The Irish standard., 1903-03-28

=-es1O <Es.=z> - X L
THEY FOUND A cRoUCH1NG FIG
URE ON THE LEDGE.
crouching figure on a narrow ledge
just above the steadily rising tide.
Simon Pence was speechless with
terror. The ledge on which he stood
was now an island, but Sidney OBJ
served that at low tide it must have
been connected with the shore. They
placed the third member of the COM
mttee on exploration on the raft,
and aided by the tide made a quick
voyage back to the camp. BY this
time Mr.. Pence had partially recov-
cred, and under the stimulus Of
glass of brandy told the story of
his adventure.
81 went along the shore and kept
a sharp lookout for alligators and
things like that said Mr.. Pence.
| Nothing happened, however, and l
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 a beach. I
started back and decided to go out
on that rock where you found me-"
Mr.. Pence paused and shuddered at
the thought.
"It ran out from the shore like
pier" he continued. 81 went out
at the end and sat down to watch
! E..J,
crystal and the bottom was white
sand. 1t was cool in the shade of
the rock and ] enjoyed it. 1 noticed
funny piece of quartz in the rock,
and took out my knife to see if I
could pry it out. In doing so I
pulled out II coin and it struck the
rock and bounded into the water. l
could see it as it zigzagged through
the water. A fish chased after it,
and for moment I 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. "I
knew it vas a nickel, as | had but II
cents and II bridge ticket when I
left New York, and when I counted
my money out on that rock l had
only six cents. That proved it was
a nickel; and besides, it looked like
q nickel. I went"
"You know what a nickel looks
like all right" said Mr.. Kent. eco 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 il as plain as | see you. 1t was
in about ten feet of water. I went
ashore and cut pole about 16 feet
long. trimmed it ND 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 I could reach it. 1t was slow
work. Sometimes would poke it
into the sand. and one time ] was
sure it was lost, but T dug it up
again. At last T got it around to the
other side of the rock. but was
astonished to find that the water
was five feet deep there. Then I
thought of the tide! jumped to
the other side. To my horror saw
that the water was three feet over
the place l had crossed, and was
running Ike millrace!"
did you get the nickel?" asked
Mr.. Kent.
NO" said Mr.. Pence sadly. "An
eddy of water whirlcd the sand over
it while was away. put my hand
kerchief on the pole and waved for
help. In my excitement I dropped
the pole and it floated away with my
handkerchief. The tide kept on ris-
ing until l could not stay on that
side of the rock, so I went to the
place where you found me- l 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. Simor." 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"
NJ. Pence looked at the millionaire
operator doubtfully but said nothing.
He reached into his pocket, produced
the six pennies and the red bridge
ticket. and went to his room where
he placed them in the inner reccsses
of drawer.
During the absence of the relief
committee Mr.. Kent dressed the deer
with much deftncss, and Mr.. Haven
had. after some trouble, prepared
three of the birds for the roasting
pan. The range glowcd with heat
and Sidney aided in the preparation
of a dinner which had much of prom.
Use. The explorers had brough, back
two dozen bananas. and these graced