Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-08

them At first Archie declared he
would not accompany them, as he very
strongly objected to being absent from
his school a single day, and as his
parents contemplated being away from
home three or four weeks, Archie was
opposed to going. But his mother ex-
planned that she would assist him with
his studies for two hours every day
and allow him as much time for study
as he desired. So Archie was thus
persuaded to go for the nice journey
and the taste of southern climate and a
sight of the wonderful scenery all along
the route.
Their destination was a small town
situated on the Gulf of Mexico, a town
where orange trees, lemon trees and
grape fruit trees grew on the streets,
and in the back yards. And all about
were tropical plants and flowers. And
the air was so soft and soothing that
for few days after the Laws ar
rival there Archie felt disinclined to
study preferring to wander leisurely
along the little bay, which lay between
the great swelling and restless gulf
and the lazy town.
81 feel as indolent as an alligator,
and want to do nothing but eat, sleep
and rest" laughed Archie one after
noon when his mother reminded him of
his lessons, telling him that he must
not allow himself to drop behind his
class. "But not being an alligator
guess I'd better refrain from following
their habits, so Til try getting at my
books again. However, books are
nuisance when ones basking in trop-
ical sunshine, eating tropical fruits
and enjoying tropical siestas several
times daily"
"Yes, I'm afraid my boy would drift
into a lazy fellow were he to remain
in this climate too long," said Mrs.
Laws "The reason the people down
here are so active and Industrious is
that they are accustomed to the eli
mate and do not feel it's tropical in
fiuences as we of the north do"
That evening after supper Archie
went for a stroll on the sandy beach
which stretched for several miles along
the snug, shallow bay. Stopping at
boat house he inquired the price Of
small row boat which was to be rented
by the hour. Archie had roWed boat
on a northern lake and found 1t great
sport. And he decided to try it on the
bay.
twenty-five cents an hour" was the
boathouse keepers reply, and Archie
felt in his pocket to see if he had the
amount. Yes, he had just quarter in
his purse, so he helped the boathouse
keeper to unite the boat and to push
1t into the deeper water near to where
it was moored. Then he sprang in and
took the oars and pushed out toward
deep water.
"Wen, it's a bit heavier to row In
the bav than in the little lake at
home" Archie unused as he tugged
right valiantIy at the oars, till the per-
spiration dropped from his temples.
'FBut this is the sort of thing to give
chap muscle all right, all right.
Think I'll row every evening while
we're here Won't surprise the boys
at home when return and show my
arms and shoulders? Gee, but rowing
is greati"
And on he swept through the water,
going toward the gulf. The boat house
keeper had warned him against the
gulf, telling him that 1t was not safe
for small boat with kid at the
oars" and told him to remain close to
the shore.
But Archie was venturesome and de-
cided to go as close to the waters of
the old gulf as he might dare, and for
that purpose he put straight out sea-
along the bay.
oWell. I reckon this must be the gulf
line" he said to himself as the waves
began to roll more perceptibly ana TO
cause his little boat to rise and fall
rather too much for comfort. "Yes, this
is the meeting place OF tHe pdy anu Tic
gulf and twenty rods on are hillows
bit too wild for me. How deep and
blue the gulf looks, while in the bay the
water is so pale and quiet, scarcely rip
pling. 1 must confess that the gulf
holds much attraction for me. like
something doing, ! do. The bay IS
pretty and gentle and so certain. If I
had thought to ask papa's consent to
go into 1t I would not hesitate to do so.
But I guess I'd better turn back now.
Besides, I've been out a good half hour,
and / mustn't keep the boat over time"
Then Archie began to turn the boat
homewards when a small object rising
and falling on the waters of the gulf
about half mile from where he was
rowing caught his attention. why.
that looks like man in the water" he
exclaimed, and steadied his boat as best
he could while he shaded his eyes from
the setting sun and looked intently to-
ward the object. "Sure as I'm foot
I.Ata