Evening star., 1908-02-04
CHAPTER Nv.
The Pig Race.

1 don't carlate that ever had a better
run down the bay than done that MORN
ing. Twas fair wind and a smooth sea-
not the slick. greasy kind. but with little
blue waves chasing each other and going
'Spat! spat!" under the Dora BaSsett's
quarter as she danced over 'em. And
that's just what she did-dance. There
want any hog-wallowing for her: she
just picked up her skirts. 50 to speak,
and tripped along--towing the little land
ing skif astern of her-like a sixteen
year-old girl going to surprise party.
An early July morning on the bay
down our way Is good enough for yours
truly, Solomon Pratt. Take 1t with the
wind and water like I've said; with the
salt smell from the marshes drifting out
from the shore. mixed up with the smell
in the stern Of a good boat with the tiller
In my hand and pipe in my face-well
all right! That's my natural life. and 1
don't need no book to tell me so. neither.
The Heavenlies enjoyed it, and they'd
ought to. Twas clear then, though it
got hazy over to the st'ard later on.
But then. as ! say. twas clear. and you
could see the schooners strung out on the
skyline. some full up. with their sails
shining white in the sun, and others
down over the edge. with only their
just as If somebody had dipped their
finger IN the bluing bottle and smouched
1T along the bottom of the sky. was the
Wapatomac shore. and away aft. right
over the stern was the Trunet light
house, like a white chalk mark on a
yellow fence, the fence being the high
sand bank behind it.
i The Twins laid back and soaked in the
scenery They unbuttoned their jackets
and took hong breaths. They actually
forgot to smoke, which was sort of
miracle, as you might say. and even
Hartley. who had been bluer than a
spoiled mackerel all the morning, braced
up and got real clipper. BY and by they
resurrected that book of theirs and had
I never see printing that went to a per-
sons head the way that book seemed to
go to theirs. / judged twas kind of light
and gassy reading, and naturally riz and
filled the empty places same as you'd fill
balloon.
Everybody was happy but Lord James.
and could see that he want easy in his
mind. He set about amidShips of the
cockpit and hung onto the thwart with
both hands. like he was afraid 'twould
bust loose and leave him adrift. If the
Dora Bassett had struck derelict or
something and gone down sudden I'll bet
they'd have dredged up that Hopper valet
and the thwart together. And then they d
| have had to pry 'em apart. His lordship
wa mt used to water, unless twas to mix
| with something else.
BY and by Hartley shoves both hands
| into his pockets. Tits his hat back and
begins to sing. More effects Of the nat
| ural life spree. I suppose. but twas bully
| good singing Might have been saying
most anything. calling me a shot lob
ster for what l know, cause twas some
| foreigners lingo. but the noise was all
right even if I did have to take chances
| on the words. 1 cal'late to know music
| when l hear it.
'Good!" says Van, when his chum
stopped. Martin, you're better already.
l haven't heard you sing for two years or
| more. The last time was at the De-
lanceys at home. Do you remember the
| dowager and my daughter? Heavens!
and my daughters piano playing! Agnes
told the dowager that she had never
heard anything like 1t. You and she
were together, you know. Give US an
other verse;"
But Martin wouldn't Shut up like a
clam and reached into his pocket for a
cigar.
THAT was A No. 1. Mr.. Hartley says
play the fiddle; you'd appreciate it,
Van he roared and even Hartley man.
aged to smile. AS for Lord James, he
looked at me like I'd trod on the queen 8
corns.
Blessed If could see what there was
funny about 1t. Solon can play like an
Injun. Why. I've seen him bust two
strings at a Thanksgiving ball and then
play Mrs. McLeods Reel'-you know,
"Buckshee, nanny goat. brown bread and
beans"-on t'Other two, till there want
still foot in the hall.
'CTo be continued tomorrow.)