The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-24

1t had wrought. the wind eased and a lull followed.
 I saw that I must get some sort of sail set. and. to divert Masita's thoughts from our danger. 1 asked her to help me. As the boat widowed and rocked in the trough of the sea. I ripped on with. my knife so much of the sail | as I dared to set and wrapping the l rest about the oar. 1 tied one end or the rope round it, and making the other fast in the bow. threw the sail overheard, to act as a drag anen1f | and keep the boat to the wind.
 Then I set to work to step the spar as a sort of jury mast flashing 1t as 1 securely as could to carry the three- 1 cornered rag of saik1 had made, and was fastening the ropes to this, when another squaIl struck us, neroer, wild er and longer than the worst we had had. But we weathered 1t successfully for the drag anchor served its purpose well and kept us head on throughout it.
 I judged that we could ride out the storm with it's help. and had I been certain of our position, would have | trusted to 1t alone. But l knew that | the tide was now setting strongly to ! the south and I feared that we should | be carried back to the island to be dashed to pieces on its rocky coast | I dared not run that risk. and de' cided to set the sail and run before the wind until we had passed the northern shore of the island.
 Taking advantage of the Hull, there- fore, drew in the drag anchor. hoist ed the rag of sail, and crept aft and took the tiller from Masita. waiting | for the next squall with dire forebod- ing in my heart lest sail and mast and | gear would all be blown clean out oi the boat NNa
 We ran steadily enough at first. but I l held my breath as I heard the squal come hissing up astern. The boat leapi l forward as it Struck us and we flew through the water at racing speed. The spar hent and creaked under the strain but 1t held; and drew deep breatf l of relief as the squall passed and we were still safe.
 Tn order to clear the island I point ed a course as northerly as l dared 1T such a wind, easing off and running straight before 1t. whenever squal struck us. At first, I strained my cart for the sound of breakers on tho shore; but when an hour or more pass ed knew that that danger was over and that we were heading straight fol the open sea-
 Not wishing to be carried too far out I had recourse to the drag anchor again. I lowered the sail and threw the oar overheard as before; and IT this way we drifted, weathering sue I cessfully squall after squall of increas | ing violence.
 All the tine Masita had shown un i daunted courage. She was very quiet speaking only at rare intervals ant then oniv to murmur some word ot confidence. encouragement, or hope. ! was hopeful also, now. The storm hat sprung up so quickly that the sea wal not dangerously high, and began tC be confident that the boat would ride out the gale.
 But the confidence was misplaced The rope which held the drag anchor was frayed by the pitching of the boa and In the final gust of a heavy squal it parted. the boat slowed around witl her broadside to the waves. and W,
 were again in peril of being capsized
 T riggede up the rag of sail again
 and let the boat run before. the gale
 which had now reached It's height. Tn
 slender spar bent omniously under tn,
 strain.3 but held for sorle hours. dur