Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-08-02

che couldn't avoid she crawled over
until she struck deep water on the
other side. She strSck the fog at Fort
Hamilton, and then the anxious artist
asked:
NCuntain isn't this going 10 make il
difficult for us to find the house boat -
Not at all, my son--not at all was
the confident reply Il told YOU we
should have Il fog. but that il would
make no difference. The Merry Sal is
a-sailin of herself She's a-follerin' of
her own nose. I've told her that 1
want her to hit house boat called the
Colony Damned, and she'll do Ii or
never look me in the face again"
THE Colonial Dame is the name of
the boat corrected the artist.
Wen, | got near enough to it for
the schooner 10 understand what is
wanted. You just enjoy yourself and
don't worry. Lord, but | wish YOU
really knowed what nose this craft
has got for smeilin' out other boats and
things, one night | was comm around
Sandy Hook in such darkness that
couldn't see my hand before my face.
| didn't know whether the Hook was
five rods or five miles off. | left Il all
10 Sal. and what did she do? Why.
she smeled her way along and went
ashore so high and dry that | got off
without victim my feet Show me
another craft that can do the tric.;.
No. sir, you needn't worry one least
bit, III hit that house boat inside OF
another hour II the wind holds"
Aboard the Colonial Dame all had
gone web she had been toved down
10 tho bay and anchored The sculptor
felt that the game was in his hands
and was determined to win. He
counted on a moonlight night. rippling
waters wavelets softly tunkng against
the sides of the boat poetry. signs and
the soft strain of music floating over
the waters from some summer resort
where sandwiches sold ut - cents
each. The fog came and blotted ont
the moonlight II WIS too damp to
sit on deck. and the artists sister ac-
comp Ihed them down in the cabin.
and his suit did not advance At 10
o'clock the house boat rocked silently
on the waters with al on board retired.
At about that hour also the captain of
the Merry Sal was saving to Harold
Strong rs they walked the quarterback
together:
Eyes, sir, the Sal has got nose on
her. and there is really no use for me
to carry q compass I've told her to
smell out that ere boat of yours. and
she's a-doin' it. I'm rcckonin' she'll
hit it within fifteen minits. WHY. I
could turn in right now and feel that if
that boat of yours is anywhere on rrin-
cess bay the Sal would hit her with
in"
The Sal hit her. Whether she was
guided by Providence. the lunkhead OF
4 young man or by Dor nose may never
be known, but as matter Of fact she
suddenly crashed into the Colonial
Dame and cut her down u the waters
edge.
There were shouts and screams and
yells of confusion. 1t seemed for a
moment as If all on board the house
boat must be drowned, but luck was
with them. The tide had gone out and
there were only three feet of water
under her keel. the crew of the Sal were
active on the bows of their craft, and
the artist went overheard at the first
crash and fished around until he found
the right party and then saved her in
sopping, but uninjured state. He
also magnanmously extended a saving
hand to his rival and to his future
mother-in-law. and as he piloted them
to the sandy Jersey beach and counted
heads to find all present and accounted
for he was hailed from the departing
schooner with:
''Well, good night, Young man. I
told you the Sal had q nose on her and
would hit this 'crc house boat in the
darkest night. and you see am mari |
ner who speaks the truth. Good night |
all. Take the Merry Sal when you
want a schooner with smeller on
her"