Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-22
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.

CHAPTER XIX.-Continued.
The light on Gay Head, throwing its
wavering. intermittent path across the
water, now shone over the starboard rail-
and, as we swung into Vineyard sound.
the heavy thunder of breakers doomed
suddenly in my ears. The long northern
line Of Martha's Vineyard opening out
over the quarter. glowed and shimmered
in one continuous ring of surf. Here a
sandy beach ran down into phosphor-
escent smother Of foam: there. where the
rocks stood out more boldly, vivid patches
of white leaped out of the darkness, and
fell and leaped again; and. dominating it
all with it's crash and tumble. there rose
the never-ending voice of the sea. Then
as we drew out across the sound, the
noises died away, the ghost-shapes van
ished, and of the tumult only the merry
chatter of the water under our forefoot
remained. So quickly had it come, %
quickly passed. that it seemed like the
momentary vision of a dream.
We had changed our course. and were
headin" in a northeasterly direction to-
ward the pin prick Of light on the horizon
winch marked Tarpaulin cove. The sup
posed line of route which the yacht would
follow had been reached. Bailey. APP
pearing from the hatchway. crept for
ward to his old post of lookout. Mr..
Hayward and Anderson, each armed with
a glass, patrolled the stern. A sense of
restrained excitement seemed suddenly to
pervade the vessel. l shook myself out
of half doze. and. brushing the sleep
from my eyes. scrambled to my feet.
The shore line behind us had faded from
view. Over the port bow the red and
green lights of coasting schooner bob
bed and danced in the middle distance.
and beyond l could dimly make out the
black hull Of a steamer. going westward.
but, except for these, the sound was free
of boats.
We held on, we'll under the lee of the
until the light on Nobska point was
abeam 1t was now about in the morn
ing.
NO CO." Mr.. Hayward muttered.
Swing her back, Wadsworth."
And the vessel. responding quickly to
her rudder, swept about in wide circle,
and began to retrace her course.
We left Nobska point far behind US,
passed the flare at Tarpaulin cove, skirted
the Lucas shoals, and, off Nashawena
Island. again overhauled the working
schooner. Her helmsman bawled at us
as we brushed by. But we kept on ST.
lently. pushing out into the open sea,
until the broad CLEAN of Gay Head reap
peared to port.
Then, as we turned once more, there
d HI.
vague yellow glow seemed to well up out
of the velvety blackness of the water: a
touch OF color ran along the eastern
horizon. and the Opaque darkness was
suddenly broken into a myriad particles
of light. The wind, dropping perceptibly,
drifted in over the quarter. laden with
the fresh earthly smell of the dawn.
Mr.. Hayward lowered his glasses with
peevish gesture. Its all up for to-
night. She has either been delayed. or
We've missed her. Put in at Casey's,'' he
called to Wadsworth. We'll see what
he has to say
The boat, veering south. headed for the
dim coastline of Martha's Vineyard. and.
as we went, the eastern heavens seemed
to become alive with flame. a pink flush
glowed in the trail of saffron which
streaked the lower horizon, and behind
and above 1t long rosy fingers of light
reached into the blue.
Bit by bit, as the dawn colors deepened,
the cloak of mist dropped away from the
shores which we were approaching, and
Gray points of rock dipped into the golden
waters: little tidal river sparkled and
gurgled over it's shadows, and. as we
swept toward land, a flock of gulls, rising
before us. wheeled in a flash of dazzling
white across the sky. Then tiny cove,
with weather-beaten cottage set upon
the green slopes behind it, EMBODIED us in
its embrace; and in the sudden silence,
while we foated up to the rough pier
head, the morning broke in a flood of sun
light upon the world.
Mr.. Hayward's voice struck a Earring
note in the quiet beauty of the scene.
Make her fast Bailey. Well probably
spend the day here. I'll be back in a few
minutes And clambering up the rude
ladder Of the pierhead, he strobe along
the loose plarking to the shore.
We watched him climb the ill-kept path
beyond and halt before the cottage. There
was an instant's pause. then the door
opened and the frowsy head Of a woman
Mr.. Hayward said few words
to her. She smiled toothless smile in
answer. The door opened wider and the
old man stepped within.
Whose house is that?'' I asked Ander-
son. who was standing beside me.
"Casey's."
II know, but
well. that's all you're goin' to know"
he cut in sharply. swinging on his heel.
But his words only served to pique my
curiosity. | turned to Pierre. who had
just emerged from the hatchway.
Who's Casey?''
s."
What sort of friend?''
IA business frien-p'rhaps.
"Ah, j see. A dealer in jewelry-and
other knickknacks?''
Pierre shrugged. "Breakfas is ready"
ton needed no reply.
But l had discovered one thing which
had long puzzled me-the channel through
which Mr.. Hayward disposed of his taxi
ings And. as ] followed the others down
into the cabin. l wondered at my stupid
ity in not thinking of some such arrange
ment before.
A savory dish of bacon and eggs stood
invittngly upon the table, and the pungent
odor of fresh coffee hung heavily in the
air. We ate with the voracious appetites
Of men who had tasted since shutdown,
while the Frenchman, lowering over a lit
tie oil stove in one corner, kept our plates
supplied. But in spite of hunger, l was
of a sense of anxious attention
among the men; and now and then when
there came lull in the clatter Of dishes,
some one would raise his head and listen
as though for approaching foot
steps. But it was not until the meal was
almost over that the old man returned
Its all right. boys" he CRIED cheerily,
still half way down the ladder Some
thing went wrong with the yachts ma
chinery and she put into New Bedford for
repairs. She's due to leave at 10 tonight.
SO we have an easy day before u.s.
Casey's keeping guard" He looked over
at me. you'd better get your beauty
sleep while you can. Mr.. Renfrew."
Il think / could sleep till doomsday,"
yawned.
He laughed. I'll see that you're walked
before that
There We're few moments of desultory
Then. one by one we
turned into the narrow hunks which lined
he ga r = Ia nd TO Rni