The Bowbells tribune., 1904-11-11
CHAPTER X.

& CHAPTER X.
On Tuesday mornings MIR. Leife was
accustomed to call at the vicaragc to
present kind of report of parish
work On this particular Tuesday
the first in October-the report was
very brief.
|. sIt's strange thing said DR..
Champion. looking at a newsletter on
his desk, "what number Of mishaps
there have been lately. really don't
remember such season for them"
"Not only here" returned the curate,
bGt all round the coast. In fact, the
men say it's been worse around Brix.
ham and that coast. Perhaps it may
do some good in one way. They've
been going a bit too far-t wonder the
revenue men haven't caught them
".Ah, it's bad business" said the
vicar. land pressed them. suppose,
as far as Whayre itself is concerned,
wo have been very Fortunate
"Deveril's body was picked up off
tho Cruddle, you know. few months
ago. and he had couple of bullets in
him, poor fellow"
"Ah. yes, 1 forgot. They're sure to
show fight. Are they at their old
games still?"
"Unless I'm very much mistaken,
they are getting ready for something
rather big"
"Ah, it's bod business" said the
vicar; "but you really can't wonder,
the temptation is too great. I hope
there won't be any serious trouble"
Il hope not, but it's new moon. and
the first dirty night some of the boats
will be out. or in. I'm pretty sure"
"By the by. Leife, ;" said the vicar.
changing the subject and taking from
a drawer letter. "you were at West
minister. weren't you?''
eyes, was"
did you happen to know a lad
called Cowper? l fancy he must have
been there about your time"
"Cowper-Cowper." ruminated the
curate: why, yes. to be sure I do.
Tom-no-Will-W Cowper, of
course; one of my best fights was
over him. He was a smart boy, and
q fine Gttle footballer. but he used to
.,6l I'D and cry like girl. and some of
the bigger ones used to lead him such
a life. There was one in particular
/ forget his name-a big. heavy fell
low, with black hair. and ink stains az.
ways on his face. He and had an
argument over Cowper and after that
he stopped. Why. sir. do you know :
anything about him? I'd like to see
him again."
"Only this" said the vicar; "herc's
some of his verse. sent me by friend
of his and an old crony of mine, and
if I'm any judge at all it's about the
best written since DR.. Goldsmith
died." !
"Why, yes," exclaimed Mr.. Leifc,
who was quite excited. II remember
he used to scribble at school; he's got
a very pretty wit. too, and he used to
him!"
81 don't think there's much fear Of
.y.yr doing that. il I'm right about his
poetry," remarked DR.. Champion.
At that moment there was a conf
dent little tap at the door.
"Ah." cried the vicar, with smile.
Eve can guess who that is. mustn't
keep you any longer, or l shall get a
rating. Come In"
OF course it was Nell.
.I have a message for you from
Rufildge," said Mr.. Leife. "FIe has
made YOU a rod and line, and he will
row you out and give you lesson in
sea fishing any time you like"
i "Will you Gomez?
"Oh. certainly, ii you invite me-"
NO, fear about that laughed the
vicar. ''but mind you are back in good
time for dinner.
{ Fl It was lovely morning, the air
fresh with the wholesome tartness OF
the bright autumn. but the sun just
beginning to assert himself. The sea
1ooked even more bewitching than was
| it's wont. and It would be hard to say
which looked forward to the little ex-
oedition with the keener anticipation,
the.curate. .oF the 5madcap. at his side
They found Rualdge sitting ON the
shingle. smoking his pipe and leaning
his chin on his hand as he looked out
across the sea. Close beside him lay
boat, the water already tapping her
bows. He gave a start when the GU
/ rate touched his arm. and then imne-
diately saluted respectfully.
"Why. Rumdge." said Mr.. i1eife,
with laugh at the start, "that's more
\ like an old woman than bold sailor"
"sAh. sir" he returned. ..'yoY forget
that I'm getting on in yeafs There
was "a time when could-well-i
i could almost hear the cats walking on
Z the walls when was in bed ashore.
SCI .But they don't make any sound at
AL" protested Nell. who was inclined
esbe LITERAL, "and yon cant hear no l
lse."
ell. MISS answered Rufidge,
1a sailors in his prime, it's won
~ xx,hof ho can hnth Qpe and hear