The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-14
A COAL OF FIRE.

liz . " mum all IOulu, OUTSIDE
school work, I'm sure. Can't play
cricket little bit anyway" said Doug
las Metcalfc.
"Rummy clothes he wears, eh2 Hat
looks us if it had como out of an old
clothes shop" SAID Frank Newlyn.
He's sullen sort of beggar too. l
suppose he's proud of his poverty; some
fellows are like that, you know"
George Marchant remarked.
All the three speakers were in the
sixth form ut Denmark House, and the
boy they referred to was Herbert Grier-
son, who had just como to tho school at
tho beginning of this term,
1t was Saturday afternoon of q warm
day in early summer, and tho three
boys were strolling down toward the
bay, OH tho heights overlooking which
the Denmark House Stood When they
reached the beach, they found some half
dozen other boys undressing prepare
tory to bathing. \ large, broad beam
ed boat lay out i'll the bay. One or two
other boys were now in it; among the
rest Herbert Gricrson.
"We'll swim out to those fellows and
have Il dive from tho boat" Douglass
Metcalfe said. In two minutes the
two were swimming toward the boat,
followed closely by Tippoo, Douglas
terrier. They scrambled into tho boat.
Tho others were now in the water, with
the exception of Grierson, who stood ut
the bow ready to dive. His clothes lay
beside him, with his hat on the top. A
sudden spirit of mischief seized Doug
las.
Let's see if he is as good at swim
ming as he is at Virgil" he whispered
to his companions.
Own up now, Douglas. You're
bit jealous of Grerson. You're afraid
he's going to run you hard for dux, old
chap, " Newlyn said.
'Oh, as to that, don't caro- much
ono way or the other" replied Met
caltc, with II show of carelessness. But
l fancy I'm his match at swimming
anyhow. But we'll SEQ in a minute or
two
AS he spoke Douglas pretended to
stumble against Gricrson's clothes, and
recovering himself struck the hat with
his hand. and sent it spinning into the
water
"Hullo, that was jolly clumsy of
me-" he exclaimed.
In moment Grierson was in the
water after his hat, which tho breeze
had caught and carried to consider
ablo distance out in the bay. Tippoo
was before him, however, and swim
ming toward the hat.
Now then. He's got pretty good
start Well see who reaches the hat
first. But must send that littlo ras-
cal Tippoo back" said Metcalfe, who
was one of the best swimmers in tho
school. He leapcd into the water and
struck out with all his strength in the
wake of Grierson.
All were now watching the chase Of
the hat with interest and laughter and
cries of Go it, Douglas, Strike out,
Grierson, The hats going to vim
1t was quite clear that Herbert Grler-
son was strong and expert swimmer.
For little Douglas Metcalfe did not
gain yard upon him, but presently
tho onlookers could sec that the space
between the two boys had narrowed.
Mctcalfe was, in fact, doing his very
best, and it was with keen sensation of
satisfaction and triumph that no at last
overlook and passed his rival.
The hat was now floating a few yards
in front of Metcalfo. The chase of it
had proved harder one than had been
expected. Metcalfe and Grierson were
now far out in the bay, and of course
much beyond their depth. AT this point
a strong current swept past the bay.
The River CLEAN emptied itself into
the sea at the north horn of tho bay,
and this caused current which set i'll
a transverse direction across the bay,
oceanward.
Both boys were by this time in the
center of this sea stream. Metcalfc's
hand closed upon the hat. 1t was his
intention to swim back with it toward
the boat and replace it upon the little
pile of clothes, and thus put a trium-
plant finish to his swimming feat.
Metcalfe was now facing toward the
shore again. Gricrson had turned too.
The latter was quite aware that Met
Gallo had acted as he had done not
to recover the lost hat and restore it to
its owner, but in order to prove his su-