The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-06-05

sy's anxious remarks that in the vii
lage the partners failure was regard
ed as foregone conclusion. The news
made him only more determined to
succeed
Cook & Sons wired daily, and every
afternoon report was sent to them.
These reports were growing more OPP
timistic. The barge was eating her
way steadily through the shoal, and
as she was lightened she moved faster.
They watched the cables as cat
watches rat hole, keeping them al
ways tight The captain said: BRAD,
If didn't know what was the matter
should b'lieve my old Sunday school
teacher was right. He always swore
I'd be hung some day. and now all
can dream about is ropes
The captains energy was something
wonderful. "A nervous man by nature.
he flew from one end of the Freedom
to the other, commanding, helping. hur-
rying. With the men he was always
cheerful and sure Of success, but once
in awhile, alone with his partner. he
showed his real feelings One morn
Ing before turning In he went ashore
to telephone. When he came back he
called Bradley aside and said:
"Brad, Sam says the gov'ment
weather folks are foretellin' big
storm for day after tomorrer. It's
comm from the south and II strike
here about then. It's a terror. they
say. 1t worries me. I'm more scarf
of gale of wind jest now than am
of the Old Harry himself"
The junior partner looked troubled.
Wonder if that's what's distressing
Peleg?" he observed. "Peleg has
been after me ever since the fire. Says
he's got something to tell me-"
Hes been pesterin' me too. ! amt
had no time to listen to his yarns.
Let's see him.
They sent for the weather prophet,
who appeared. dirtier than ever Look
here. Peleg." was the captains saluta-
ton. What do we feed you for?
Here's the gov'ment weather sharp
smellin' cut gale, an you amt peeped.
You'll have to put specs on your Sec
ond sight or wen ship new prophet.
one or t'other"
Mr.. Myrick was troubled. "Now.
! Cap'n Ez." he protested in an aggriev-
| ed tone, "ain't been tryin' to git at
| you or Brad for four days or more?
know there was blow comm. She's
comm a-bilin' too. And l don't need
no specs nuther."
'sHumph! Brad, this is the devil and
all. isn't it? That'll do. Peleg.'
But Cap'n Ez. there's somethin
else wanted to tell you. p
Never mind now. Put it on Ice
Ctr
Peleg "got," but with reluctance
He kept looking back and shaking his
head. Captain Ezra's face was very
/ solemn. His forehead wrinkled, anC
he pulled his mustache nervously.
| by crimusteep' he muttered. I'VE
have got to do somethin' quick.
know you don't take any stock IL
Peleg, but IL that gale does come we'r,
! knocked higher n the main truck
She's loosenin' up SO now that tut
might help us. can git little on,
from Vineyard Haven, skipper, en-
gineer and all. for $40 day"
'Bur they won't work on spec"
mo. I'm going to Wellmouth to SCI
the bank folks I'll tell 'em that i
they ever hope to git back the rest o
the money they lent on the Divin' Bell.
they must risk enough to pay for tina
tug. I'm goin' now"
But you've been up all night lie
me GO You turn In"
''Turn in be burned! I'd sleep abou
as sound as an eel on a perch hook
I can turn in when l can't do anythin,
else. Goodby Put in your spare tim,
prayin' for me, will your
He went to Wellmouth. saw the peo
pie at the bank and. as he said. talk
ed from his boots up" At II O'Clock
of the following day the little tug pu
in an appearance She got grip OF
the Freedoms bow and pulled with tn,
tide.
The expected gale did not come tina
day, but the next afternoon the SIX,
was overcast. and the sun disappeared
behind angry clouds. 1t was blowing
fresh when Bradley, worn out. wen
! to his berth at o'clock. He hat
fought against going at all, but Cap
tain Titcomb said: Put in an hour Of
/ two anyway. I'll call you if you're
wanted"
! He called him before the second houl
was up. Come on deck, BradT b,
cried excitedly. That sou'easter's OF
the road, and it's backin' up the big
| gest tide ever / saw. 'Tain't higf
water till 2. but she's pretty nigh a!
| high as usual now"
The Junior partner hurried on deck
| The wind was singing in the rigging
| and the waves were rushing past tn.
barge. slapping furiously at her a.
they passed. The night was q deai
black, and the surf on the ocean sidt
Of the Point doomed like heavy artil
lery.