The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-09-11

/ we re going III the schooner too Mother
said fish, but SO far as | have heard she
didn' t say what kind Of fish, and so, Of
course, meant the best fish, such as
Spanish mackerel, kingfsh, yellow tails
or drums You know that we can't find
those shut off tho reef any more n we
can go out to where they are in a skiff.
Besides, sister, it's our very last chance
for "a sail in the old Poly. She's going
to be sold, or rather given away, tomor
| row, and | don't suppose We'll ever see
her again or own another boat. Z"
OF course this was convincing, fol
Matey not only dearly loved to sail, but
was firm in her belief that whatever
/ Girt said or did was right. Thus al
| hour later saw the little schooner, after
a glorious run across the broad Hawk
channel, anchored just inside the great
coral reef that borders the gulf stream
for more than 800 miles, and on which
! huge breakers We're dashing themselves
into showers of glistening spray. The
fishing was superb and so absorbing that
the sun was sinking into its bed Of
crimson and gold ere either Grit OF
Matey thought Of starting for home.
When at length they were ready tC
go and attempted to get up the anchor,
all their strength OH the windlass failed
to bulge it. A fuke had caught beneath
some great bunch of coral, and viii
boylike carelessness Grit had neglected
to provide trip line 1t was quite dark
before he abandoned the attempt to re-
cover their anchor and said cheerfully
Never mind, Matey, girl. 1t won't
hurt us to stay out here overnight, an6
as soon as it comes light again III
dive down there and see what is the
matter. I'm not going to cut the cable
and lose that brand new anchor unless
have to, that's sure "
So they cooked supper of fish and
made themselves so comfortable i'll the
snug little cabin that they rather re-
joiced in their adventure than other
wise So soundly did they sleep tina
night that not until he was flung from
his locker ON the cabin floor did Grit
awaken to the fact that the Poly was
pitching madly and that gale was
shrieking through her taut rigging.
Calling to Matey, the boy sprang on thu
deck, where he was well nigh beaten
down by the furious squall of wind and
rain that Just then hurled itself against
the schooner
There was an instant of quiverin.
strain. Then something gave way, and
Grit knew what had happened. The
tense cable had parted, and they were
helplessly drifting at the mercy OF the
storm For moment even Grit's stout
heart quailed He could see nothing
save the ghostlike forms Of leaping
breakers that seemed to crowd about
him from all sides. He could not even
tell from which direction the squall
was blowing. Matey had joined him in
the cockpit, with as full an understand
ing of the situation as his own. Nc
words passed between them, for none
could have been heard above the shrek
of wind and the roar Of waters. They
seemed to be driving with frightfu.
speed, and, as the brother and sister
stood hand i'll hand, waiting their fate,
they expected that each succeeding mo
ment would see their craft dashed in
pieces on the cruel reef
Minutes passed, and still they sweep
on. Suddenly Grit uttered great cry
of relief that was almost a sob.
We've passed the breakersl We're
clear of the reef We're out in the gulf
We're safe. Matey, girlr' he shouted
To any one not sailor it would have
seemed that they were anything but
safe, out in the open sea. driving
through inky darkness, and with the
worst squat Of the season bowling furi
ously about them, but Matey was
sailor She knew and down in her heart
arose fervent prayer Of thankfulness.
The next change of scene was mos
surprising Daylight had come; the sur
was rising. Before gentle breeze, with
all sails set, the Polyanthus was APP
preaching great steamship that had
struck on an outlying spur of the reef
during the binding bewilderment OF
the recent squall
81 do believe it's a wreck!'' Matey
had exclaimed rapturously, when her
sharp eyes first discovered the stranded
ship.
''Oh, if it only should bel" cried
Grit, who could hardly believe that SO
great a piece Of good fortune had be-
fallen them. Then, with anxious, beat
ing hearts the young sailors had shaken
out their reefs and laid course toward
the lights that marked the dimly loom
ing hulk.
"Great Scottl'' cried the captain Of
the stranded steamship as he caught
~
reef wreczer alongside already / be-
lieve these fellows live at sea and can
smell wreck hundred milesp
''Hello therer he shouted a few
minutes later as the schooner drew
near. Take line, but don't you dare
come aboard I'm not i'll humor to give
up my ship to you pirates yet. So stay
where you are, and I'll come to yon. !"
Don t you want your cargo lightened.
sir or anchor carried" inquired Grit
anxiously as the captain slid down a
rope and sood on the Poly's deck
mo I'm not in a hurry to break out
my hold, and want to try something
else before hedging, answered the cap
tain. "Who is captain Of this craft?'
II am, sir. "
"You?" cried the other, regarding
the lad incredulously. well then,
where is the crew?'
"There, sir, I" replied Grit, pointing
to Matey
"Well, am blessed" gasped the
captain "A boy and girl Even the
babies in arm turn wreckers on this
coast. However, he added "perhaps
you'll do as we'll as an older. Can You
diver
"Of course can, sir, " answered Grit
promptly.
Are you afraid of sharks?"
II should say not, (" was the con
temptuous answer.
"Well, my men are, and can't even
swim, much less dive, continued the
captain, but / want a diver TO 90 down
and tell me just how my ship lies.
have a plan that l am anxious to try, il
things are as l think If you il help ms
carry it out, I'll give you $500 for an
hours work, provided we get this ship
off within that time. Is it a bargain?"
''Put it in writing and have it wit
messed, cap'n," replied the Caution
Grit, land I'll sign the paper. 1t only
holds for one hour, though. Then, il
you're not afoat, We'll make new
bargain, and if she's to be lightenod
Pm to be wrecllmaster and take charge,
cause mine is the first schooner here,
Is that right?'
Eyes, that's right, smiled the cap
tain grimly. II reckon you've takeI
part in wrecks before?"
"a few" laughed Grit.
BY the time the paper was made out
and handed to Matey for safe keeping,