The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-10-31

"Doesn't 1t Smell Like an Easter to
Your"
blast. Lord! they must be cussin a
blue streak"
BY this time the Echo had worked
we'll up into the channel, the other
vessel being about midway through.
To a second signal, a solitary blast.
Appleyard replied with two, In utter
defiance of every rule and regulation
for the prevention of collisions at sea.
A husky shout of wrath answered this
manifestation of landlubberly foolish
ness. Appleyard responded with three
short banks of the whistle, the same
signifying what was obviously un-
true-that he had reversed his engine
and was running full-speed astern
for at the same moment, in obedience
to his low-toned communicated
board, starboard your helm!"-Coast
again put the wheel over and the
Echo swung smartly On her heel
showing her port light and making
as If to cut across the others bows
at a moment when they were but a
few lengths apart.
There was an instant Of suspense
as the boats drew swiftly together
Coast held his breath and prepared
to Jump should the threatened hap
pen; 1t seemed certain that the sharp
stem of the motor cruiser would
crash into the catboat's side. Even
Appleyard lost something Of his Gus
tomary aplomb and betrayed the
strain upon his nerves.
"Sit ught-sit Tight" he whispered
between his closed teeth. Don't give
an inch-they've got to-they don''
dare-ah-h!"
The last was a sigh Of relief as the
cruiser swerved sharply In toward
Pasque, shot forward a couple OF
lengths and brought up suddenly with
a churning screw-hard and fast
aground.
A moment later the Echo rounded
gracefully to port within two yards OF
her stern; and simultaneously Apple
yard, leaning far out over the comb
ing, made an exceedingly cunning
cast with a coil of line which Coas
had laid in against the possibility O
| q broken halyard The flying loop:
settled accurately into the water, JUS
above the foam kicked up by tht
cruisers propeller, and in another In
| slant its motor stopped with a stran
| gulated gasp.
Out Of the cloud of profanity tina
| smoked UP from the cruisers COCKPIT
| flew first one heavy spanner, then an
other Both splashed heavily along
| side the Echo. Not until they hat
drawn we'll out of range did Coast ant
| Appleyard rise from the shelter o
| the combings.
80 far, splendid" commented Ap
| pleyard soberly, staring astern.
| reckon that. between the furrow the.
| ploughed in that shoal and severa
/ yards Of good hempen rope gummins
| up the shaft and screw, they'll bid
where they are wee. Till the storm
blows over any way. 1t ought to TAX
free that shaft. Now, If you'll
give me the wheel, we'll go about ant
get ready for business. That wa
child's play, alongside of what's t
come Get the sail UP, please"
| For a space thereafter Coast ha'
his hands full: the Echo was swing
ing out of the channel, past the hol
lew, respondent changing bell, ant
| the wind had found her with swool
Of fury and a wolfish howl By th'
time he had trimmed the main-shee
the catboat was sweeping onward a
a rate little shor. Of Incredible.
Steadily the guiding 'longshor'
| lights swung round them, marking
their progress: to starboard Guilty
hunk shining steadfast as low-huns
star, to port Gay Head lifting up It
| lofty beacon, astern, low down, a gEim
mer, frequently lost-Nobska. ~
nearer lights were there to bewilder
wise coastwise mariners Rugged snu.
harbors on such night az that; thu
Echo took her chance alone.
| Touching Coasts arm. Appleyare
| drew his attention to a tiny CLINT O
| light in the south, where No Man:
| Land beckoned them from afar, acros:
weary waste Of broken waters.
| Coast nodded, with a set. grave
| face, knowing that his hour drew nigh