Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-06-26

she couldn't avoid she crawled over
until she struck deep. water on the
other side. She struck the fog ut Fort
Hamilton. and then the anxious artist
asked:
Captain. isn't this going to make 1t
difficult for us 10 find the house boat?'
Not at all. my son-not at ALL" was
the confident reply. Il told you we
should have a fog. but tint it 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 l
want her to hit house boat called the
Colony Damned. and she'll do 1t or
never look me In the face again.
The Colonial Dame is the name OF
the boat corrected the artist.
sWell, | got near enough to 1t for
the schooner to understand what is
wanted. You just enjoy yourself and
don't worry. Lord. but | wish you
really knowed what a nose this craft
has got for smellin' 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. l left 1t all
to Sal, and what did she do? Why,
she smelled her way along and went
ashore 50 high and dry that got off
without victim my feet. Show me
another craft that can do the trick.
No, sir, You needn't worry one least
bit. I'll hit that house boat inside Of
another hour If the wind holds.
Aboard the Colonial Dame all had
gone well. She had been towed down
to the bay and anchored The sculptor
felt that the game was in his hands
and was determined to win. He
counted on moonlight night, ripping
waters, wavelets softly tunking 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 at 10 cents
each. The fog came and blotted out
the moonlight. 1t was too damp to
sit ON deck, and the artists sister ac-
companied them down in the cabin,
and his suit did not advance. At 10
o'clock the house boat rocked silently
on the waters with all on board retired.
At about that hour also the captain of
the Merry Sal was saying to Harold
Strong as they walked the quarterback
together:
Eyes, sir, the Sal has got nose on
her, and there is really no use for me
to carry n compass. I've told her to
smell out that ere boat of yours, and
she's a-doin' it, I'm reckonin' she'll
hit 1t within fifteen minits Why, /
could turn in right now and feel that il
that boat Of yours Is anywhere on Prin-
cess bay the Sal would hit her with
in
The Sal hit her. Whether she was
guided by Providence, the Iunkhead of
a young man or by her nose may never
be known, but as matter of fact she
suddenly crashed into the Colonial
Dame and cut her down to 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 We're 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 magnanimously extended saving
hand to his rival and TO his future
mother-in-Iaw. 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.
told you the Sal had nose on her and
would hit this ere house boat in the
darkest night. and you see am a mari
ner who speaks the truth. Good night
all. Take the Merry Sal when you
want a schooner with smeller on
her"