Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-05-10

NO, l lllllN lOty Si!U StlloilO <
I'D like to see the party that would
carry that cargo. Yes; You're right.
Where Hoods been we can go
If he has BEEN" said Sheppard.
Sercombe made no answer, but pull
ed the boat along the boom.
Its wood" he said, and l make
no doubt but it's old and tired. Any
how l think Hoods dinyey went
through this. l can find no break.
though
Let us put Il pace on the tub and
try" l suggested.
Sercombe whistled slowly. shes
not much of Il tub, l admit he said
obviously, but it's all we've got"
You are afraid of her splitting up!"
That's so, but, anyhow, lets risk it.
Drive, boys, when l give the word"
We backed III and pulled up the
stream, and l set her nose full ON.
Now said Sercombe, and the oars
struck the water together. With Il
signing, grooming noise the tub dipped
her snout into the water, and il hum
med about her sides.
Now. shouted Sercombe again. |
leaned forward to the stroke. and in
the next second the blow came. She
struck and staggered, recoiling and
shiyering in every beam. But Ser
combe, in the bows, who had been al
most precipitated into the stream,
cried out in triumph:
shes through; the boom's given
somewhere
That was true, as We found out I'M
mediately. for the current bore the
dingey down once more upon the log.
and with q rasping noise and a jerking
movement she slipped over.
It's lucky that the wood was rot
ten" said Sercombe. Il don't believe
our tub would have stood another
ounce"
Il think we must thank Hood, TOO"
l remarked.
'Oh, We'll thank him when We meet
him said Sercombe cheerfully. and
the sooner we pay u devoirs the bet
ter. SO lets buckle to-"
In spite of our objections Sercombe
insisted upon taking a hand with me
at the SOULS. He professed himself
quite we'll, said he had often suffered
from the same complaint and could
stand more Of it.
"a pin prick to the way they get at
your vitals in Sicily said he.
He certainly showed no signs Of ia
tigue or %faintness in his handling of
the oars, but rowed like a sailor-a lit
tie stiffiy, but with plenty of force, and
we cut the water at a fine pace. Pres
emily Sheppard, who had taken Ser
combe's place in the bows, tapped me
on the shoulder.
Here's the Ray, Ned" said he.
80 much for the first stage then"
said Sercombe, who heard him, and he
leaned on his oars. The current took
US with a gentle wash into the bosom
Of the larger stream. The clouds con-
gregated solemnly and, to my fancy,
with an aspect Of sullenness. The air
was still, and the sweat broke out on
the rowers. We changed again, and
under the fresh impulse the tub ran
down the Ray.
I'VE Mat pick them up any moment
now" Remarked S;ercombe, and l OBJ
served him. in the stern. loosen his coat
and fol II his pockets.
"Thc bo%r'S leaking said Mont
somcry in l.y ears. l stopped rowing
and rcpca'N' his words to the others.
Here was L dilemma. Scrcombe paid
no heed. H" was staring. as I could
just pcrcei"n-etAring out upon the
river over on heads.
do yoG see anything:' he asked
No n answered. him.
"Sc"T on 49, oars he commanded
and no !1lg"r recognized the soft
voice Of our Ok! cnclny. but something
stronger %Id i2yorio,.5. 1t sounded O
Chill" aad PERI. so ceased rowing
What 60 you hear" he inquired.
"Nothing," cal4c from Montgomery.
"lll trust your ears. lad" said Ser
combe. Drive on
The river opened wider. ana tho
banks fell away on either side. Slupine
softly UP TO great black heights. anG
now Il current from the sea cane hum.
ming over the river bar and met US
striking the tubs beak with Il dul
plash. She swung and twisted, groan
ing in her sides.
That's the estuary" said Montgom
cry.
Sercombe leaned forward. "Anc
we've not caught EN-" he said musing
~. Hood must have had a notion
Well, you see, he was bound to pusl
on"
Our changes had taken place will
p~unctuality, and now l lay across The
bows and had my ear to the channel.
The wind came up and blew gent,
about my face. "Good,' sighed Ser
combe, that's refreshing. | thought
should S%tifie."
Sheppard, who was Il yachtsman. cas-
q glance oVc his shoulders at tie hlacl
horizon. but he said nothing. The cur
rent thrObbed under the belly of tn,
boat, and she rose and fell upon III,
waves.
81 suppose we're out nowf' askec
Sercoa.bc.
Darkness; cnvlroncd us, and | coulc
see nothing forward or upon the left