New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-27


that It'd be like selling the souls o all the Hunters
lying in Saint Cuthbert s..
A lattice rugged buoy danced past 10 leeward and
Peter in response 10 crisp cry from the helms
woman. Two other men appeared from the fore
castle and together they esed sheets till the schooner
was running free. Away ahead Adams saw a river
estuary some eight miles wide between its two most
seaward points and covered from shore 10 shore with
broken water vast field of spOuting breakers, re-
heved only by family darker streak which told Of
a navigable channel. Adams watched with fasci-
mated interest as the schooner entered it.
FearSone sort of place for a stranger TO hnd HIM
self straved into he said when Peter reOined him.
Sudden death once the keel touches in a westerly
breeze. Nobody but Ribble folk born an bred ever
come wi'out pilot, replied Peter
" The girl seems 10 know it well
BHndfold nearly. But all the Hunters do. It's
born wi EN-
They were blowing along an avenue of breaking
pillows that never straight for two hundred con-
secutive yards. Adams was intently watching the
movements of a smack some way ahead.
" Port port" he muttered in unconscious excite
ment. But the smack Ribble built and owned.
took acute turn To starboard, and Adams saw
Peters wondering eyes on him.
Should not the channel twist the other way
there,' he asked Curiously.
Peters curiosity was deeper. That years ago
he answered staring al the passenger. The sCOur
o. the ebb rubbed the corner off But it was long
afore your time Why, can only Just remember it,"
" must have read II. explained Adams with an
Gerry sensation.
& 5 a mellow chime Of three out TO them over
"A the water the breakers dropped astern and the
schooner drew opposite the harbOr point, whence
church clock looked at them across three hundred
yards of flat green turf
Saint Cuthbert' s. volunteered Peter. following
Adams gaze. What o the family aren't drowned
lie there" Then he jumped up to shorten sail.
They came 10 anchor almost within the shadow of
a windmills sails under which nestled a hfeboat
house. shore boat stole alongside which not
for the Hunters.
Il thought you'd mebbe like TO go ashore on your
own. explained Peter, dropping rope ladder.
Adams keenly appreciative of the delicate pro-
vision, thanked him and lifted one leg over the bull
warks. But there descended each shoulder a
respectful gTip. and two saaamng sailors wished to
do a mite toward earning the gold Peter had shared
Jacob ladders were dangerous to Oned feet
would he allow them TO assist As afterthought
prompted by a glimpse of Miss Bettys mildly con
temptuOus eyes he resigned himself To the brawny
arms. and no seasick tripper was ever helped down
vessels side more tendeTly.
At twilight that evening. after selecting diamond
paned hotel wherein anything above a whisper
seemed sacrilege Adams strolled TO the pier Now in
Ribblesands everybody knows everybody-who
lives there. But strangers intTuding aliens
SO much Adams realized after he had sat "A lonely
hour under pier lamp without receiving a second
glance from any OF the prOmenading thTOng and the
delicate mission that had brought him 10 the town
seemed 10 grow more delicate and difficult than ever
He was glad when the pier master, knowing the re-
serve of the natives came and sat by him out of
charity. They talked together of weather and ship
ping IN a aroma of Adams cigar smoke
Know the Hunters of this place" asked Adams
at last.
The pier master nodded an affirmative
Know their history. continued Adams or at
least that part of IL which He STONED in re-
abruptly Adams became aware that Miss Betty
Runter was standing over him with CLEAN of proud
resentment in her eyes
My name is Runter" she said chillinqIv Per
haps You will put any further questions about our
family history TO me. or tell me your Tor pry
ing into it,