Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-06-02

hQlIiA
Isn't this boat awful lottery ?" asked
Ruth.
"P'rhaps; but it's a safe un''
But you are not headed for the
cove"
81 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,
TREMENDOUSLY: 'Mary, isn't the tide tax
ing US out?"
Its touch an Co." answered Mary.
As she spoke she put the bow about,
and the others uttered a 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, fiat down-so! All we kin do
now is to keep from gettin' broadside
to; that 'ud be like to swamp u.s."
In moment the sky was changed to
saffron, and the air was full of flying
spray. There was no hope left of max
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. 80, I'm so sicki" she fall
tered.
''I'1l 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
a 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
storm.
20, Mary" moaned Gertrude, "win we
ever get back?"
Course" answered Mary. 1--WE seed
it blow 20, times harder" She did not
think it necessary to add that she had
not, at the time, been on the water.
Now" she continued, Its all L kin
do to manage the boat, SO don't ask
no more questions. Jest play I'm your
captain, md you're to keep still till I
speak,
''An right, captain" said Ruth,
whose fears were somewhat allayed by
Mary's tone of playfulness.
The wind blew fiercely for awhile,
and then it began to rain.
Ruth began to sob convulsive1y; but
Mary bent to her task with renewed
hope.
stop that, Ruth she shouted. ''This
;r,sS J,a hor
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
oughly chilled.
She leaned over and shook Ruth Wig
orously.
Ruth, Ruth" she cried, this will
never dol"
I'm so co1di" sobhed.Ruth.
"Get up, then, and bail"
Tin 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
vigor. Mary, meanwhile, took off her
own wet but warm jacket and wrapped
it tenderly about Gertrude. you've jest
got to git up nd row, Gertie," she said;
you must, for Ruth md me. 'Tain't
dangerous now, if someun keeps rowin';
md I'm jest tuckered. Keep her headin'
the waves" she said, drowsily; and as
Gertrude weakly took up the oars,
Mary sank down exhausted.
1t seemed to Mary that but a few min
utes passed-though Ruth declared it
was ''hours and hours"-before Ger
trude reused her.
Look, Mary" she said. ''What is
that?''
Mary rubbed her eyes and peered
through the mist. Then she sprang up,
reaching for the spare oar. "Of with
that jacket, Gertie," she cried, no
gimme that white skirt o yourn.'
With nervous haste Gertrude took off
her dainty petticoat, which Mary
promptly tore and rugged. ''Now," she
commanded, ''swap places-'nd wave
this here flag of ourn all you're wuth!"
Mary desperately bent to the oars;
There was dark spot across the water,
which seemed to Gertrude but patch
of blacker cloud, but Mary knew it for
what it was. Soon the others recog-
nized it, too. for they cried together:
"a schooner"
A man ran the length of the vessels
deck; then a second man appeared;
and as Mary, exerting her last bit OF
strength, drove the dory within reach,
a rope was thrown to her, which she
caught and fastened to the painter.
The man drew the dory alongside and
lifted out the children. GOD bless us
my Maryi" cried one of them.
Never was ship more welcome than
was that little fishing schooner when
it came to anchor again in the cove.