San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-14
A Maiden FAIR.
BY CHARLES GIBBON.


A grey day that won d have been dull any
where but by the sea. 4 strong breeze
blowing and the grey and blue waters leap
ing into white combs and points. A lands
man would have Gale it gale, but to fish
erfolk it was only "a wee thing fresh" The
grey old houses, with their red and brown
roofs, looking out on the harbOr, would also
have appeared dull and dirty but for their
pcturesquely irregular gables and heights.
Then the busy figures of the fshwiyes in
their bright-cOlOred petticoats and short
gowns" dong Jackets the lOunging groups
of the fishermen, and, above all, the hustle
in the harbOr and on its walls which pro-
jected out into the Forth, gave life to the
scene in harmony with the strong breeze
and the leaping waters.
Out on the farthest point of the grey walls
agroup of men and women, with the spray
flashing over them and the keen wind biting
their cheeks, stood watching a smack which
was lacking to make the port.
"Will she win in, think yOu~ asks one.
Safe enOugh-BOb Ross is steering" con-
fidently answers a little weather-wizened-
faced old man, by name Dick Baxter.
Bob Ross had seen a smack capSize and
with five trusty comrades had put off to the
rescue.
ut was a daftlike thing for Bob to think
he could be out in time to help them"
ut was worth trying" said Baxter drily.
Suddenly the PROV of the boat is turned
towards the opening in the walls and comes
straight and swiftly along, crosses the bar,
down goes the sail, and boat and men are
safe in haven.
There was no cheer although brave work
had been done; but an eager inspection of
the boat to see who was in it.
"They hae gotten them a but Jock Tam
son." said Baxter in a matter-of-fact tone,
the circumstance being of too ordinary
nature to call for much feeling; 'puir sowl,
he's gaen."
my man, my man." cried woman, rush.
ing down the steps to the boat, "whar's he?'
There was no answer and the woman I'M
derstoOd. She bowed her head, covered her
face with her hands and was silent Then
a couple of burly women, with broad Shout
ders and muscular hands, took each an arm
of the mourner.
Come ava hame, Jeanie," said one quiet
ly, and the voice was tender although the
notes were harsh-''ye'll he better there"
And they led the widow home.
Bob Ross was the first out of the boat,
helping one of the three men who had been
saved to land. The others followed, and
were first assisted to much-needed dram
and then to their houses. The crew pro-
ceeded to the inn, accompanied by num-
Der of friends eager to obtain more details
of the rescue than had been given in the
hurried answers to the crowd in the haven.
Ross did not accompany them. He gave
his stalwart frame shake, like huge
Newfoundland dog after coming out Of the
water, and that cOntented him. He was a
man of about thirty, handsome fellow,
tall and sinewy, dressed in pilot jacket,
and boots over his trousers.
His face was tanned by exposure to the
weather, the features good, and the clear
grey eyes which looked straight at any man
bespoke an honest, open, and fearless ma
ture. He had begun life in his fathers fish
ing smack; but whilst always ready to do
his duty i'm the boat, he had continued to
attend school more than the other lads of
the village, and to make more of what he
learned there. The dominic took an inter-
est in him and helped him TO learn naviga-
ton as far as it was in that worthy mans
power to do it. But his real knowledge WIS
gained by practical experience in his faith
er'S smack. So, by the time he was twenty
two he was said TO know the road from
Newhaven to John o. GrOat's-ay, or from
Newhaven to Yarmouth-better than any
pilot in Leith. He obtained his license and
became recognized pilot. He soon earned
high reputation as a truSty, steady, and
skilfu man. But he still retained his in
terest in the smack, and when occasion per-
mtted went out to the fishing with as much
glee as of old.
After he had seen the rescued men safe
in their homes, he turned on the way TO his
own. Dick Baxter met him. He was a
fayOrite Of Dicks, and that was an honor;
for Dick was person of Importance in the
village. An accident thirty years ago had
disabled him from following his craft as q
fisherman; but he eked out living by do
ing odd jobs at the harbOr and by the tips
he obtained from sightseers for information
about the place and people. This he gave
with the air of a proprietor showing his place
to his guests. Amongst fsherfolk he OBJ
tanned the reputation of being wise man.
He was pawky one, giving advice In
slow, learned way that impressed the simple
although clever people. lie pronounced as
authOritatively on the position Of current
politics rs on religious affairs and the
weather. In short he was an authority In
the land Notwithstanding the chaff which
he had sometimes TO endure from the young
or men.