Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14

been connected with the shore. They
placed the third member of the COM
mittee on exploration on the raft,
and aided by the tide made quick
voyage back to the camp. By this
time Mr.. Pence had partially recov-
cred, and under the stimulus of a
glass of brandy tod the story of
his adventure.
81 went along the shore and kept
sharp lookout for alligators and
things like that" said Mr.. Pence.
Nothing happened. however, and I
went clear out to those big rocks by
the ocean. There the sea comes right
in and you cannot get past. The
rocks drop down into deep water,
and there is no sign of beach. l
started back and decided to go out
on that rock where you found me-"
Mr.. Pence paused and shuddered at
the thought.
ut ran out from the shore like
pier" he continued. 81 went out
at the end and sat down to watch
the fishes. The water was clear as
crystal, and the bottom was white
sand. 1t was cool in the shade of
the rock and enjoyed it, | noticed
a funny piece of quartz in the rock,
and took out mE knife to see if I
could pry it out. In doing so I
pulled out coin and it struck the
nd L,,,,rInI int
could see it as it zigzagged through
the water A fish chased after it,
and for moment l thought he was
going to swallow it, but he didn't"
Mr.. Pence took another small taste
of brandy to steady his nerves.
81 could see where the nickel lay
on the white sand" he said. 81
knew it was a nickel, as had but III
cents and "a bridge ticket when [
left New York, and when I counted
my money out on that rock l had
only six cents. That proved it was
nickel; and besides, it looked like
nickel. l went"
"You know what nickel looks
like all right" said Mr.. Kent. go ON
with your story. 1t grows interest
ing"
81 did not propose to lose that
money!" said Mr.. Pence, regarding
Mr.. Kent with suspicion. 81 could
see it as plain as l see you. 1t was
in about ten feet of water. ] went
ashore and cut pole about 1G feet
long, trimmed it up nicely, and went
back. / reached down into the wa
ter and started to poke the nickel
along towards the other end of the
rock where the water was shallow
and l could reach it. 1t was slow
work. Sometimes I would poke il
into the sand and one time / was
sure it was lost. but I dug it up
other side of the rock, but was
astonished to find that the water
was five feet deep there. Then
thought of the tide! I jumped to
the other side. To my horror 1 saw
that the water was three feet over
the place bad crossed, and was
running like millrace!'
l1ld you get the nlckei! asked
Mr.. Kent.
No" said Mr.. Pence sadly can
eddy of water whirled the sand over
it while was away. / put my hand
kerchief on the pole and waved for
help. In my excitement / dropped
the pole and it fioated away with my
handkerchief. The tide kept on ris-
ing until I could not stay on that
side of the rock, SO / went to the
place where you found me. I ex-
pected every minute that an alligator,
or a crocodile, or shark would come
along and get me. 1t was awful
You should be more careful with
your money, Simon" said Mr.. Kent.
you let me keep that bridge ticket
for you. With your careless. reckless
disposition in money matters you
will be so reduced in circumstances
when you reach New York that you
will have to walk home"
Mr.. Pence looked at the millionaire