Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-07-05
CHAPTER VII.


OF THE GREAT STRAIT WE FOUND
OURSELVES IN, AND HOW THAT
SUBTLE ROGUE. THE MATE. SEEMED
STILL TO TRIUMPH.
By this time some showing of what
change OF weather began to appear.
The sun was now pretty high, but it
did not strike down with its usual heat,
thin, whitish, almost imperceptible
haze floating between, and presently
| noticed that the northern sea line
was a little darkened, so that the hori-
zon itself was not so sharply cut as it
had been. The air, too, had changed
feeling-a little damper, as might say,
and with more of the ocean smell in it.
| now surmised that we were to catch
bit of a blow, though not a hurri
cane, and that the wind would pres
emily shift to the north. What sort of
business we could make of it Heaven
only knew, and it was with no little
stirring of apprehension that finally
gave over my studying and directed
a more general look around. The long
boat was still travelling southwest, and
the same easy sea. not so deeply blue
as before the thin veil came over the
sun, but raising scarcely a crest, and
swinging and sinking in diminishing
water hills and valleys. The raft
climbed up and slid down in the fash
ion that such a continuance must, dash
ing a bit of spray over us now and
then, but yet making some Roadway,
and in this sort we continued for per-
haps two hours. By that time we had
all thought it best 20 get into our OIL
skins, Mr.. lynn likewise discarding his
wig, and in lieu of it drawing on a little
knit cap, like a nightcap, and when at
last it was quite bit past noon l got
out and served dinner. Of course, it
had to be eaten cold. but we added a
little brandy, and it relished well. ard
after this nothing happened till early
night.
The wind had swung little into the
north, giving token of what was to be
expected, and the sea was coming up
a bit, but as yet had made no heads
of dangerous size. The sun was setting
red, but with topping of gray clouds.
and the air was growing chilly, though
it could not yet be called cold. ] swept
the sea line once more for a sail, but
without success, whereupon. feeling
weary and a bit discouraged. l flung
myself down and drew piece of canvas
over me. 1 heard Mr.. lynn stir about
little-I say heard. for / had covered
my head for the moment-and pres
emily knew that he had gore aft to
relieve the captain at the helm. had
a strange sort of quiet. secure feeling
come over me. then, in a way as though
l had no further care of this business
and scarce needed to feel fear. and in a
moment / was lapsing from that into
a browse. l was called back to myself
by loud tone of talking, and on throw
ing back the canvas found Mr.. lynn and
the captain on their feet ard looking
with great seeming of eagerness to-
ward some point in the western sea-
board. 1 flung the canvas wholly from
me and sprang up.
The sea had darkened even in the
few moments had been under the can
vas, and only pale, lemon-colored
sunset. The raft canted and made its
downward slide just as / got steadi-
ness of my legs, and could only whisk
my eye, so to speak. over the shoulder
| of the crest, before we had dropped
into the duskiness of the hollow. But
| In that glimpse saw what it was that
| my companions had discovered. Against
| the yellow western band stood out a
| black dot, which could only be sail!
My heart gave a great jump, and
| could have shouted, but in the end
.ontented myself with saying two OIL
three times profoundly: ''Thanl
God!" and with that stood quietly OF
my straddled legs, waiting for the next
rise of the raft. My companions hat
| given over their talking, and seemed
| 10 be holding themselves in patience
as 1 was, only that. think, Mr.. Tyn
spoke to me as stood about for my
balance, and so drew his notice. TIL,
| raft-swung to the top of the crest, ano
as it tipped for the next slide we al
looked eagerly for the black dot
beyond any manner of doubt the mar
row-wise view of a ship! We cried out
IN kind of cheer, and 1 then fell t.
asking with eagerness how long sh.
had been in sight.
81 raised her but moment since,
answered the captain. '.She showed
first as you see her, and must therefor,
be bows-on. But, pray you, pass m,
my glass, and / will see what furthel
can bp made of her -
FASTENED to fetch his glass from hi
box of instruments, and when the mex
lift of the raft was be brought it t,
bear.
Mr.. lynn and hung on his words
for it was an anxious moment, an,
| presently felt a vast relief when b.
broke out:
] -Yes. large ship. and bows-on. sh