The San Francisco call., 1904-07-10

Momentarily Ezekiel thought himself
IN the company OF the damned. He
locked in new fright at the water.
through which. his experience had
taught him, most men found their exit
from life.
"'Tis a sin." he cried. 't' say IT."
Sure, o. such be the kingdom O.
heaven" said 10. IN continued serenity.
maintaining his position with the word
OF the book.
"Iss, surei" Ezekiel was comfOrted.
The breakers seemed very near. 10
peered long into the tumultuous dark
ness ahead Soon they could hear the
hiss Of broken waves. 10 freed the
sheet and sprang for the mast. They
furled the sail and slowed the mast.
10 took his place in the shute; he pro-
PEELED the boat By the scull. Then
Ezekiers sight did not reach seven
oarlengths from the bow.
BE you sure"
you be not goain' Z hell. Ezekiel
sevior!" 10 exclaimed. lifting his voice
above the sound Of the surf. "Doan't
worry me-"
The boat was advancing slowly. for
the strength in the oar was slight.
They were secure for the time, and
they were not unused to the predica-
ment: but at such other times the oar
had been IN larger hands. the lookout
kept by more discerning eyes. They
thought the harbor tickle was ahead.
perchance some fathOms to the south
or to the north. The wind had con-
fused them utterly; the breakers were
not the breakers Of the Pillar and the
Staff, but Of the rocks OF the Three
Poor Sisters. But they were not per-
turbed. so they fell again into thought
and long silence; and for 10 thought
was the old. disquieting wonder.
Ezekiel" JOS voice was husky,
solemn; 1t had the thrill Of triumph In
It
'Tss, b'y7 Does you see the shoare?''
Ezekiel" 10 was exultant. like an
investigator who beholds In wonder the
beautiful issue OF his research.
'Tss?"
10 swung from side to side on ths
oar with vigor stimulated by his ex-
ultation-
IT knows-iss, sure" said he.
Where the tickle bet Does your
Where the tide goas."
where do un goa?" Ezekiel asked
In mournful Disappointment
10 pointed to the wash in the bottom
Of the boat as 1t slipped from stem 70
stern with the risen lop. Now the
waters covered the boys feet and
gurgled and hissed under the stern
seat: now they swirled to EzekiePs
boots. sweeping along a chip and
spare thole-pin.
"'Tis like the tide-'tis Ike uns.'' 10
whispered.
AYE, by, sure" said Ezekiel
IT found un out meself." 10 went on
solemnly. IT en- tell Job Luz now. He
thought un were a hoale." 10 laughed
softly. "'Tis noa hoale. 'Tis noa hill.
IT'S Ike that
Ezekiel watched the water sbb and
now. 10 watched the water sbb and
flow. Both were In the grip OF the
mystery-of the great solution which
had been yielded to them Of all the
world.
When it's ebb IN Ragged Harbor."
said 10, "'tis the food in-in other
PARTS"
The discovery had fascinated thar
attention. Lookout and headway were
forgotten
Where, b'y7'' said Ezekiel
Partridge Pint" 10 answered. read
Ily. What you sees from the Look
out IN fine time"
'It do be too handy; it"
'Twillingate. then. I low" said ia
Where Manuers trader comes from
'Tis further'n any place"
Ezekiel turned to resume the lookout
10 gloated in long. low chuckle.
'Porti Keep un OIL" The ring ef
terror was In the scream -Portf Porti~
AYE, by" firmly spoken
Ezekiel rose IN the bow and raised
his hands as though to push the boat
back from danger.
"Porti Port!"
AYE, by"
The Rock Of the Third Poor Sister
took black, towering form IN the mist.
before and overhead The punt paused
on the crest Of q declivity OF rushing
water. The white depths were Ike an
. abyss; she was like a man clingins to
! the fringe Of a precipics. 1t was a time
, for the strength OF men; IN that swift
, pause the strength OF q girls arms was
as no strength
> '.The sea,vs cotched u.s. 10 NUT
:, tered. The sea-he've cotchsd usi'
: The wave ran It's course. broke with
slow might, fell with crash and q
; long, thick hiss.
/, Ezekiel sank to the seat and covered
3 his eyes with his hands, but 10 dropped
J. the oar, and bearded the rock and the
: wave as he had done IN the days when
! he wore a pinafore Of hard-tack sack
3 ing, and he cIinched his hands, and his
nostrils quivered-
; THE sea-he've cotched me-" he said
$ again; and It was like a quiet adr1is-
! sion Of defeat at the hands Of long
4 fought enemy.
The returning body OF water slipped
like oil under the boat; It fastened It's
grip at the turn. lifted the boat. lost 1T.
caught It again. swept 1t with full
force onward and downward.
"Motherl"
: Ezekiel had forgotten his God. He
: cried for his mother, who was real and