Gilpin observer., 1910-03-10

once the sailing master went over the
side to examine the position of the
vessel. Forward the men were talk
ing about Toppin's discharge.
I'D hate to see him 60" said
Tommy. There amt many like him"
He won't CO." replied Mac, in con-
fident torer. You see that out there?"
All hands looked over the rail at
plume of black smoke.
That's a tugboat." he continued.
coming to tow us off. You can bet
there's a hard crowd aboard that boat.
and If they get a line on this craft
they'll pue IN a big claim for salvage,
whether we're pulled off or not. Top
pin. he knows that, and he won't allow
no tugboat captain to get near the
Rocket. New we've got to say that
we want the schooner towed off. Miss
Mary, she'll kick and go to Toppin.
and Toppin he'll come to us. You fol-
low me. boys"
Snyder and Tommy nodded their
heads. They had faith in Mac, be-
cause he was Toppin's right-han1 man.
When "oppin comes to US we1l
go to Miss Mary" pursued Mac. land
We'll say that unless she takes Toppin
back we'll take n line from that boat.
Amt that right?"
That's a good bluff" chuckled Sny-
der Il guess it oughter work"
In the afternoon as the sun moved
into the west, the tS1e began to lap
against the sides of the Rocket, gain
ing little more energy with each
minute. Twice a dingey had come
from the tugboat with offers of as
sistance, but the sailing master turned
it back without comment. The third
time the boat brought hawser, which
was paid out from the steamer. Top
pin stood at the rail with something
shining in his hand
I'll shoot the first man that boards
this schooner" he said, quietly. point
ing the revolver at the boat.
The dingey stood off for further
parley.
Mr.. Toppin." said Macs voice,
you'd better take that Jine. If you
don't we will
Who's in charge Of this ship?"
asked Toppin. hotly.
You are, but"
There amt no butts about it. Call
Miss Mary and call Snyder and
Tommy. Well settle this right now"
1t was the first time the crew had
ever maze trouble. and the sailing mas
ter took the mutiny as a personal re-
buke, because he knew his time of
service was short.
side Toppin.
I'VE want that schooner to tow US
Off" began Mac, and"
Toppln interrupted him.
Am | in charge still?" he asked
Mary.
Yes. until the end of your month" :"
she replied.
Then you men go forward and obey
orders. Are you going?"
Toppin raised his pistol hand.
There was a rustic of skirts and
Mary was standing with the muzzle
pointed at her head.
DON'T! she cried
The revolver came down slowly and
went into Toppin's pocket The sail
ing master looked ashamed of him
self.
Mac" he said, 81 always thought |
could trust you"
$50 you can" responded the seaman.
I'VE don't want to make no trouble,
and we'll float the Rocket without that
tug If Miss Mary'll agree to take you
back"
Toppin's eyes shone with gratitude,
then his voice grew hard.
Don't bring Miss Mary into this.
I'm working for the Rocket, not for
myself"
Mary felt all ber resolutions slip
ping away. The humiliation of the
position hurt her. yet she knew that
Toppin mad spoken the truth.
III do it, Mac" she said, and ran
directly to the cabin.
In her stateroom Mary buried her
face in the pillows of the little bunk.
Overhead she could hear hurrying foot.
steps. and the quiet voice of Toppin
giving orders to the men. There was
splash at the stern-the splash of
boat dropping into the water, which,
as Mary's sea training told her, was to
carry the light anchor and warp to be
used in pulling the schooner out OF
the mud.
Later the boat came back, and then
she heard the song of the men as they
walked the capstan-bars around. One
by one the links in the chain wound
over the windlass drum, and the
anchor which had been dropped the
night before came slowly out of its
muddy bed. AS the tide rose to the
flood the Rocket began to move. and
both warp and chain grew shorter.
The hoisting of the jib aroused Mary.
and, though 1t took much courage, she
came on deck, Walking up to Toppin
she put out her hand.
81 hope you will forgive me-" she