Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-01
CHAPTER III.
The Tempters Voice.

On the sixth day Bivens rose early
and declared that he would try the
ducks. The day before had been, in
the local vernacular, a weather
breeder"-a day of breathless seas, a
soft haze hanging from the sky, lazy,
sensuous, dreamy, alluring tenderness
in the air.
The barometer was falling now and
dark, snowy-looking clouds were pill
ing up on the western horizon. A
breeze came stealing out Of the cloud
banks with the chill of snow i'm its
breath.
Bivens insisted on going out at once
against the advice of Stuart and the
protest of the guide. He not only in
sisted on going after the ducks but
what was worse, swore that he was
going to get his mail and kilograms
from the shore.
Stuart protested vigorously.
i've told you that the guide is the
only man who can run that tender over
the crooked course to the mainland
and if he goes away well have no one
to take us out"
What do you need a guide for:
It's not a half-mile to those blinds
I've seen you every day go back and
forth in plain view Of the yacht. Nan
could row out there and back by her.
self. Send him ashore. Don't you
know how to put out your own de-
coys?"
He spoke with the stubbornness Of q
spoiled child.
IF a bad blow comes we'll need
two strong men to handle the boat"
Rot" Bivens cried. We've got
two tenders. Send your guide ashore
with one of the sailors to run his en-
CINE. The other man can tow US out
and back"
Against his judgment he allowed
Bivens to have his way.
The little man clambered on deck
and hustled about, giving orders
to the sailor who was slowing the
lunch and ammunition.
When Stuart stopped the tender al
the first blind, about five hundred
yards away, Bivens protested.
Here, here! I'm no mollycoddle
if have been sick. l can throw q
stone to this blind. This isn't the one
| want. There it is down yonder to-
ward the end of that marsh. l saw
thousands of ducks circling around /,
yesterday"
But they'll come here today" Stu
art urged. THE wind has shifted ant
they shift their course with the wind
This blind is all right"
II won't have it," Bivens storlned
Go to the other!"
This is all right today, l tell YOU
Stuart replied.
Bivens's face flushed with rage.
Look here, Jim, I've given in to yOr
every day we've been down here. In
going TO have my way this time"
He turned to the sailor who was
running the tenders engine and SPOKE
sharply.
GO to that other Blind"
The sailor sprang to the wheel an.
the tender shot ahead. Stuart sett(tt
back in his seat with angry disgust
and Bivens laughed.
Cheer up, it's no use to give orders
for funeral yet. If we can't get ba2E
to that yacht in fifteen minut ''
against any wind that blows today, /!
eat my hat I'm feeling better tha'
have for months. I'm in for gooc
time Don't be piker."
| Stuart determined To make the bes
of it.
"All right" he answered cheerfully
I'll he responsible for any trouble
that comes, 50 don't you worry"
You're not in New York now, Cal,
Stuart said with grunt. You ma!
own the earth but the sea still ha:
a way of its own"
Good Lord, man, could walk bacl
to the yacht at low water. it all goe!
bare"
Yes. unless the wind hauIs in To tn,
northeast and rolls in a big It'd,
through that inlet"
"An right, let her roll. The tende
will come back and pull us in"