to start ?"
Perhaps" said Alf, a bit nettled, cas-
you're in our boat self invited guest,
you'll let US choose our own time"
The stranger said nothing; he sat
stolid and silent. Tom and Alf set off
rowing; the stranger steered right across
the stream.
"Whero are you going9" said Alf.
"Keep US in
I'm going into the shade; the suns
too strong"
He had the lines; We could hardly in
sist on his keeping one side if he prefer
red the other. He took us right to the
opposite bank, under the shadow of the
of US spoke. With him orau.---,--o
on my seat, and ramming his elbows
into my side, my position was not pleas
ant. At last let him know it.
Il don't know if you are aware you
are occupying all my seat"
He turned on me short and sharp.
All at once I noticed his left eye gong
mp and down like blinking owl; his
mouth was wide open, disclosing as ugly
a set of teeth as T should care to see.
Like flash DR.. Rawle's words crossed
my mind: tall, strong, about forty-fve,
iron gray hair; habit of showing his
left eye. Gracious powers was it pos
sible we had lunatic with us unawares !?
I know the possibility, nay, the proba-
bility, of such thing made me feel
more than queer. If there is anything
in the world l instinctively fear, it is
mad persons. I know little of them
have never been in their company. Pos
sibly my ignorance explains my dread
but the idea of sitting in the same seat
with man who
DR.. Rawle's warning, "Don't let him
lose his temper. or murder will ensue, y
made me bound from my seat like Jack
! in-the-box. The boat tipped right out
of the water, but I didn't care. The
| man was glaring at me with cruel eyes;
! my muscles were strung, my fists clinch
ed; every moment I expected him at my
| throat.
'sWhat the dickens are you up to ?
said Alf. "What's the matter with you
"Excitable temperament. hot bloodet
YOUTH" said the stranger.
[ could have said something had
chosen, but 1 preferred discretion,
didn't like his eyes.
"No-o-nothing," I said. 81 thinl
I'll sit in the bow" I didn't wait t.
learn if anyone had any objection, bu
swinging round, / scrambled past Ali
and tripped full length on to Tom
knees. The boat went up and dow
like swing; it was a miracle he WASH
over.
sis the fellow mad ?" roared Alf.
At the word "mad" the stranger ros
up straight as post. mad p he said
''do you know sir" He checked hin
self and sat down. pooh he's only
boy"
Iu passing Tom I whispered in b
ear. 1.-The lunahc," l said.
"What!" said Tom, right ont loud.
"Hold your row, you confounde
donkey! It's the man from DR.. Rowle's s
"The-"
He was going to say something naugl
ty-I know he was; but he stoppe
short, and stared ct him with all b
, eyes. Either Alf overheard me, or eli
the same idea occurred to him at ii
same moment, for he stopped dead
the middle of a stroke, and inspecte
the man on the steering seat. To
and Alf went on staring at him for
minute or more. kept my head turn,
e the other way to avoid his eyes. All
d once 1 felt the boat give a throb.
,f | .&~