The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-01

"a
~o~ trable veil of radiant dust.
The swell of the great, Or
ange-colored moon could be plainly
seen, with some of those hazy veins
which scientists say are frost-cracks
in her cold surface. Every dune and
bit of wreckage on the broad bar stood
out distinctly in her light, and clump
of frowzy headed palms cast sharp
edged shadows on the sand. Those OF
two boys walking along the hard
packed beach below high-water mark
hobnobbed in front of them with a
friendliness which the youths them
selves were not feeling at that moment.
"Pick up your feet, Bud!' exclaimed
the elder, in a long-suffering voice.
"You squitter like girl in her first
long dress. Think we can catch any
thing with you making that squit-
squeak. squit-squeak" He initiated
with gross exaggeration the scufting
of his brothers sneakers"
II reckon I walk as we'll as you do:'
spluttered Bud" deeply irritated by
the others choice of SMILES.
John sighed in patient, virtuous
manner very difficult, to bear.
at doesn't look like you'd ever make
q hunter, Bud" he observed, with a
certain meek JUNCTION.
Bud halted instantly, straight and
defiant.
'I'll 60 by myself, then," he said,
"and bring back as many eggs as you
dor'
ooh, come on!'' said his brother, re-
lenting.
But Bud stood his ground obstinately.
'No. You're bossing, bossing all the
time. 1 pity Grace Aline if you get her,
that's ALL"
Grace Aline of the romantic name
was a most particular friend of Johns.
Twice a week he sailed his bluff-bowed
lugger across the three-mile stretch be-
tween the bar and the mainland, bring
ing an atmosphere Of salt md shyness
to the little house among the orange
trees. The imputation stung him to
the quick. He turned on his heel and
strobe off, his chin very high.
Huh grunted Bud, with the air OF
one superior to the soft passion.
Huh.
he watched his brother Until the tall
figure could no longer be seen. Then
he picked up his pail and stake and
started toward the shelf of the beach.
His lean, shrewd face was no longer
smiling. There was terrier-like con-
centration in it's expression and in the
forward thrust Of his head, and as he
zigzagged swiftly over the stretch of
loose sand his movements had much
of the nervous deftness Of that gamy
little animal.
AS he trotted back and forth his stick
tapped the sand like blind mans
staff. 1t had made perhaps hundred
little pecks, when presently Bud
checked, and lowering the stick as deli
cately as if pricking blister, drew it
up and inspected the tip. 1t was
gummy and glistening, and would have
offended most peoples noses.
"O-hor' chuckled Bud. ''Teach pei
ican to fish! Huh!'
With deft, followed hands he uncov-
cred the leathery eggs. In the moon
light they looked like fat milk pearls;
125 of them in two layers, with Wad-
ding of sand between. The clutch just
filed Buds pail, and he set it we'll
above high-water mark, and resumed
his quartering.
When he came to the point where
John had turned up from the slope of
the beach. he hesitated, considering the
chances of his brother having over
looked nest. To get ahead of him he
would have to walk at least half a
mile. The night was warm and wind
less. and he was sweating profusely
under his loose shirt. With sigh OF
resignation he threw himself down on
the sand, his face toward the sea
There had been no wind for several
DAYS. and the sea hardly stirred in its
sleep. Now and then its bosom lifted
in q slow breath that sent swell roll
ing in, to die upon the beach with q
drawn-out sigh. A film of stale, lrl
descent oil seemed to blanket the water
thinly,. Pickering and passing from
green to saffron and from saffron tt
rose as the tranquil heaving presented
new surfaces to the moonlight.
Right in the midst of this subduet
glitter and close in shore somethin:
black and wedge-shaped presently ap
peared. It came without Il ripple. lik'
the sodden rise of water-logged tim
ber. Then Bud saw it sink in the SAM
steaithy fashion. rs if it had withdraw
to weigh its estimate Of the proslec
in secret. Only few moments elapsed
however, before it reappeared neare
shore.
Bud lay as motionless as the sand ii
self. and the turtle. after a long an
wary inspection Of the beach, swiShe
through the shallow water and bega
70 ascend the SlODe