Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-28
fenello.

keStel Two and a half rater), and the
yacht Kestrel bObbed up and down
on the waters of the harbor in a
which, experienced from the
well, vas the reverse of reaSsuring to
a lady whose years, like her waist,
were just upon the p~oetical side of
40. TIE young man she addressed
was at the ttller, about seven feet
from his aunt, but so intern upon keep
ing the KeStrel'S course that he paid
no attention TO the lady's anxious
words. The yacht was doing six knots,
~closehauled to a f~reshening north
wind, and Richard, who had owned
her for exactly one week. felt mighty
proud of her sailing qualities. AS she
neared the buoy which marks the end
of the sunken breakwater, the waves
grew bigger, and Mrs. Markheim's
anxiety grew with them. Richard.
you're sure we shall be all right?
Dolly" turning to her daughter, who
was leaning m~editatively over the
weather rail. watching the foam as it
raced by, Dolly, you're not safe there.
come and sit by me-"
'My lear aunt said Richard rude1y.
unless you can be quiet, I'll just pile
her upon this breakwater, and then
therell be something worth talking
about"
"PTle her up" was an expression
which Richard had come across in one
OF Clark RuSsell's nOvels-he reviewed
novels, wrote them as we'll, or at any
rate Stories-and he used it with all
the relish which a literary man has
for an opposite quotation. Certainly
it s.lenced Mrs. Markheim for the
moment.
The KeStral had now passed the
buoy and was outside the harbOr. and
the eXultant Richard. who had never
before had sole control of a yacht,
winked at his cousin Dolly a wink full
OF high spirits and self-cOntidence.
Feel comfy" he asked her. She
smiled a reply.
Judging from his carelessly nautical
attire, and especially the knowing
angle at which his peaked cap was
tilted, the Inexperienced person might
have taken Richard for a thorough
sailor, Graded upon the deep, and
probably well acquainted with all the
complexities of tide and curren which
give the southwest corner of the ManX
coast an unenviable fame among
yachtsmen, and furnish the fishermen
of Port Erin with innumerable yarns,
but the devious, uncertain course
which the KeStrel shaped. and the fire.
quent flutter of her badly set main
sail told a different story. Indeed, the
crew of an incoming lugger which
passed Richards craft. discussed in
their mild. quiet Manx way the chan
ces of an accident when the yacht got
beyond the shelter of Bradda Head.
She was destined, however, not to get
beyond the shelter of Bradda Head,
Before Richard could plume himself
upon being absolutely in the open sea.
Mrs. Markheim gave an involuntary
shudder. and e~ndeavOred to sit boil
upright.
"Richard,' she said, I'VE must re
turn"
Couldn't think of it now. aunt
We're just beginning to enjoy life"
II insist. I-feel-unwell." She put
her lips together tightly. and for once
Dolly vas glad TO note her mothers
tirmness. Neither of them was use(
to two and a half raters in a choppy
sea.
oh. very we'll. them Richard grum
bled. Il must put the yacht about
and We'll run IN on the other tack"
lie used these sea terms with con
siderable %fuency, for he had beer
studying the subject practically durins
tne past Week. But when it actually
cam TO putting the KeStrel about, his
confidence began TO desert him. Hi:
fisherman tutor had told him that one
person could easily nag a boa
like the "KeStrel." and Richard Will
the omniScient assurance of a mar
accustomed to patronize the ~univers,
in the editorial "nOtes" of an evenin:
paper, had replied, "Oh! yes, easily.
He found the task rather exciting.
however. Should the j:bsheet or tn,
foresheet be looSed first? He decided
on the foreSheet. which was wrong
and vet he could have gone through
the drill without a hitch-on paper
The foreSail was now shaking and b,
called Dolly to hold the helm dowI
hard while he attended to things gen
orally. OF course the yacht hung deat
in the wind, the mainsail Tapping il
4 style which caused Mrs. Markhein
TO pray for dry land.
"Ah missed stays calculated III,
captain of the KeStrel. with al. at
tempt at calmneSs: well try again.
Not without difficulty he got the yach
under way once more. A second tim
Dolly was instructed to hold the helm
down hard, and a second time the oh
Stinate little vessel struck in the wind
"H'mi Funny!r' said Richard.
At this instant Mrs. Markhetm StoO,
up, and the boom Immediately carrie
away her bonnet and part of her hail
She sreamed and following the fiyin
confection with her ewes. she wa
brought face 10 face with tae fac; tia
the yacht was quickly drifting <
wards the rocks of Bradl. She scream
ed anew. this time il earnest:
Richard! See. We're on lne rocks.
Richard looked and at once realize