The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1911-12-22
CHAPTER lv.-(conttnued.)

ing doubt, Coast followed. He was
not wholly satisfied that there was
any wisdom latent in this latest freak
Of his errant fancies. For a fortnight
he had given impulse its head. and so,
docile to its aimless divagations, had
found contentment of sort--more
parody than the real thing; dream
less rest won through wholesome
bodily fatigue, waking distraction
bred Of constant change of scene; thin
Ice over the troubled deeps of heart
embittered. Eastward from New
York he had wandered, mostly afoot,
unknown, unrecognized, Warburton
alone cognizant of his movements.
and that under strict injunction of ST.
lence; thus he had come blindly, seek
ing surcease of his distemper, finding
only the oblivion of fatigue. And re-
Gently he had become uneasily con-
scious that even that was losing its
effect, as an opiate will in frame
too long habituated to Its action; now
and again the thought of Katherine
and Blackstock would crawl in his
mind, vigorous, poisoning the very
sunlight.
Here, without presage, he found his
whim aiming for salt water. Was he
wise to humor it? Would he find
healing in the swing of the seas. the
SAVIOR of spray, the hiss of waters
broken by plunging bows. the gurgle
astern?
Huxtable led him directly to lit
tie vessel in cradle on the ways and
bright with new paint The Echo"
be introduced her: five year old,
weather-wise, sound and sweet, fast
and able. Owner left her with me for
sale. Seven hundred and bargain.
Coast strolled round the boat with
an eye critical of her lines, then
clambered up the skeleton ribs of the
cradle and dropping into her cockpit,
verifying Huxtable's catalogue of at
fractions. Presently he climbed
down again, impressed that the boat
would probably justify it's recommen-
dation to the letter.
When can you put her in the wa
ter?"
I'm fifteen minutes"
do so, then, please, and have the
gasoline tanks filled and the batteries
wired up. I'll want these be-
Sides" He found pencil and scrap
Of paper and scrubbed list of sup
plies, You've a spare moor
ing off here?" he inquired, and re-
ceived an affirmative. Then put her
off; I'll sleep aboard her tonight.
Now I'll take turn up town and buy
provisions and things"
He fitted out without thought OF
economy: in the list of his acquisi-
tons he could find no lack: by night
fall the Echo was furnished with
everything that Coast could think of
as essential or desirable for coast
wise cruise. whether brief or pro-
tracted.
There was no plausible excuse for
his failing to sleep; the Echo rode
without much perceptible motion,
moored about hundred yards off
shore; waters whispered somnolently
04OAA6oAAOS SAS IOWA Wd0 Au40I. Let
slumber was denied him; an unwont-
ed excitement sparkled his imagina-
ton, kindled by sense OF adventure
distilled from tomorrow's promise.
At five bells he rose and went on
deck to smoke, his trouble heavy upon
him. The cockpit was not more
drenched with moonlight than with
dew. but the air was motionless and
suave; in pyjamas and slippers, lol-
ling upon the dry side of an over
turned seat cushion, he felt no need
of heavier clothing.
Presently a breath Of air stirred
teebly; catspaws darkened the silver:
signing, the air died; the fiawed sur
face of the harbor smoothed and
frightened. Then again the breeze
famed up out Of the northwest, vacil.
liant; advancing. languishing; waxing
gradually IN volume until 1t. blew full
and free. -.As1l jt.
Coast shrugged to the chill and
rose to 80 below, but paused. attracted
by . stir Of lie aboard q small. jtwos
masted schooner that had bean riding
lily at anchor between two and. three
hundred test avay toward IS ship-
channel. n &. u