The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-24

IL seemed to him that at n single |
bound he passed through the fringe of |
spruces, and came upon a house so |
suddenly that he almost ran against II. |
In all respects it resembled Sam Rod |
mans dwelling, but how he had en-
countered 1t so soon, unless It had come
to meet him, was more than Shirley
could understand. Even though the
house had walked across the island
for his convenience, it would not have
added greatly, in his estimation, to the
wonder of his being there, when he
should have been forty fathoms deep
in the bay. He gave but the briefest
recognition to this new evidence of
Heavens favor. Running around the
corner of the house, he found its prin-
cipal door and began to beat upon 1t.
A window almost over his head came
up as IL he had touched the spring
that controlled it. A man appeared,
and called out heartily: who's
there?"
1--WE swum here from Gull Rock"
Shirley answered. There are some
people on the ledge and they will drown
If we don't reach them. We were in
boat and she upset. We drifted
across the bay"
"You swum here from Gull Rock"
exclaimed the man. why it's more'n
three milesr'
mo it isn't" cried Shirley; "but
never mind that. Come along. We
must get back there before high tide.
You've got boat of course?"
The man did not answer. He had
vanished from the window There was
a heart-breaking delay, and then Shir-
ley heard the rattle of bars and locks.
rvt. 1n Tor
of the house appeared bearing lamp.
Come in," he said; and Shirley fol-
lowed him along a short hall and into
what seemed to be the dining-room of
the house.
The man set the lamp on the mantel-
piece beside the clock. The white dial
seemed to start suddenly forward and
confront Shirley. The young man
pointed at it. He could not speak.
That's right" said his host. IT'S
five minutes of two"
High tidev groaned Shirley.
They're lost"
Look here, young feller," said the
man, slowly. There must be some
thing wrong about this. You haven't
swum from Gull Rock down here. The
man doesn't live that could do 1t.
You've lost your bearings somehow"
"I hope to heaven 1 have" rejoined
Shirley. Indeed, 1 know it's true.
This isn't Compass Island"
mot by jug full. It's Little Green.
and I'm Bill Green"
How did l get here?"
"God knows" was the answer. Tell
me your story again. Well go along
while you talk. Wen take these Ian
terms along for l guess you've got
some friends marooned somewhere
though they amt on Gull Rock"
He picked up a small boat lantern
and another that was a powerful affair
with a big reflector behind its lamp
Shirley told his story as they walked
down to the cove, where the islander
kept his boat. His companion did moi
interrupt him once. When Shirley hat
finished, he said
your friends are all right. They're
, off here on Black Ledge, not quar-
, ter of a mile from this island"
TT can't be-" said Shirley. "W'
couldn't have drifted way down here
The wind was southwest
IT'LL the squali struck" interrupted
: the islander; "then it came off to th'
!, westard. You was too busy gettin
/. upset to notice it: but the fact is tina
the wind shifted four points in a blast
ed second. / never see it act jest tha
: way afore. That's where you mad
your mistake. You drifted way to tn
, southard os the Gull Rock lodges"
= And Black Lege is out at higl
| tide? You're sure of it?"
t Certain. On a high run o. tides it.
t just wash, but it'll stick up like a sor
. thumb tonight. Don't you worry, m
{ boy. In an hour from now your friend
E will be warm and dry and comfortabl
[ in my house"
I His words proved true. Alice, an
= Harry and I had scarcely convince
D ourselves that the seeming miracle O
r the tide had actually happened, whe
] a sudden, bright light flashed upon u:
The boat in which Shirley and Bi
!. Green were coming to our rescue, ha
I | rounded the rocky northern end of tn
}. island. A moment later come tn
s friendly hail. The boat drew near raj
S idly. We could see only the brigh
4 light in the bay, but presently those
Il the boat could see us plainly and the
a. had no need to ask after our safety.
f And when we heard Shirley's voic
t and knew for certainty that it wa
he, we danced and shouted for joy
a. danced on the slippery rocks with tn
h little strength that remained to us, an
$ shouted with tbroats that were roug
/. with salt spray that had beaten in OF
a faces oil the fearful night.
@ The mystery of the tide and of Shil
e ley's coming to land were explained I
IS us in a word. 1t was all in the shift {