The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-06

IN series or rapid and powerful
strolScs. Another quarter of an hour
brought them to the spot where the OH
ject was floating. Trembling with
.eagerness, the man leaned over the
boats side with outstrctched hands.
AS he did SO, Matt turned her head
away with curious gesture of dread.
what is it, William Jones?" She
asked, not looking at him. ct isn't
You know-one o. thcm?"
NO, 1T amt" replied the man, lean
ing over the side of the coblc and tilt
ing the gunwale almost to the waters
cage. Too carly for them, Matt. If
they comes it won't be till SUNDAYS
tide. They're down at the bottom now
and amt yet rose. Easy! Lean t'othcr
way. So thcre-loolz out"
AS lac spoke he struggled with some
thing in the water, and at last, with
an effort which almost capsizcd the
boat, pulled it in. Matt looked now
and saw that it was IL small, fiat.
wooden trunk, covered with pieces OF
Shiny weed. Floating near it were
several pieces of splintered wood
which seemed to have formed part of a
boat. These, too. William secured
and threw down on the footboard he
meath him.
Its box, that's what it is cried
Matt.
Its box. surely" said Jones.
"And it's locked. too. And, look We
now. | misdoubt there's nowt inside,
or mayhap it would have sunk. How
somever, we'll see,''
After an unavailing effort to force it
open with his hands. he drew forth Il
large clasp-knife, worked away ut the
lock, and tried to force open the lid
which soon yielded to his efforts. as
the action of the salt water had al
ready begun to rot the wood On be-
ing thus opened. the box was found to
contain only couple of coarse linen
shirts, an old newspaper, two or three
biscuits and half bottle of some dark
fluid.
After examining these articles one
by one William Jones threw them back
into the box with gestures of disgust,
retaining only the bottle, which he un-
corked and applied to his lips
Rum he said. smaclling his lips
and nodding at Matt. Then, recork-
ing the bottle carefully. he returned it
to the box. and. standing mp, recon
noitered the sea on every side. But
nothing else rewarded his eager search;
he threw himself down in the stern
of the boat and ordered Matt to pull
back to shore.
AS they went he closed one eye
thoughtfully. and unused aloud:
Night before last it blew half gale
from the southland. This here box
came awash from the east coast of Ire
land. Maybe it was Il big ship as was
lost; them planks was Il part of "a ives
sells long-boat. Morc's coming if the
wind don't come up from the nor
rard. The moons full tonight and
tomorrow. I'll tell the old 'un. and
keep "A sharp lookout off the Caldron
pint"
Matt rowcd on steadily till they came
within quarter of a mile of the
shore, when William Jones stood up
again and rcconnoitered the prospect
inland.
Pull in. Matt!' he said, after min
ute, 'all's square,.
Soon afterwards the boat reached the
rocks. William Jones sprang out. and,
running up to the platform above. took
another survey. This being satisfacto-
ry. he ran down again and lifted the
box out of the boat, carrying it with
ease under one arm.
Make the boat fast" he said. in
husky whisper; land bring them bits
o wood along with You for the fire
III cut on to the cottage with this here
1t amt much, but it's summat: so III
carry it clean out o sight before them
precious coast guards come smelling
about
With these words he clambcred up
the rocks with his burden. leaving
Matt to follow leisurely in his wake.