The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-16
Christmas on Shark ShoaI

BY HENRY C. ROWLAND

insisted on spending Christmas Day at
 home, so l am afraid that I will have to
 call upon Mir. Carlng, as l believe he is
 the only one in the party who can run the
 machine
 Lucky dog." said one of the duck
 shooters. Why didn't l take an elective
 course in gas engines senior year instead
 of psychology"'
 Probably because psychology was
 easier," suggested Mr. Carling "Have the bubble-boat ready for us at 1 o'clock sharp, Carling," ordered an
 other of the men who had looked more
 deeply into the matter.
 "Gh-what?" exclaimed Mr Carling
 with a startled look at Miss Chester.
 "Oh l forgot to speak of that' cried
 Miss Chester demurely. You don't mind
 taking the men out, do you, MT. Carling ?
 There is every indication of fine day
 and don't you adore a winter sunriseY' Christmas morning broke bright and clear, but with a suspicious banking of 1 heavy clouds to the northward Daylight found the duck hunters upon their allotted stands, and as Carling turned his speed 1 launch toward the club house the sun was creeping out of the sea, a great lurd, i disk of fire. There was something fever | sh and congested about it's appearance which aroused the sympathy of the young man.
 1 "Know just how you feel old chap" he observed. Must be an awful bore to have to break out at this unrghteous hour every day." He glanced about with the interest l of one enjoying a natural phenomenon. A ] faint breeze was stirring, which the high i speed of the launch converted into an icy blast as he drove straight into it. Glanc- | ing astern, Carling looked out through the 1 inlet and across the flat gray water to where on the horizon twinkled the twin 1 lights of the Shark Shoal lightship Far 1 to the southward fic<ered the intermit- tent flash of the Dogs Tooth. and on-the 1 eastern point of the entrance the red sector of the Tide-Trap Shoals glowed a | warning that paled as the lower rim Of the sun rested on the sea line. Suddenly, as he watched, all three lights expired, and almost at the same moment the swift sunlight touched with color all that had been but monotones of gray Really, it's not half bad" said Mir. Carling to himself rather surprised at ,, his enjoyment of the bleak sul>Qundings; nevertheless, he was glad when his | launch slipped up to the landing. for , there was a raw chill in the air which
 made the prospect of coffee and an egg | most attractive.
 When he accompanied Miss Chester to | the landing after luncheon, the character of the day had undergone a change. The 1 cloud bank in the northwest had coV- l cred half of the sky. and the air was scv- eral degrees colder
 Ut will snow before night" observed ] Carlng'
 "I think not" she replied; "t is too far south. suowstorm is rare down here.' Miss Chester seated herself; then, as 1 Carling was about to shove off, she | sprang to her feet.
 "I mean to bring my rine! she eN- claimed.
 "Its not worth while he replied dis couragingly. You could never hit duck from a boat like this; also loaded gun in a boat is dangerous combination. , Nne-tenths of the accidents--' ] You may lie down behind the engine when l shoot" replied Miss Chester | sharply. 'T wish to take my rifle, and l will ask Nou to wait until l get 1t | She stepped out of the launch and walked toward the club house while Car i ling, a flush on his high cheek bones, | rolled d cigarette and waited in silence. | A few minutes later Miss Chester re- turned carrying a small S2-calibre re- beating rife
 As the swift launch tore out of the little cove the exhleration of the motion ban
 ished the girls resentment and she