The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-07-01
he lighthouse was erected; there he

the lighthouse was erected; there he
parleyed:
"Ye see, sir, that is quite out of regu.
lar orders; darrn't let you in, not now
keep her off, Bob Murray, yew; veil
have her stove in three threes'-so ye
see, sir"
Dobson," l replied, firmly, "it's no
use. Regulations or no REGULATE ons, I
want to spend the night in the light
house. Here lam. You can, of course,
keep me here if you like, but I am not
going back now"
Dobson paused irresolutely, and MUIR
ray said:
It's all right, Jack; TIL come for
him tomorrow and take him off,
"Ah!' responded Dobson. "To-
Murray, ladP"
impelled the boat toward the slippery
rock. The tide was out; a we'll Judged
spring as the boat rose to the wave, and
L landed safely on the granite. When
turned round again Murray was already
six feet from my perch.
Goodnight, Bob. Come back to.
morrow. Tell them I'm coming soon {
they ask for me. I'm all right"
Aye. aye, sir. Goodnight" MUIR
ray ran for Tome with the sheet hauled
well ait, and lying as close to the wind
as the tiattened sail would draw.
turned and found Dobson at my
elbow. He had heard my parting
words, and commented upon them as
follows, in a tone that chilled me
through:
eft he gets ashore much inside of a
week m Dutchman, and saving your
presence, Master Emery, you's another.
Come. in now-the floods making-if
you please"
We entered the lighthouse together,
and as we assembled the winding stall
way, Dobson said:
Did you bring aught with ye, sirP"
Amy spiritsp I declare, Dobson, !
quite forgot. But I'll make it all right"
Dobson's reply had disdainful ring
in it as he replied: 81 amt thinking of
spirits. Have you brought any cloth
ing or anythingP"
Just enough for might" replied
l." a toothbrush. Whyp" l produced my
late purchase as l spoke.
" Because look ye here" he said, sud-
denly changing his tone. He led me to
the windward side of the gallery, which
we just then reached. "D'ye see yonder
line upon the seaP"
"Yes--what of itP It's breeze COM
ing up-all the better"
All the worser! Last time see that
with this moon and after these warn
ings was when the Ca'tilIy Castle went
down on yonder reef and on y fifty was
saved out O. nigh three hundred on
board"
confess felt dull sensation of
dread. That some calamity was pend
ing | felt sure. / shivered, not with
cold, though, and looked steadily at
Dobson. Then affecting cheerful man
ner, repiied:
yet, and there's plenty OF time for any
slip to get an of1ing if the skipper can
read the sky as well as you. At any
rate I'm quite safe here"
Aye, aye, for that matter, safe
enough. But you see, Mister Emery
well it's all right-come inside"
We went in again and descended the
spiral stairway IN the solid basement to
the storeroom and thence to the kite chen.
Everything appeared clean and tidy. A
slovepipe passed through the ceilirg,
doing duty for chimney, as a small
stove did for the kitchen range, and |
knew that we would not starve. But
Dobson's remark respecting the ap-
preaching tempest had affected me in
spite of my determination to see the
adventure through. l was anxious to
have something TO wean me from the
somber retrospection had been lately
indulging, and so shook off the feeling
of strangeness and tried to feel as if
everything was just as | had In my
imIg nation pictured it-which every
thing was not.
We assembled through the bedroom.
There were three beds between the win
dows, cuckoo clock, an almanac. the
stovepipe tending upward. some cloth
ing and two telescopes and some other
nautical necessaries were visible at a
glance. The bedroom was plainly and
rather scantily furnished. Some books
were on the single table, and in a cup
board were some blue lights. A pair of
pistols, three cutlasses and bayonets
were also noticed by me, and | won
dered why the firearms were kept
there.
AS l gazed around the room the
ckoo burst open little wooden door
with tremendous energy and ''cuckoo'd"
ten times, retreating again, only Just in
time to escape blow from the door.
A sailor was descending from the
upper floor He was rather astonished
to see me. l think, but in moment he
touched his cap. and professed himself
glad to see "a friend OF his mate s, who
was friend Of his aad welcome so he
said.
mister 'Enery's going to take berth
here tonight, Judkins," said Dobson.
You and me will arrange abouta shake
down. It's my watch at midnight, so
he can turn in as soon as he likes"
4" / should prefer being up with you,
Dobson,' | SAID. Il want to see the
sea and how things look in the dead uf
night. 1t must be very weird and very
grand here in storm"
AYE, ave, sir. You'll have storm
enough. Better sleep while you can,
and let the sea take care of itself"
But came here to sit up, and un-
less you object,
Me, Mister Emery! Not bit of it.
Come alott it, ye like; I'll keep you COM
panV."
We went up to the gallery again, and
| stood leaning over, gazing steadily,
half dreamily, at the rising water. The
sea was evidently rising, and yet the
long, heavy, booming swell rolled in
without breaking till close upon the
rocks. Then the roar arose, the spray
dashed uo in vain attempts to reach the
cleaning beacon, and tell back ex-
hausted on the whitened sea.
AS / continued to look across the
moonlit waves strong sensation of un-
reality of it all came upon ME. l could
fancy it was all unreal. / knew and
felt that | was in the lighthouse, and all
was right, that l was in good health
n - Il Il