Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-31
CHAPTER III-Continued.


1.-The boat" affirmed Quain. too dis
couraged for the obvious retort ungra-
cious. He stopped and caught up a
frayed end Of rope. exhibiting 1t In Wit
ness to his statement. "Ain't it h-n?
he inquired, plaintively.
Amber's gaze followed the rope. the
further end Of which was rove through
the ring of a small grapnel anchor nall
buried in the spongy earth. Cone. he
echoed, dismally.
Gone away from here" said Quain
deliberately. nodding at the ropes end
THE tide fioated her off. Of course. but
how this happened is beyond me-
could kill Antoine" He named the Por-
tuguese laborer charged with the care OF
the boats at Tanglewood. ITS his jot
to see that these cables are replaced
when they show signs of wear" He cas-,
the rope from him In disdain and wheeled
to stare baywards. THERE he cried
leveling an arm to indicate a dark and
fleeing shadow upon the storm-whippeo
waters. There she goes-not three hun
dred feet off. 1t can't be five minutes
since she worked loose. 1 don't see
why II 1t hadn't been for that
ID cartridge - It's the DEVILS
own luck!'
A blur OF snow swept poIWeeIi uodt
shore; when it had passed the former
was all but indistinguishable. From a
full heart Quain blasphemed fiuently.
"But if she holds as she stands.
he amended. quickly. his fndomitable
spirit fostering the fOrlorn hope. shell
20 aground in another five minutes-and
/ know just where. I'll go after her.
The deuce you will, How?'
There's an old skinny up the shore
a ways" Already Quain was moving of
hnr
ing. Daresay she leaks like sieve. but
at worst the waters pretty shoal inshore
herea bouts
cold comfort in that
Better than none. you amiable-
Can you SWIM Amber demanded
Like a Ash. And you?"
mot like fish"
"D-n." Quain brought up short with
a shin barked against thwart OF the
rowboat he had been seeking. and i'll rec
ognition Of the mishap literally insulted
his luck.
Amber, knowing that his hurt was as
inconsiderable as his ill-temper, which
was more than half-feigned to mask ms
anxiety. laughed quietly, meanwhile In
speeding their find with a critical eye.
You don't seriously mean to put off in
this crazy hencoop. do you?' he asked.
Just precisely that. It's the only
way
IT'S simple madness. won't
You don't want to stay here all night.
do your
mo. but
We'll, then, lend us a hand and don't
stand there grumbIing. Be thankful for
what you've got. which is me and my
enterprise"
"Oh, all right
Together they put their shoulders to the
bows of the old, fat-bottomed rowboat.
with incredible exertions uprooting 1t
from it's ancient bed. and Mt length had
II afioat.
Painting Quain mopped his forehead
with a handkerchief much the worse for
a days association with gun grease. and
peered beneath his hand into the murk
that yelled the bay.
There she is he declared, confident
ly aground. He pointed. I'll fetch
up with her in no time"
But Amber could see nothing in the
least resembling the catbOat. and said so
with decision.
shes there. all right" insisted Quain
faint my fault If you're blind. Here,
hold this. will you. while find me a pole
Of some sort He thrust into Amber's
hand an end Of rotten painter at which
the rowboat strained, and wandered of
into the night. in the course Of time re-
turning with an old eel-pot stake. flotsam
OF some summer storm. Pure, bull
headed luck" he crowed, jubilant BRAN
dishing his trophy. and jumped into the
boat: Now sit tight till / come back?
. Huh-hat?'
I'm coming. too" Amber repeated.
quietly.
'.rhe hill you are! D'you want to sink