Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-07-08
Partners OF
the Tide.
go. By.
JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Author q "Cap'n Err
CHAPTER XX-CONTINUED

BRAD, Sam says the gov'ment
weather folks are foretellln' big
storm for day after tomorrer. It's
comm from the south and II strike
here about then. It's terror, they
say 1t worries me. I'm more scarf
Of gale of wind jest now than l 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-"
"He's 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 for2
Here's the gov'ment weather sharp
smellin' out gale, an you amt peeped.
You'll have to put specs on your Sec
ond sight or Wen ship a new prophet.
one or t'other."
Mr.. Myrck was troubled. Now,
Cap'n e." he protested in an aggriev-
ed tone, "ain't l 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."
"Humph. Brad. this is the devil and
all, isn't it? That'll do. Peeg."
But Capn Ez, there's somethin
else wanted to tell you. T.
"Never mind now. Put it on ice
Ctr
Peleg got" but with reluctance.
He kept looking back and shaking h.s
head. Captain Ezra's face was very
solemn. His forehead wrinkled, ana
he pulled his mustache neryous!y.
"By crimustee"' he muttercd I'VE
have got to do somethln quick. VI
know you don't take any stock In
Peleg, but II that gale does come were
knocked higher n the main truck
She's loosenin' up SO now that tug
might help us. | can git little one
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 see
the bank folks. I'll tell 'em that If
they ever hope to git back the rest Of
the money they lent on the Divin' Belle
they must risk enough to pay for that
tug. I'm goin' now"
But you've been up all night. Let.
me 60 You turn in"
Turn in be burned. I'd sleep about
as sound as an eel on perch hook.
can turn in when l can't do anything
else. Goodby. Put in your spare time
prayin' for me, will you?"
He went to Wellmouth, saw the peo.
pie at the bank and, as he said, talk
ed from his boots up" At IL o'clock
of the following day the little tug put
in an appearance. She got grip on
the Freedoms bow and pulled with the
tide.
The expected gale did not come that
day, but the next afternoon the sky
was overcast, and the sun disappeared
behind angry clouds. 1t was blowing
fresh when Bradley, worn out, went
to his berth at 8 o'clock. He had
fought against going at all, but Cap
tain Titcomb said: "Put in an hour or
two anyway. I'll call you If you're
He called him before the second hour
was up. "Come on deck, Bradw he
cried eXcitedly. "That sou'easters on
the road, and it's backin' up the big
gest tide ever I saw. 'Tain't high
water till 2, but she's pretty nigh as
nigh as usual now"
The Junior partner hurried on deck.
The wind was singing in the rigging,
md the waves were rushing past the
barge, slapping furiously at her as
hey passed. The night was dead
black, and the surf on thOocean side
If the Point doomed like heavy artil-
cry. .
"Ive sent ashore for the day shift"
'aid the captain. "We've got to make
,ur fight now. Looks as If twas our
asst chance, and mighty slim one"
The dores brought the tired men
rom the beach. They had worked
lard all day, but they were ready to
work still harder now. They realized
hat, one way or another, this was the
end of the big job.
The little tug, bouncing up and down
IN the waves, was throwing her whole
weight on the tow line Alvin Bearse
stood by the donkey engine ready to
AXE in every inch of the cable. The
partners were in the bow. The bucketsI
we're flying from the hold.
"She gained a heap last tide" muir.
nured the captain. "This extry high
water and the waves ought to help
Ter like fun. But I'm 'fraid 'twon't be
,nough, and tomorrer the sou'easter II
and with both feet"
Waiting was the hardest thing. A
lalf hour seemed longer than an or
Iinary day. The wind gained in force
title by little. The tide crept up the
'arge's side. At l O'clock it was far
igher than 1t had ever reached before.
nd so powerful was its rush that the
uge hull quivered in its grasp. The
water, seen by the lanterns light, was
he color Of chocolate, streaked and
1arbled with lines and eddies of foam.
IA l