The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13

the sailboat danced and headed
UP the bay. The day was bright and
beautiful overhead, but off the Golden
gate there hung bank of clouds that
looked little angry, and now and then
little whirling pun Of wind crept up
and pounced upon the boat and made 1t
heel far over and rush forward with a
patch of foam beneath its bows.
The boys who formed the party were
all impatience to see the basket opened
and the pigeon started upon his home
ward trip, but his owner, being sure
that Red would have no trouble i'm
finding his way back 10 the loft, made
up his mihd that he would take him
just as far away as possible before set
ting him free. When the little bar
rem island known as Red rock was
reached the party decided to explote
1t, and the sailboat shot ashore The
sail was dropped aud tied up loosely
and the boat made fast to a boulder
that lay close to the waters edge
And then a gnawfng hunger seized
on every one the. lunch baskets came
forth and very busy time ensued
There was enough lunch for every one
and each -mouthful tasted better than
the last. - So busy were they that the
wind increased in violence without be-
ing noticed, and the storm clouds crept
through the Golden gate and widened
out into blanket above the waters of
the bay. White caps began to patch
the water to the westward, and sud-
denly the man who owned the boat
jumped up and with a startled ex-
clamation, pointed out across the water
where. drifting off before the rising
wind. the boat danced merrily upon the
little waves.
I'D like to know how she got loose,''
he said. II thought / tied her tight
enough to hold her, but it seems that I
didn't, and now we're, shipwrecked like
the Swiss Family Robinson, only not so
far away from home"
All of a sudden there came an inspi-
ration to Reds owner, and he fairly
shouted. 1--WE got it, we can send a
letter home by Red
This plan was received with instant
appreciation and finally after much ar
gument, letter was prepared. Writ
ten on thin tissue paper that had been
wrapped around sandwich it told that
the picnic party was stranded upon Red
rock, and asked that help be sent them,
and when it was all ready a strong
piece of linen thread was found with
I which the message was tied around
Reds leg, although he grumbled at it
and tried to Get away When every
thing was ready the boy who owned
him held him up against his cheek
minute and talked to him and then
with a sudden movement of his arm he
tossed him up into the air. without a
seconds pause the pigeon caught the
+ all with Stfou6 WlHS OcdtS ana rose III
circles that lifted him up swiftly until
he seemed no bigger than sparrow.
Then, as they watched him, he poised
and hung for just second while he
looked around
Below him spread the waters of the
bay. The ferry boats piled back and
forth across the water looking like
toy boats, even the battle ships seemed
mere playthings; but these things were
not what he was looking fora little
church tower with shining steeple
and a little house near by was what he
searched for. Then all OF sudden far
over the high buildings of the city and
beyond the hills he saw a place that
looked familiar and with wings that
fairly roared he flew straight there,
not pausing nor delaying for second,
but going as fast as wings could carry
him, messenger from the castaways.
with a letter telling of their trouble
and asking for help. With one long
swoop he swept down to the little
platform before his loft and as he
pushed his way inside the man who
owned the loft saw him and the piece
of paper on his leg
With gentle hand he picked him up
and smoothed his feathers and as he
read the note his face puckered up into
afrown. well, OF all thiDgs." he said.
Red came in pretty handy for the
picnic party; If it hadn't been for him
they would have had to camp on Red
rock perhaps all night"
Soon launch was speeding up the
bay toward the rock that held the pic
mic party, and when II came In sight
cheer went up for Red. who had
proved faithful to his trust and brought
them help. The trip back 10 the Mis-
sion wharf was rough and waves
dashed up around the launch but safe
landing was made and then Reds
owner took car and started home,
anxious TO tell his uncle all about the
trip and more than anxious to see how
Red had Jared II wouldn't take a hun
dred dollars for him" he said, when
he had told about the sail boat getting