Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-09-28


to encourage them. VIII, who had
made the long detour OF the winding
road. arrived at the foot of the stairs
almost as soon as they did, hot and
breathless, but with no trace of the
fugitive to report
Il wonder what that craft is aboutY
asked Fritz, pointing to fisherboat,
lying to, a short distance down the
coast.
They hurried down the beach and at
the same time the little craft hoisted
a rag of sail and made toward them
She was almost opposite when MILDLY,
who had been jumping around like a
crazy dog gave out loud yell and
started back rs If he had been shot
The boys wheeled around and stared
Look" they shouted simultaneously,
and started after the dog.
A bare legged and swarthy Mexican
had emerged from one of the large hol-
lows worn by the sea In the bluff and
was running down across the sand
straight for the surf. They could see
tnat he had large sack in his hand.
Meanwhile fresh breeze had struck
the dory anu 1t was making good head
way in his direction.
I'VE shall lose himv' said WILL
Hes going to swim for it."
AFTER him! Go for him, Middy!'
yelled Fritz.
The dog needed no urging, but
h<Nr1ndAl ~,
the water after the man with the bag.
The tide was out, but the fellow was
already in the surf and the boat was
rounding to, just outside the breakers.
mo use" said VIII. HE has too
good start"
Just then shrilI cry of pain came
from the surf. followed by another still
louder
The fugitive had halted. He stag
gered in the deep water that was now
above his waist and turned and limped
toward the shore, bowling grievously
as he slowly retraced his steps.
What is it?" asked Will In amaze
ment
81 know--it's a stingaree." exclaimed
Fritz. ''The thief has a hot barb in
his heel and it's cramped his leg. We
have got himp'
With cry of rage the fellow lifted
the bag above his head and flung it
as far as he could into the sea.
But the setter was too good a bird
dog to wait for any command to swim
for 1t and bring it ashore, and II was
safe In his mouth before it could sink.
Hurrying to meet him. the boys
found their precious cockerels in the
sack, frightened half to death and
their white plumes dripping, but not
beyond recovery of animation or fam
lily pride.
AS for the thief. the boys cut the
barb out of Manuel's ankle, dressed
the wound. gave him back his substi-
tuted birds and sent him home VOW
ing solemnly to keep at an honest dis
tance from other folks chicken coops,
with the burning smart of his injury
to remind him of a virtuous resolution
for many days to come, for the barb of
the ''stingaree" is STEPPED In poison.
1t Is the wasp, of the sea, the sting
ray, and the warm surf of the Pacific
beaches is It's favorite abode 1t is a
round. fat fish. varying in diameter
from a few inches to a foot, with a
barb an inch or two long reposing In
neat groove on the top of It's tail
The sting ray employs this weapon
only for defense or retaliation. When
a bather steps on the fish the barb flies
up as IL the indignant sting ray had
touched a spring and lodges in the un-
lucky heel or ankle.
OF course the Krantz brothers cock
erels took the $50 prize. as no rivals
approached their merits and magnifi-
cence.
This victory added to the fame of the
young breeders. and eggs for Matching
from their pens, now command a pre-
MUM, adding much to their revenue
and many to the comforts of their lit
tie home on the bluffs. Boston Globe.