The Forrest City times., 1899-05-19

ls there no one?" pleaded Mrs. FL

IS there no one?" pleaded Mrs. FL lerton.
 There's no man about; but I dun- no, Mary said, dubiously. q reckon l might row the dory that fur, but I'm 'fraid l couldn't bring both boats back: the tide is runnin' out now"
 70 could you-could you row out to them?"
 Iwould be tug. might have to let the dory go-'nd l don't know what father d say"
 Don't mind the boat-I'n pay for that. But, o, hurry-do, do hurryl"
 I'll go, murn," Mary said. quietly.
 Il will go with you" tremulously ex. claimed Mrs. Eellerton.
 Not less n you kin row." Mary an. swered. Reckon I'll have my hands full 'thout any extra ballast" The tide carried the dory along at a rate which quickly overhauled the tru- ants. But the wind was swifter than the tide. It came along in fierce puffs. with short intervals of calm between. The black rim of the ocean broadened And the fisherman's daughter, familiar with the sea, felt that it would be hard race.
 As Mary neared the cedar boat. she saw that the two girls were frightened to the verge of tears.
 We've lost an oar," Ruth explained, ''and the tide is running away with us. 1"
 "Climb in here, quicx!" she command. ed.
 The girls obeyed, and Mary pushed the empty boats from them.
 70, why did you do that ?" cried Ruth.
 "'Cause," Mary answered, commence ing to row, "'cause it'll be all we kin do to fetch ashore without a-towin' nuthin'."
 Isn't this boat awful lottery 9" asked Ruth.
 'P'rhaps; but it's safe un." But you are not headed for the cove"
 "I know it. Couldn't do nuthin' with this heavy boat 'gainst such tide. If we fetch the point we'll be doin' well. Put out that spare oar-no, not on that side; t'other. Now, don't say nuthin', but pull away for all you're wuth." For some minutes they tugged at the heavy oars. Then Gertrude asked, tremulously: Mary, isn't the tide talk ing us out?' Its touch an go," answered Mary As she spoke she put the bow about, and the others uttered cry of fear. The black line of wind-beaten water was sweeping toward them at race horse speed. "Down in the bottom!" shouted Mary. Don't lose that oar! Now, sit down, flat down-so! All we kin do now is to keep from gettin' broadside to; that 'ud be like to swamp us." In moment the sky was changed to saffron, and the air was full of flying spray. There was no hope left of mak- ing the point, and the ocean lay beyond 'Gertie," called Mary, fish the bailer from under the starn seat. That's it Now get to work with it." Gertrude obeyed, but soon laid the bucket down. 70, I'm so sick!" she fal- tered.
 "I'll take it, Gertie," said Ruth, cour- ageously. Guess I'm too frightened to feel sick" Mary had been out in this same dory | with her father when the wind had blown "a stiff breeze" but never in such gale as this. She knew quite well how to manage the cranky boat, and she had often heard her father say: Thar warn't no boat safer;" but she realized that any boat was in peril in such a storm.
 70, Mary" moaned Gertrude, twill we ever get back?"
 "Course," answered Mary. five seed it blow 20 times harder" She did not think it necessary to add that she ha6 not, at the time, been on the water "Now,' she continued, tits all l kir do to manage the boat, so don't asl no more questions. Jest play Pm your captain, nd you're to keep still till speak"
 "All right, captain" said Ruth whose fears were somewhat allayed by Marys tone of playfulness. The wind blew fercely for awhile and then it began to rain. Ruth began to sob convulsively; but Mary bent to her task with renewed hope.
 "Stop that, Ruth," she shouted. "This rains the best thing as could happen | it'll lay the sea, an it'll lay the wind Soon the water ceased dashing over the bows; and presently Mary rested and let the boat drift. Though the rain beat upon them piteously, Mary did not mind it; but the two others were thor oughly chilled. She leaned over and shook Ruth wig orously.
 Ruth, Ruth," she cried, this will never dol" I'm so cold!" sobbed Ruth. "Get up, then, and bail. "I-Tm so scared!" "There's nuthin' now to scare about we're as safe this minute as we'd be ashore"
 Ruth did not mark the saving phrase but with a faith in Mary stronger than her fears resumed the bailing with