The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-05-14

found, by the northerly headland thrust
westward of it's twin, but he quickly
discovered from the conformation Of
the land that the latter was really the
protecting cape of the inner waterway.
He reasoned, therefore, that the deep
water channel flowed close to the north
ern shore until it was flung off by the
relentless rocks to seek the easier in
let behind the opposite point.
He did not know yet whether the
ship was entering some unknown strait
or the mouth of narrow landlocked
bay. If the latter, the presence of
the distant glaciers and the nearer tor
rents warned him of possible bar on
which the Kansas might be lost within
sight of safe anchorage. Not inspired
guesswork now, but the skill of the
pilot, was needed. This crossing the
bar in broad daylight was as great a
trial of nerve in it's way as the earlier
onward rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated so sensibly
that the Pacific rollers raced on un-
broken, and it was no longer a super
human task to make ones voice heard
along the deck.
So the captain aroused Walker with
sharp order:
"Go and see if the donkey boiler has
q good head of steam. We may have
to drop the stream anchor quick and
both bowers as well. If TOllemache
is doing his work properly, 60 forward
and keep sharp lookout for broken
water. Clear off the tarpaulins. and
be ready to lower away the instant l
sing out"
Walker, who had been gazing spell
bound at the majestic haven opening
up before the ship. hurried on his er-
rand. He found Tollemache seated ON
an upturned bucket, in which the taci-
turn one had just washed his face and
hands.
"Have you seen it?' demanded
Walker gleefully. while his practiced
eyes took in the state of the gauges
as he overran a number of oil taps
with nimble fingers.
"Seen what?' asked Tollemache
without removing his pipe.
"The land, my bonny lad. We-ah
wunnin' wight in now"
"We've been doing that for hours"
Eyes, but this is diff'went. The'aw's
a fine wiv-ah ahead. Have ye ev-ah
seen the Tyne? Well. just shove
Sooth sheels an Tynemouth few hum
dred feet high-ah an you've got it.
Now, don't twy to talk or you might
cwack yo' face"
With this Parthian shaft of humOr
he vanished toward the forecastle,
whence the ubiquitous donkey boiler
through one Of it's long arms would
shoot forth the stOckless anchors at
the touch of lever. Tollemache, who
had already glimpsed the coast, stroll
ed out on deck and bent well over the
side in order to look more directly
ahead. He could see one-half only of
the view, but that sufficed.
"a respite" he growled to himself
''penal servitude instead of sudden
DEATH"
And indeed this was the true aspect
of things, as Courtenay discovered
when he had successfully brought the
ship past three ugly reefs and drop
ped anchor in the backwater of small
sheltered bay. He speedily abandoned
the half formed hope that the Kansas
might have run into an ocean water
way which communicated with Smyth
channel. The rampant of snow clad
hills had no break, while hasty scru-
tiny Of the chart showed him that the
eastern coast of Hanover island had
been thoroughly surveyed. Yet it was
not in human natdHe that he should
not experience a rush of Joy at the
thought that by his own efforts he had
saved his ship and some at least of
the lives intrusted to his care. he
was alone when the music of the
chains in the hawse pipes sounded in
his ears. The Kansas had plenty of
room to swing, but he thought it best
to moor her. Believing implicitly now
that he would yet bring his vessel in
to the Thames, he allowed her to be
carried round by the fast flowing tide
until her nose pointed seaward and
she lay In the comparatively still wa.