The times., 1901-06-09

like a valiant and gigantic bantam, the
paddles standing for extended wings,
threw defiance at the sea. y short,
hard gale which had sprung up was dy-
ing down: and the steep, torn seas were
giving place TO a suIlen, heavy swell
The gale had done its best to smash
the steamboat swooping upon her at
al points. forward, aft, and broadsi5e;
but, like wary bird, the Fearless was
not caught Her oilskinned skipper
tugging at the wheel, cunningly kept
her up to meet and battle the assaults,
and save for one big sea, which came
Aad swept a few odds and ends of ma
knery and gear from her deck. burst
Fhree or four yards from Of the port
bulwarks out, and flooded the engine
roonl-whieh had. in short made no.
bic effort to overwhelm and bury her,
and so be rid OF her for all time-the
Fearless kept her paddles beating. and
4generally had the look of asking the
seas to come on ond try again.
Now this said the skipper, is what
I call q fine old craft. She's behaved
like a lady, considerin' the funny old
breeze we've had. Why, durin' the last
hour the wind worked right round the
compass, an now it's gone out alto
gether. What a December What
steamboat I'm proud Of her. Halloai
There's the Patriot goin' 'ome. Shove
ser along. Jack, easy, just to run down
4 bit with the Patriot want to ave
word Wi 'Lijah'' He spoke this TO the
engineer. who was standing TO his lev
ers in the wondrous hole between the
box-like bridge-battered by the break
ing seas-and the gaunt, black funnel,
whitened with the salt of flying spray.
The Patriot, a hoary structure which
was fit sister to the Fearless, thumped
toward her.
What cheer, 'Lijah?" shouted the
master Of the Fearless, as the Patriot,
looking vastly important, came within
hail
How do Bob?" replied a black, oil
skinned figure on the Patriots bridge.
Nice breeze!" said Bob.
Very answered Elijah, with sarcas-
tic emphasis. You seem TO have en-
joyed it, don't you? You're a bit knock
ed about, though, aren't you?"
Nothing 10 speak Of retorted Bob.
"a mere trifle. Nothing that a ten
pun note wouldn't cover"
"Oh, I saw that sea hit you.
thought it 'ud done for you. 1t went
right over your stack"
THE Fearless isn't the Patriot" said
Bob. looking scornfully at the other
steamboat If the water had come
on board you as it came on board US
you'd ha' 'ad no stack standin'. l can
see daylight through the top o yours.
What is it-paper, or do you burn acid,
an not coal?"
Keep your criticisms to yourself"
snaIied Elijah.
You go ONE an get a tinker to
patch 'er UP" retOrted Bob, with rising
temper.
.'ShaII I tow you?" asked Elijah, with
infuriated politeness.
No, thank you" answered Bob. I
don't want draggin' to the bottom.
could shove the boat through that hole
in your counter. Pass the trawl warp
round the poor old things body, or
she'll be dissolutin', an your injun'u
drop out O. the bottom"
Good by" said Elijah-he was some
thing of a luminary at the Little Beth
el on the foreshOTe at home, and dared
not let himself speak the words his
wrath dictated.
Come, now, 'Lijah," said Bob en-
gagingly: there's a chance for you to
show what you're made of. III give
you a challenge. I'll give you knot
start, an I'll knock the steam out o
you before were alongside o the Ugh
Light"
sBut why Ugh Light?" asked the
skipper, inQuisitive despite his an
ger.
'.Recoss that's as far south as Tn go
IN 2.e1n Arr1ff
that tOnoTrers Christmas?"
An wot o that?"
We'll I've a partic-lar appointment
for tonight, an I'm goin' TO keep it
Wen run down together with the tide
II you get to the bar first III stand you
a bottle o whisky"
1 don't. drink said Elijah, gruifiy,
IAN you know it."
'Bacca, thenY"
'sNor vet smoke" answered the suf-
fering skipper of the Patriot.
Well then. bundle O. tracts-or a
plum puddin'," continued Bob. or
anv other trife o. food or readin' you
might fancy"
The Patriots crew, with storm cap
ped pipes gripped between their teeth,
smoked and grinned as they leaned
against the rail and listened to this
exchange of words. "Ahi I've known
the day." said the mate, sadly, when
Bod 'Ud have been no match for 'Lijah
in language. But the shippers fallen
off 2 lot lately"
Shove her along" ordered Elijah, |
staring stubbOrnIy ahead, and setting
his course for home and his Christmas
dinner.
IF you viii run away from me tell |
'em I've gone into Jetby because I've a I
very special appointment TO keep there /
tonight VIII yOu2" shouted Bob.
IN tell en-" answered Elijah, still 1
gazing sullenly ahead.
I'm gOin' on said Bob; I'm rather /
In 'urry, an there's somebody watch |
in and waitin' for me at Jetby.'
At Jetby2 Why, by the time you
get there there won't be water enough 4
TO float you over the bar"
"Oh, yes, there Will" answered Bob. !
''Yca know I'm not waterlOgged like !.
you. Ha. ha. So long. Sorry / shall /.
have to leave you. Now. Jack, give her /
beans"
Jack let his levers go, and the Fear F.
less began TO draw away from the Pa /
triot. which was badly handicapped by /
hurled aboard. and had fallen into the /
hold instead Of going back TO the sea
The Fearless churned on her way, her
hill at times sinking into the holows
of the swell and at other times pOising
totteringly on the SUBMITS. Within an
hour she had been lost TO sight in fog
that was driving up from the south /
As she disappeared Elijah heard the
distant wall Of her siren. II was. he
recognized, more a message to himself