The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-11-09


timbers creaked and groaned under the
strain. the rigging whipped and whistled
in the wind. but the good ship managed
to stand up bravely and take her punish |
ment
Jonathan Peck succumbed to fear and |
terror. The wfld scene made him plead
where before he threatened, but Captain
Ezra was obdurate.
The night passed somehow, wild car
nivai Of storm and nasty weather. Tho
Betsy, under the careful handling OF tho
old skipper. held her own. but In the dawn
Of q new day she appeared bedraggled
and exhausted. The wind and waves had
subsidized somewhat and the fog had lifted
considerably when Jonathan Peck. pale
and weak kneed. stumbled on deck. A
CLEAN Of hope entered the bloodshot eyes
when he saw the subsiding storm.
''How near shore are we. captain7' he
asked abruptly.
Don't KNOW" was the blun reply. I'VE
amt headed that way. There's ship In
distress "a derelict. guess - an we're
p'inted toward her."
What for7'' stammered the owner in
surprise. "she's deserted and you can't
| save her!''
1--WE can get salvage money on her Of
We tow her ter port. She's mighty
good ship, reckon. Jest look fur yer
| self, Mr.. Peck"
Mr.. Peck looked and saw big three
| masted schooner that had not Jared SO
we'll as the Betsy. She appeared twice
tho size Of tho plucky little coaster.
you can't tow her to port In this storm,
| Captain Ezra" exclaimed Jonathan Peck.
| . new terror bulging out his eyes. TITS
| suicide. It's madness. downright idiocy"
| ut may be all that" calmly answered
! Captain Esra, but we'll try It. ! need
the salvage money. Mr.. Peck, an I'll get
IT. said the Betsy an me would have a
frisky time an we'd show ye what we
was made Of. We amt too old fur work
YET
In vain the irate owner stormed, threat
ened and pleaded. Captain Ezra kept the
Betsy pointed toward the drifting derelict.
Captain said the now thoroughly
cowed man of business. ''Captain"-and
the voice was husky-"how much salvage
money do you expect to get out of this?"
Captain Ezra continued to stare at the
schooner drifting toward them. Without
turning his head he said:
"Seein' she's SIGH a big one, an pretty
new at that, an not much damaged.
reckon my share would bout cover them
| mortgages on tho Betsy, with interest ter
date"
Jonathan Peck squirmed. He looked
from the captain to the derelict; He knew
the value Of the prize II once towed to
port, but he valued life. above money and
ships. After'a moment' Of hard breathing
he said:
It'll do 1t, captain"
Captain Ezra wheeled around sharply
and asked:
do whatr'
Cancel tho mortsasessif you'll sail d.
rect to the nearest port ond land me"
II aiu't asked ~ ter do that" snapped
the skipper. Them mortgages was given
by me in good faith. an I amt askin' nc
man to call EN- back. I can't pay EN-
but we've got tho Betsy, an a,es wurtf
'eua, every dollar"
'"Then what do you want?' stammeret
Captain Ezra took his time to answer
1t was light now n the sea. and his fac'
was illumined by a queer smile. He look
ed quietly at the man before him ant
; said:
Il jest want ter sail the Betsy as Ion,
as she'll hang tergether an then die will
her."
simply uttered, that made their impor
strangely effective. Jonathan Peck wa
silent q moment. Then he stepped nearer
Captain, Eve misjudged and misunder
: stood you," he had the honesty to say
= land I apologize for my past words.
\ promise you that the Betsy shall stay Il
, commission as long as she can sail an
| AAot aU OAAA04 SoUS0AA oman ~oAAAAAeSAA
= her"
Captain Ezra looked suspicious. ~
a mean it7'' he said slowly.
I'm promise ydN before tho crew an
, put It In writing"
"'Taint necessary. Mr.. Peck. TIL TAX
yer word fur It. wen go back now
= bort. Ye want ter reach New York,
.. reckon, soon 3 70 CAM
I ''Yes, but put ma into the ,nearest ha,
I bor."
Z THAT amt far OF, Mr.. Ptck-not 6
h far as We think" was the quiet rejoinde
: TITS gettin' lighter now. The fog's abo,
Il gone, an ye can see the shore"
r The dim outline Of land was visible Q
r, the port side. Captain Ezra pointed to
II and added: There's the Sandy Hoo
It light. Well reach 1t in a couple
l. hours"
$ Jonathan Peck started and looked II
?. credulous. The outlines OF the shol
r seemed to grow familiar. A smile plays
on his lips.
d "How far out of the harbor have v
d been. Captain Exra7'' he asked in a vol
Of humility.
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