Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-05-06
glass of brandy told the story of

glass OF brandy told the story of
his adventure.
81 went along the shore and kept
sharp 1ookout=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 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.
cit ran out from the shore like a
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. I noticed
a funny piece of quartz in the rock,
and took out my knife to see Il I
could pry it out. In doing so
pulled out coin and it struck the
rock and bounded into the water.
could see it as it zigzagged through
the water. A fish chased after it,
and for a moment 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 II
cents and bridge ticket when
left New York, and when I counted
my money out on that rock I had
a nickel; and besides, it looked like
a nickel. I went"
"You know what a nickel looks
like all right" said Mr.. Kent. $50 on
with your story. It 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 / see you. It was
in about ten feet of water. I went
ashore and cut a pole about 16 feet
long, trimmed it up nicely, and went
back. I 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. It was slow
work. Sometimes I would poke it
into the sand, and one time ] was
sure it was lost, but I dug it up
again. At last I 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! I jumped to
the other side. To my horror I saw
that the water was three feet over
the place I had crossed, and was
running like a millrace!"
did you get the nickel?" asked
Mr.. Kent.
No. said Mr.. Pence sadly. can
eddy of water whirled the sand over
it while was away. I put my hand
kerchief on the pole and waved for
help. In my excitement I dropped
the pole and it foated away with my
handkerchief. The tide kept on ris-
ing until I could not stay on that
side of the rock, so I went TO the
place where you found me. I ex-
pected every minute that an alligator,
or crocodile, or shark would come
along and get me. It 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
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 recesses
of a drawer.
During. the absence of the relief
committee Mr.. Kent dressed the deer
with much deftness, and Mr.. Haven
had, after some trouble, prepared
three of the birds for the roasting
pan. The range glowed with heat,
and Sidney aided in the preparation
of a dinner which had much of prom
Use. The explorers had brought back
two dozen bananas, and these graced
the table. Pawpaws were picked
from tree near the bungalow. In
about two hours the table was set,
with huge joint of roast venison
and Drowned potatoes as the piece
de resistance. This was fanked by
a grouse and the gold-breasted trufn-
peter, which had fallen before the
prowess of Mr.. Kent. Sidney had
essayed some baking powder bis
cults" and had attained culinary
triumph These served with ielIies,
some fine claret, and topped off with
bananas, pawpaws and coffee com
Pleted a dinner which will not be
forgotten by those who gathered
around the board in that tropical
bungalow.
CHAPTER XVII.