The Penn's Grove record., 1882-03-11

town, but I WI be back In ten min
utes. Don't be up TO any mischief
now, but whatever happens stay here
Sam, the boatman, will look after hi
boat and you, too, so wait quietly ill
/ return"
Away went Capt. Graham on hi;
errand, and Kate and Edith took
their places, asked many questions Of
old Sam Salter, whom they had known
for several years, and whose opinion
on wind, weather, and fishing pros.
pt cts, they bel in much respect.
A quarter of an hour vent by, and
Mr.. Graham did not return then
Sam said to them:
81 hope the cap'n won't be long ;
for the tides eamin' in, and we might
as well be off. We shall have u change
before night and 1t won't be all SUN
mer sailin' by this afternoon. But If
you young ladies are not afraid of
being left, I'll just run up for an old
~tarpaul.n o. mine, which is KEEP up at
my ole woman's cottage, and I'll be
down again before the cap'n's aboard"
"Afraid, Sam !" cried Kate, a little
injured. "Why, your cottage is close
by; and -and-we're never afraid of
anything"
So Sam went for the tarpaulln, and
the two girls talked and planned and
arranged their hooks and lines, and
forgot everything but the happiness
of the moment, the blue ky, the dis
tant groups of children playing Oh
the shore, the pleasant air, and the
delightful prospect of two hours fish
ing.
Presently they were aroused from
their careless talk by feeling the boat
move. They were very much startled
when again it lurched slightly, and
then todched the sand with a grating
sound.
'Oh, Ka.e?" cried Edith, seizipg
her sisters hand. "Wha, Is it ?"
Again the boat moved more de-
cidedly, and the water rushed round
1t with a gurgling sound.
81 do believe,n cried Kate, throw.
ing aside her line, the tide is close TO
us! Father said it was coming In.
Oh, why did he leave us? What can
he be doing"
And she started up with her wonted
energy and impulse. The boat gave a
roll as she moved, and she again fell
forward, nearly upsetting her sister a
she did so. Edith gave a scream and
chung to her.
Kate! Kate!" she cried, I'VE shall
be taken out TO sea, and no II can
save usl And Sam said the weather
would change. There will be a
storm !" she almost shrieked, land
we shall be drowned. o father!
father"
The cries and sobs of poor Edith
aroused Hates $ ronger spirit. The
boat was by this time completely
hoated, and she was wrought to a pitch
OF nervous excitelnenl in It's way as
overpowering as Edith's.
"Whatever We do, 1t must be quickly
DONE" she thought and they were
yet more terrified IS the incoming
tide rolled a larger wave under the
boat, lifting 1t higher in the water so
high, that this time 1t did not touch
the sand again.
Edith" she said mo one can
hear us here. l see nothing of Sam
and father does not come. We had
better get out while we can, and run
to shore. Come, Edith, c. me !" che
exclaimed, catching Edith, by the
wrist In her excitement; 1--WE can do
it now !! In another minute 1t will be
too late, the boat will be out at sea-"
mo Kate, | cannot" cried her
sister. sobbing bitterly. II cannot do
1t Let go my hand, | shall fall back
wards If you drag the So"
"Come this Instant |" Dried Kate,
climbing over the boats side as she
did so. "Edi b, come I"
Father told us not to stir, whatever
happened" cried her sister. II must
do as he said, Kate. Won't you stay,
too 2"
But Kate, who was hanging to the
side Of the boat, had now no choice
but to let herself drop as the swaying
OF the water lifting 1t up. Her feet
were In the water all / she felt the
beach. Just then rs she turned to run
ashore, she saw her father reckoning
her to stay where she was, running at
full speed down the pathway on the
the cliff, She called TO him with all
her strength, and found too late how
foolish she had been to leave the boat.
"The tide was coming in rapidly,
and a long, swirling wave lifted her
of ner fee and she lost her balance
and fell TO the ground.
In hen fall Hates feet had become
en- angled IN q long wreath OF seaweed,
and she was thrown against q sharp
stone, which graYed her forehead.
The poor girl tainted and knew n ,th-
ing more until she found herself In
bed, IN tie little room witch she and
Edith shared together.
Edit ?" Was the rirst word she
uttered.
Edith sprang forward with an TX
clamation of Joy at hearing her sisters
voice. Capt. Graham then drew near
aud stopped to kiss her.
"Well, X to-" he said, what a
fright you gave pc Sam and me-
What we're you thinking about ?"
"Fa her-the seattle boat" she
said in a fearful voice.
1.-THE boat, silly little grill" said
her father, smiling, why did you
not know that it was fastened to a
stake? Did you think that |, or Sam.