The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-17

In her-twenty-dye HIP. I'd guess. She
moves when she movesi"
THAT argues crew OF two?" Coast
surnised
"Just about-aside from our friend
the passenger, Mr. Handyside-who's
in such sweat to get on his job that
he has to risk the passage in the
teeth Of an easter" said the little
man. "You car bet your boots no
one else would run the chance-nor
he. unless It was on urgent business.
Now go about and stand across
again. bit further up the channel"
he advised as the Echo drew under
tbe shadow of Pasque. $500: that's
It."
The other vessel was entering the
mouth Of the channel, at the moment
taat Coast put the helm over and
brought the Echo's green starDosro
eye into view. A mile or so lsy be-
tween them. Arpleysrd lifted the
hatch and opened the throttle full, be-
fore setting out the port light
A shower OF spray Ewspt over the
Echo's counter as she bucked the tide.
That's the, stuff" said the little
man. NOW they're wondering Whist
particular variety Of darn fools we
are. Hold her as she stands-steady. +"
Two throaty blasts from ar auto
matte whistle fioated down fhe wind.
"What'd tell your" chuckled APP
pleyard. "She's slowed down al
ready" he announced, although
Coast was unable to discern any
change n the speed Of the nearing
craft. ct hurts to do this" The lit
tie man jerked the whistle lever aud
educed single, prolonged, derisive
blast. 'Lordl they must be cussin' a
blue streakl''
BY this time the Echo had worked
well up into the channel, the other
vessel being about midway through.
To a second signal, solitary blast,
Appleyard replied with two, In utter
defiance Of every rule and regulation
for the prevention of collisions at SEQ
A husky shout OF wrath answered this
manifestation OF landlutberly foolish
ness. Appleyard responded with three
short barks Of the whistle, the SAGE
/ signifying what was obviously un
true-that he had reversed his engine
and was running full-spsed astern
! for at the same moment, In obedience
! to his low-toned command-"Stai
board, starboard your helmi"-Coasl
again put the wheel over and TN
Echo swung smartly on her heel
showing her port light and maxim
as If to cut across the others bows
+ at q moment when they were but 6
| 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
i crash into the catboat's side. Ever
! Appleyard lost something of his Gus
tomary ap1omb 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't
| dare--ah-hl"
The last was sigh of relief as the
cruiser swerved sharply In toward
| Pasqne, shot forward a couple OF
lengths and brought up suddenly with
q 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 q coil Of line which Coast
| had laid in against the possibility Of
broken halyard. The flying loops
! settled accurately into the water, Just
above the foam kicked up by the
cruisers propeller, and in another in
slant It's motor stopped with a stran
gulated gasp.
Out Of the cloud Of profanity that
smoked up from tse cruisers cockpit
few first one heavy spanner, then an
other. Both splashed heavily along
side the Echo. Not until they had
drawn well out of range did Coast and
Appleyard rise from the shelter o.
the combings.
$50 far, splendid" commented APP
pleyard soberly, staring astern. g
reckon that, between the furrow they
ploughed In that shoal and several
yards of good hempen rope cumming
up the shaft and screw, they'll bids
where they are wee. TIL the storm
blows over any way. It ought to take
q good diver or a marine railway te
free that shaft. Now, If you'll
give me the wheel, wen go about and
get ready for business. That was
child's play, alongside of what's tc
come. Get the sail up. please"
For space thereafter Coast had
his hands full; the Echo was swing
ing out of the channel, past the hol
low, respondent changing bell. and
the wind had found her with a swoor
OF fury and wolfish howl. BY the
time he had trimmed the main-sheet
the catboat was sweeping onward al
rate little shorl Of incredible.
Steadily the guiding 1ongshore
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