Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-27
amy unless he's putting something

happy unless he's putting something
right" -
a few minutes afterwards there was
clatter of blocks and a big surf-boat
SMASHED into the sea. Krooboy boat
hands and white seamen slid down the
falls: the mate shouted, "Shove off before
she's stove alongside" and the boat shot
away from the wallowing steamer on the
smooth back of a swell Glancing over
his shoulder, the mate saw shadoWy
figure leaning out over the Dunllns ran
and heard the Captains voice: BE care
full. Look out for -" and then the YES
sci rolled wildly down, and the words
were drowned in a gurglng rush OF wa
ter.
Paddle there, paddle" was the order,
and the black boat-boys, balancing them
selves on either gunwale. gripped loop
OF fibre with their prehensile toes, as
they swung the dripping paddles, and
the surf-boat went fast inshore, now
shooting aloft on the crest of roller,
now sinking deep in the gloomy trough
Ten minutes later they padded slower,
and the mate stood erect in the stern
sheets as the boat rose and fell sharply
just outside the fringe Of breakers. Gray
dawn was coming across the heaving
ocean. A read streak broadened and
deepened along the eastern horizon, while
beyond the parallel lines of roaring surf
the feathery tufts of the palms rose dimly
above the misty forest The fire had died
away. and only a few wreaths Of dingy
smoke were family visible against the
bluff
you fit take us through surf, Fry
PAM" asked the mate, and the grizzled
helmsman nodded silently as he took
frmer grip Of the sculling oar. Then in
you gol Give her fits! IIyah, Krooboy"
shouted the officer. and the engineer
slowly and methodically buclkled a cork
llfe-belt about his waist. Cleanliness is
guild" he observed; but yon's no the best
place for mornn' bath"
Then the headman raised his voice, the
Krooboys broke out into a wild chant as
they leaned over the bending paddles and
the foam boiled high on either bow as
the boat leaped forward. Presently she
swept aloft with a snowy smother spout
ing above the gunwale; then the paddles
whirled together and she swOOped wildly
down into the black hollow beyond. Again
she rose, and this time half a ton Of
yeastly water poured I'm over the stern,
and the white men dashed the spray from
their eyes and gazed at the liquid walls
rolling between them and the laundering
beach.
Were I'm for II now, and must face IL
out" said the mate hoarsely, and the en-
gineer nodded with the light Of battle in
his eyes. Again the headman shou,ed,
and wild outburst Of yelling and whist
ling followed. The paddles dipped to-
gether, and the boat was swept madly
forward on the crest of a breaker half
hidden in the mass Of curling foam, while
the helmsman gasped out unheeded or
ders. and bent himself double over the
sculling oar For moment or two the
white men held their breath; then there
was shiyering crash, and cataract or
spray fell upon them; the boats keel |
ground deep into the sand. and the back
wash roared against the bows. A dozen |
KrooboyS leaped over the gunwale; Off I
GERS and white seamen were carried be- !
yond the reach of the ebbing water; and |
long ridge upon the sand the surf boat !
was run up high and dry
"Alls well that ends well, and now for /
the custom-house," said the mate. Side by /
side the two officers hurried up the beach, |
the one gripping a revolver and the other |
an Anticipated brass-hilted thing he called |
a claymore but there was neither sound |
nor sign of life as they brushed through |
the dewy banana leaves towards the
smouldering ruin.
Them krooboy devils has all gone.
sir" said the quartermaster, a few PAGES |
in advance, and the white men came out
from the gloom OF the dripping palm
fronds. a faint voice cried "Helpp' and.
starting at the sound, the newcomers
turned their heads and saw a sight which
az hrst moved them 10 pity, and after
wards to hearty laughter.
a common mode of address on this
coast.
81 have seen a hundred or more swim
| mile 10 the beach. and land through a
surf nc steamers boats could pass.
IA. r.