New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-26

here; vel do better beyond tn, island"
There further Yords-hc passenger straning
to lessen the distance by the force of his viii, the
old Waterman simply ebert. giving his wheel
turn this way that, taking advantage of every
Vagarv of the current.
Away off from the left somewhere came the deadened
sounding whistle of a working her way into
the harbor i'll the distance doomed the bell of
the island; and everywhere and all around the
silent black Smothered into sullen rcstlessness
by the rain that less than RAM more than a
mist.
We're halfway" The passenger let the words
from between his set lips if he could hold them
back no longer
Yes and gaining now We're out of the worst of
the current. said the Captain.
The man shot him questioning glance then esti-
mated the distance again.
They came opposite the bell the island, and ID
changed its warning brazenly, thunderottsly. and
the light above the bell strcamed out scintiating
beam that fought with the mixed elements and partly
overCame them
1--WE are nearer" said the man. Were coming
up. But, blazcs. how Slow They'll be in before we
get there They'll bc in before catch them Sayl"
he exclaimed hoarscy.
But Captain Moran answered never word. but
kept his eye only on the great bulk of the ferry
steamer in front
They were nearer. without doubt; but there YET
nearly third of the way to go Though the Cap
said nothing appeared to feel nothing, the wrin
kcs drew from the leathery skin about his eyes
bit and the muscles punched his jaws. They
doubt for they could hear the splash of the big side
wheels now. Then. a little more, they felt the
effects Of the great swell from the steamer. The
little launch the of waves when the men
could make out the lowermoSt lights i'll the steamers
hold then they sank into the trough till only glimpse
of a single light would show.
Abruptly the passenger turned TO the waterman.
putting a hand his shoulder, digging his fingers
into the rock-likc flesh You'll do it," he said
You re my of mani
DO you to board herr" asked the Captain.
The passenger hesitated Run her close" he
finally said BE guided by circumstances. Leave
the me
They were passing the end of the long wharf now.
few minutes and the steamer would be gliding
into her slip; but the launch was only little way
behind catching up.
Close, mind YOU, adrnoniShed the man. Then he
slipped out on the deck and the extreme of the
bow where he stood. misty figure blending III with
the rain and the night
They were closer the ferry now, coming up with
il rapidly for the larger boat had diminished its
speed. preparatory making the slip. Captain
Moran kept the Flyer her best Only twenty
feet between the two boats the smaller gaining
in two minutes the launch would shove her
under the ferrvs ovcrhanging deck. The commotion
of the water tossed the launch around viciously.
The old Waterman kept his eye the man IN the
bow. He could that the passengers who happened
to be on the lower deck had hurried to the chain and
were leaning over, gesticulating, waving the small
craft off
The man in the bow could have climbed aboard now.
for the big steamer had slowed Instead, he searched
the deck below then the above; then he put his
fingers to his lips and -whistcd There a stir
the upper deck: a running to the rail.
"Hclcn'" The in the bow shouted the name
commandngly The called something in
swer unintcllgbe the Captain; then she vanished