The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-12

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 otter heard her father
say, Thar warn't no boat safer; but
she realized that any boat was in peril
in such a storm. She set her teeth
hard, however, determined that the
others should not see she was alarmed.
"Oh, Mary" moaned Gertrude, will
we ever get back?'
Course" answered Mary. I've seed
it blow twenty 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 I kin
do to manage the boat, SO don't ask
no more questions. Jest play I'm your
captain, nd you're to keep still till
speak
'All right. captain said Ruth.
whose fears We're somewhat allayed by
Mary's tone of playfulness.
The wind blew fiercely far awhile,
and then it began to rain; just a few
| great, SWift-thrown drops at first, and
then a pelting deluge.
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
trude heard. for wind and rain and
warning waves were singing in deafen-
I ing chorus.
Mary's words proved prophetic. Soon
the water ceased dashing over the
bows; and presently Mary rested, and
let the boat drift. Through the rain
beat upon them pitilessly, Mary did
not mind it; but the two others were
thoroughly chilled.
Ruth, shivering from fright and cold.
crept to her sister, and, holding her
close, sobbed, ooh, Gertie Gertie, Mary
( has given upi'
But Mary was far from giving up.
Realizing that immediate danger was
past, for the time she succumbed to
exhaustion. The refreshing rain soon
reused her, and she leaned over and
shook Ruth vigorously.
Ruth, Ruth she cried, this will
never do
I'm so cold" sobbed Ruth.
Get up, then, and ball.
I'm so scaredi"
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 q faith in Mary stronger than
her years, resumed the bailing with
vigor. Mary, meanwhile, took off her
own wet but warm jacket and wrapped;
ii tenderly about Gertrude. You've
jest got to git up nd row, Gertie,'' she
said; you must, for Ruth nd me.
'Tain't dangerous now. if someun keeps
rowin'; nd I'm jest tuckered.' This last
was true, for she felt a curious numb
headin' the waves" she said, drowsily;
and as Gertrude weakly took up the
oars, Mary sank down exhausted.
1t seemed 10 Mary that but a few
minutes 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
UP, reaching for the spare oar. of
with that jacket, Gertie." she cried;
''no-gimme that white skirt O. yourn.'
There was a ring in her voice that for
babe questions. With nervous haste,
Gertrude took off her dainty petticoat
and Mary promptly rugged it. Now,
she commanded, swap places-nd
wave this here flag of oUen all you're
wuth.'
The exchange of places made Mary
desperately bent to the oars, There
was a dark spot across the water,
which seemed to Gertrude but a patch
of blacker cloud possessed of curious
motion; but Mary knew it for what it
was Soon the others recognized 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.
And Mary, her trembling arms tight
around his neck, convulsively sobbed,
"Oh, daddy"
The children were put to bed in
hunks and dosed with hot tea. There
was a toy-like stove in the cabin-a
"bogie," John Bethel called it-before
which their clothing quickly dried |
But they did not require it for many
hours. With dawn next morning, how
ever, came a gentle breeze that parted |
the fog and waited them swiftly home |
ward. |
Never was a ship more welcome than |
was that little fishing schooner when
it came to anchor in the cove.
Mrs. Ellerton was too overcome at !
first to do more than wiring John Beth I
els hard hands.
Mrs. Ellerton after her first trans
port of joy, drew Captain Mary close
and kissed her freckled face again /
and again.
You shall want for nothing, dear"
she said, so long as ever we live How
could you have had such courage2"
Twarnt no fool job" said Mary,
but I'm mighty glad I done it."
RALPH GRAHAM TABER
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