The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-10-12


wreck -
"Nonsensel There aren't any wrecks
nowadays, and If there were what
could boy like you do at one2 No, sir;
you stick to tomatoes. They're safe and
sure. and I'll put temptation out Of
your way by selling that boat first
chance / get You'll thank me for it in
the end, sec IL you DON'T
Now. the fatal day had nearly ar
rived. A man in Key West had sent
word that he was coming to look at the
Polyanthus and would probably buy
her IL she proved as represented. He
might appear at any moment, and that
was the reason why Grit Albury sat
gazing sadly at the dear boat on that
glorious March afternoon, instead Of
gathering the last Of tho tomato crop.
which was expected to realize 5000.
AS the boy slowly roso to return TO
his work there came sound of flying
feet, and Matey's voice was heard. call
ing in joyous tones:
Grit Oh, Grill Mother wants you
TO catch her mess Of fish and says
can go with you
The lad only answered: IAN right,
sister. Come along" but o sudden reso-
luton, that he did not put into words,
flashed into his mind. Two minutes
later single skillful throw of cast
net into the school Of sardines. always
swarming alongshore had provided a
sufficiency Of bait, and a light skiff was
dancing merrily over the blue waves.
"Why, Grill Where are you going?"
demanded Matey as the skiff was head
ed directly for the Polyanthus.
"Out to the reef after fish, " was the
answer.
"But Crit
Never mind tho butts now, little
girl. That's where we are going, and
we're going in 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
OF drums. You know that we can't find
those shut off the reef any more'n we
can go out to where they are in skiff.
Besides, sister. it's our very last chance
for sail in the old Poly She's going
to be sold. or rather given away. toinor-
row, and / don't suppose we'll ever see
her again or own another boat T"
OF course this was convincing, for
Matey not only dearly loved to sail, but
was firm in her belief that whatever
Girt said or did was right Thus an
hour later saw the little schooner, after
glorious run across the broad Hawk
channel, anchored just inside the great
coral reef that borders the gulf stream
for more than 900 miles, and ON which
huge breakers were 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 or
Matey thought of starting for home.
When at length they were ready to
go and attempted to get up the anchor,
all their strength ON the windlass failed
to bulge it. A fluke had caught beneath
some great bunch of coral, and with
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, and
as soon as it comes light again I'll
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 a supper Of fish and
made themselves SO comfortable in the
snug little cabin that they rather re-
! tAt,oI -, o1x~ tI,o,, oil
wise. So soundly did they sleep that
night that not until he was flung from
his locker on the cabin floor did Grit
awaken to tho fact that the Poly was
pitching madly and that gale was
shrielxing through her taut rigging.
Calling to Matey, the boy sprang ON tho
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 quiverinl
strain. Then something gave way, ant
Grit knew what had happened. TIL,
tense cable had parted, and they wer,
helplessly drifting ut the mercy of the
storm. For moment even Grit's stout
heart quailed. He could see nothing
save tho ghostlike forms Of leapinl
breakers that seemed TO crowd abou
him from all sides. He could not ever
tell from which direction the squal
was blowing Matey had joined him il
the cockpit. with as full an understand
ing of the situation as his own. NJ
words passed between them, for nom
could have been heard above the shriel
Of wind and the roar Of waters The.
seemed TO be driving with frightfu
speed, and. as the brother and siste
stood hand in hand, waiting their fate
they expected that each succeeding mo
, ment would see their craft dashed il
: pieces on tho cruel reef.
, Minutes passed. and still they swep
, ON. Suddenly Grit uttered great CT.
of relief that was almost n sob.
We've passed the breakersl Weir
clear of the reefl We're out in the gulf
We're safe. Matey. girlr' he shouted.
, To any one not a sailor itwould hav
seemed that they were anything bu
r safe, out in the open sea, drivin
through inky darkness, and with tn
; worst squall Of the season bowling fur