Evening journal., 1899-03-15

Too CI6V6r bU Hall
By David Ker.
~ oNDER goes Antonio to try his
luck againl"

oNDER goes Antonio to try his
luck againl"
His luck will be something to boast
of if it brings him back alive"
fright, Petrol None but a young
featherpate like him would venture out
with that white cloud in the sky. And
yet, il is pity, for he is fine lad, too"
So muttered a groupof Italian fisher
men, who were standing with their
brown hands arched over their keen
black eyes, watching the progress Of
the only boat that had dared to put out
under the shadow of the coming storm.
There had been a long and hard
nights work for all the men who be-
longed TO the queer little cluster of huts
of broken stone or driftwood which
formed the "village" of San Carlo.
Their MASTER the prince of Monte
Rosso, was about to marry his only
daughter to a Sicilian count, and had
proclaimed that any fisherman who
could bring him a good-sized turbot-
without which no Italian dinner was
thought complete in those days-for
the wedding feast, Should name his
own price for it. But, although they
had fished industriously from sunset
till dawn, no one had been lucky
enough to secure the prize.
Tired as they were, the fishermen
had no thought of giving in, for such a
chance of profit did notcome every day.
But a little after sunrise they espied
something which made them scurry
homeward like a flock Of scared sheep.
Far in the distance the clear, bright
blue of the sky was marred by one
small, round, white cloud, very much
like puff of smoke from the mouth of
a cannon; and the experienced seamen
knew only too well the fatal forerunner
of the white squall."
But, while all the rest were flying
shoreward, the youngest of their band
was standing boldly out to sea in his
little boat, all alone.
Antonio had, indeed, good reason to
try his utmost for the promised reward,
for one-half the money which he might
expect for the precious fish would ena-
Bile him to buy himself new boat and a
set of new nets, which he very much
needed.
And so, on the chance Of being able
to do this, he was now running a risk
from which his boldest comrades
shranl.
He's making for the 'Wolf's Teeth, '
said an old fisherman, pointing to the
two huge. black, pointed rocks, which
rose gauntly up out Of the sea, close to-
gether, about five miles from the shore
"If he can get right in between them
before the storm bursts, he may escape
yet"
IF he can't, Heaven help his poor
motherl" answered a woman's voice
piiyingly.
Then came a dead silence, while all
strained their eyes TO watch the race
for life between that small sail and the
advancing whirlwind.
The little white cloud that had
warned them was now spreading fast
over the whole sky. and, as it spread, il
grew darker and darker.
Far out to seaward, line of white
foam was seen flying over the gloomy
waters with the speed Of an arrow
Then, through the still air, came fear
full sound, half moan. half roar. anc
they had barely time 10 cover dowr
behind a huge rock for shelter, when al
around was dark as night. and III,
spray was rattling on the pebbly beach
like a shower Of shot, and over then
swept the white squall with the rush o
a charging army. whirling far away in
land the foam which it had torn from
the surging waves.
When the sky cleared again. An
tonio's boat was gone.
Poor ladl" said old Battisia. compass
sionately. this comes of being too ven
turesome. The goat that feeds OF
Nesuyius must needs be burnt up a
last"
But who is TO tell his moiherY
asked one Of the women.
To that question there was no reply
The group melted silently away, on,
by one.
Two hours later. however. the de
jected villagers were shouting ant
rushing down 10 the shore like mad
men, all pointing eagerly to a small
boat, which had just glided out iron
between the Wolf's Teeth.
Its Antonios boati" cried Battisia
as she neared the land. Il know her b.
the patch in her sail; and see, he's waV
ing his cap 10 us"
"Well. comrades" cried Antonio
irom the boat, I've got somethin
A wealthy and rsanons,Dte firm sua,