Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-01-06

and took it's way along the coast,
keeping close in shore, under the deep
shadow of the rocks.
The night was close and warm, and
perfectly still; low upon the horizon
hung a heavy ruck OF clouds, which
had laid an embargo Oh the sunset,
and wrapped the earth III twilight full
an hour too soon; since when they
had drifted higher and thicker, gath
cred and lowered like q republican
tribunal, after agood kings death, in
/ Judgment on a stricken nation.
There was no moon, and the heavy
darkness seemed in no wise relieved by
| the stars that glittered far overhead
/ like silver embroidery on a funeral
pail.
The boat had pulled silently and
stealthily round the projection which
yelled the bay Of Deepgang, they
stretched-across the bay, then put
back once more into the shadow, and
rested on their oars.
ssNot capfuil of wind" muttered
one of the men to his fellow; cit fell as
sudden, too, as it rose, yesternight."
".Ay, but it's only mapping yonder,,'
said the other, as he raised his hand,
and pointed to where a long streak Of
light, beneath the heavy mass ofcloud,
showed like that we remark from I'M
der a room door, reflected by the fire
or lamps within. 'See yonder," he
went on, 1--WE shall have stiff night
of it, mate, and no mistake!'
A growl from the mate, who sat at
the stern of the boat, silenced the
speakers.
There was a long silence, during
which the drip of the water from the
oar which lay idle across the bows,
and the heavy breathing Of the mate,
were perfectly audible.
II shall be right glad when this game
is done, whispered the younger ofthe
men; "Ive no love for the shore, and
wouldn't care, for that matter, if I
never set eyes ont agen; but to be
hanging on and off, the smell of the
fresh turf on one side, and the salt
sea t'other, and to be debarred takin'
to either, why"
whist! there, the hoarse voice of
the mate put in; "draw off, lads, a
cables length
The men obeyed; and again there
was silence this time complete, for the
SCcbulC11 11C1Il U1iC1I OICCIUl1, Clo O1lCy 11O-
tened and looked to the cliffs above
them; and, in the intensity of the still
ness, the night seemed to listen and to
watch, too, in anticipation and sus-
pense.
| Another half-hour passed. The
dark spirit of disaffection had risen
higher and spread wider, the light
streak had narrowed, but more
sharp ana intense, was elonga-
ted father around the horizon,
and atlong intervals sigh more than
q breeze crept over the cliff tops. and
just stirred the sleeping ferns and wild
flowers struggling from the Chine,
then died away, and was still-as if
Nature, too, lay alert behind her out
work, and raised her head from time
to time, to see how Jared all beyond.
cts waking up a bit for certain
now said the elder of the men, s;and
a dirty night it will be, too, take my
word for it"
Ozark as pitch!' returned the
other, hadn't need look for the be-
aeon whenitis kindled, ay, mate?" He
had hardly spoken the words when q
lurid flame dashed from out the dark
ness of thenight, like lightning from the
thunder-cloud, and spread it's glare
upon all around.
Swiftly into recognition came every
rock and stone, each tree, and shrub,
every boundary point or well-known
landmark.
The men started back, as each be-
held the face of his fellow thus reveal
ed, amazement depicted upon every
feature.
For though they had been looking
for this selfsame token, SO sudden and
SO overpowering had been the mani
festation, that for moment it took
them by surprise.
But only for the moment. The
hoarse voice of Yawmans then was
heard, in command
''Draw in, lads! give way there!'
Then he muttered to himself with an
oath, els he mad? lighting up the
whole coast round with that Internal
blaze! Give way, lads with a will! the
Cannot Cove there-lay by, lay by!"
Then to himself-.'H is coming, then;
he will be with us tonight, and, once
aboard the Daredevil, goodbye to
long-shore maggots and white-faced
madams-What blaze!'
'"The capt't had a mind to show a
light, " said one Of the men.
cay, ay, less had ha' done, to my
mind" grumbled the other; "dash
me, but the coast-guard'll be reused,
and there's little use bringing out Of
old sores in that quarter; but it's like
him-all neck or nothing, and, now he
is fairly reused, why, he'll be the old
ones own match, SO he will, and no
mistake"
AS he finished his soliloquy, he
leaped to his feet, and appeared about
to jump on shore, still he hesitated,
while the men handled their oars, yet
looked.
calmly to their superior At that
moment a loud explosion burst upon
the air, awoke the echoes, which bound
ed from rock to rock, and ratified
along the horizon like a thunder-clap.
High above the cliffs flew showers Of