Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-17


alone, bordering gloomily over the
state of affairs as he smoked his
short pipe. He was aroused ut length
from his apathy by the sound OF the
companion noislly closed, while loud,
frightened cries and hurrying foot
steps on deck announced that some
thing extraordinary had happened.
AS he arose to his feet he was con-
fronted by Kate Rumbolt, who pant
ing and excited, waved big key be-
fore him.
1--WE done it," she cried, her eyes
sparkling.
Done what?" shouted tho mysti-
fled skipper.
LET the bear loose" said the girl.
"Ha ha you should have seen them
run. You should have seen the fat
sailorr'
Let the-phew l-let the-good
heaven? Here's o pretty kettle OF
fish !" he choked.
Listen to 'em shouting" cried
the exultant Kate, clapping her
hands. Just listen I"
"Those shouts are from aloft,"
said Hezekiah, sternly, ''where you
and | ought to be-"
1--WE closed the companion, said
the girl, reassuringly.
CLOSED the companion" repeated
Hezekiah. as he drew his knife. HE
can smash it like cardboard il the fit
takes him. Go in here"
He opened the door of his state
room.
"Shan't," said Miss Humboldt, po-
litely.
go in at once" cried the skipper,
quick with you"
"Sha" - began Miss Rumbolt
again, then she caught his eye and
went in like lamb, ''You come
too" she said, prettily.
i've got to look after my ship and
my men," said the skipper. II sup
pose you thought the ship would
steer itself, didn't your"
"Mutineers deserve to be eaten,"
whispered Miss Rumbolt, somewhat
taken aback by the shippers de-
meanor.
Hezekiah looked at her. They're
not mutineers, Kate" he said quiet
ly. ut was just piece Of mad folly
of mine. They're as honest a set Of
old sea dogs as ever breathed, and l
only hope they are all safe up aloft.
I'm going to lock you in; but don't
be frightened, l shan't hurt YOU"
He slammed the door on her pro-
tests and locked it, and, slipping the
key of the cage in his pocket, took
firm grip of his knife, and, running
up the steps, gained the deck. Then
his breath came more freely, for the
mate, who was standing little way
up the fore rigging, after tempting
the bear with his foot, had succeeded
in dropping a moose over it's head.
The brute made furious attempt to
extricate itself, but the men hurried
down with other lines and in short
space of time the bear presented
much the same appearance as the
lion in Asop's fables and was dragged
and pushed, a heated and indignant
mass of fur. back to it's cage.
Having locked up one prisoner the
skipper went below and released the
other, who passed quickly from
somewhat historical condition to one
Of such naughty disdain that the
captain was thoroughly cowed and
stood humbly aside to let her pass.
The fat seaman was standing in
front of the cage as she reached it,
and regarding the bear with much
satisfaction, until Kate sidled up to
him and begged him as personal
favor to go in the cage and undo it.
Undo it? Why, he'd kill me,
gasped the fat seaman, aghast ut
such simplicity.
II don't think he would" said his
tormentor, with bewildering smile;
and I'll wear lock Of your hair all
my life if you do. But you'd better
give it to me before you 60 in"
II amt going in" said the fat
sailor, shortly,
mot for me?" queried Kate
archly.
Not for fifty like you," replied
the old man firmly. ''He nearly had
me when he was loose. ! can't think
how he got out"
"Why, / let him out" said Miss
Rumbolt, airily. Just for little
run. How would you like to be shut
up all day."
The sailor was just going to tell
her with more fluency than politeness
when he was interrupted.
"That'll do" said the skipper, who
had come behind them. go for
ward, you. There's been enough OF
this fooling; the lady thought you
had taken the ship. Thompson, I'll
take the helm; there's little wind
Stand by there"
He walked aft and relieved the
steersman, awkwardly conscious that
the men were becoming more and
more interested in the situation, and
also that Kate could hear some Of
their remarks. AS he pondered over
the subject and tried to think of a
way out of it the cause of all the
trouble came and stood by him.
ibid my father know of this?"
she inquired.
II don't know that he did exact
ly," said the skipper, uneasily. II
just told him not to expect you back
that night"
"And what did he say?" said she.
"Said he wouldn't sit up" said the
skipper, grinning despite himself.
Kate drew breath the length of
which BODIED no good to her parent.
az was afraid of that travelling