Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-09-26
THE ACT OF GOD.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY JOHN FLEMING WILSON.

l stretched it's lonely length across
the shoals of Clatsop Spit, and before
Lightship No. so swung it's glare over
the hOming waves, a small, ill-found
steam-schoOner was beating up into
the nor'wester, preparatory to scud-
ding into the Columbia river. The
afternoon darkened fast, and the
skipper was taking a look at the bar
in an attempt to satisfy himself that
he could make harbor before the
night. His observations were not
reassuring: from his low elevation
he caught the CLEAN of huge
cornbers racing from North Head
to the low lands of the Spit;
the bar was rough and consequently
dangerous.
He closed the spyglass with snap
and walked forward to the door of
the little engine room. "Jim," he
shouted, "shut your hampers. Well
lie off outside tonight
''Mind your eye," said the skipper
threateningly.
81 can't do better with craft down
by the head" retorted the sailor
GROSSLY.
"Clumsy!" roared his superior, and
II.
Presently grfmy face followed by
lank body emerged from the en-
CINE room. The newcomer viewed
the situation from under the pent
of his greasy cap and turned to the
wheelman. "Tm sick O. this" he
said; ''ain't your"
You're right. I am sick of it.
The old man is the worst I ever saw.
He drives, drives, and he don't get
anywhere with it all. But what in
thunder can we do?"
I'm going to tell him right now,'
continued the engineer, that I've no
mind to stew below decks all day
fussing with his tin-pot machine,
handling his dirty slab-wood, and then
be turned out to pull-haul the whole
night. It's going to be dirty weather,
too"
1.-THE winds backn'," growled the
sailor.
$50 I reckoned. It's going to be a
nasty night; and we could be inside
the bar in two hours
''The old man was just now looking
at the bar. Reckon it's rough, or he'd
go in.''
Not much. He owns this tub and
he isn't going to risk her except in
daylight, even if it does mean you and
me working double tides" The en-
gineer frowned blackly and shook a
dirty fist at the captains closed
door. The other member of the crew,
a small, scantily-clad boy, came by
with a pot of coffee. It's SAVIOR
mounted to the nostrils of both men
and did not mollify their temper
1.-THE boy there he treats like a dog
worse than dog" continued the
engineer with fresh rancor, land he's
not fit for stand-up work like this
''True enough" responded the
sailor, ''but I'm sorry for myself
I've been at this bally wheel since
sun-up, and the old mans got her
down by the head SOS she steers
ike key of nails
Their sense of injury did not grow
less by discussion, and it was not
long till the engineer asserted that
he was going ITO knock off, The
sailor ruminated awhile, with his
gaze fixed upon his superior. 'I an
going to quit" said the latter
peevishly.
The sailor passed flashing around
the wheel. When this was fast he
slouched forward, saying simply: I'm
with you.''
The engines, which had not beer
stopped, were working slowly ans
more slowly as the steam pressure
went down. No sail was abroad ex
cept head sail, and now that tn,
wheel was abandoned, the Katie fel
off and lurched heavily against /;
sea.
Here, you'll" shouted the captain
tumbling on deck, mind your"
He ceased abruptly when he saw
the wheel dashed, and left to it's own
devices. instantly he ran forwart