Las Vegas optic., 1912-10-23

Srirr=n, Something alive
nuunced Theophilus Black. one O the
fishermen. Charlie Burgess Just come
down along and he says there's q
ships l0ngboat hauled up on the
beach. bout a mile n a half tother
side the mouth Of the herrin' crick yon-
der Oars IN her and all And she
amt no boat that b1ongs round here. /"
Captain zeb. who had been inspect
ING the anchored vessel through the
spvglass. lowered the latter and
seemed puzzled. Blessed If she don't
lock abandoned to ne. Can't see a
sign Of life aboard her"
We couldn't neither" said Thoph-
we was Just caI'latin to 20 on to her
when Charlie come and told Us about
the lnnghoat- I guess likely We can go
now; it's pretty nigh smooth as q
pond. You'll take an car. won't you.
Naahg"
T can't leave the light very well Ny
wife went over to the village last
night. You and Charlie and Bin go
Want TO 90, too, zsb?"
NO, III stay here. I guess. The old
Iadg made me promise to keep my feet
dry afore left the house
You want to 60, Mr.. EIlery7 Lots
af room
The minister was tempted. The sea
always had a fascination for him and
the mystery Of the strange ship was
appealing
Sure I won't be IN the wayT"
NO. mol course you WON'T said
Burgess. Come right along You set
in the bow. if you don't mind gettin'
surinkled once IN a while. I'll steer
and Thoph and BiIln row. Thatn be
enough for one dory- II we need
more. well signal Heave ahead"
The steersman. who was staring
hard in the direction they we're going.
scawied
Humphg7 he grunted again Z
swan ta man. feIlers. believe she is
abandoned"
Rubhishl" painted Bill, twisting his
neck to look over his shoulder.
Course she aintl Who'd abandon a
craft such weather's this, and Prov
ncetown harbor only three hours run
Or so2'
The rowers hit her up aud the
dory moved faster. Then Burgess. put
ting his hand to his mouth. hailed.
snip ahoyi" he reared ..Ahoyl"
No reply
The dory slackened speed. turned in
obedience to the steering oar. and slid
under the forequarter Of the an
ehored vessel E1lery, looking up. saw
her name in battered gilt letters above
mis- head-the San Jose.
stand BY. ThophIp shouted Charlie
aS'p0ze you can jump and grab her
foreehains? Hold her steady. Bill.
Now. Thopht That's the timet"
Thoph had jumped. seized the
chains. and was scrambling aboard A
moment later he appeared at the rail
anfdships, a rope in his hand The
dory was brought alongside and made
fast, then one after the other the men
in the boat climbed to the brig's deck
@Ahoyl'' yelled Burgess. All hands
ON deckl tumble Hp, you lubbers!
Humphl She is abandoned, sure and
sartin.1
aYup.r asserted Bill Her boats
are gone. See2 Guess that explains
the Iongboat on the beach. Charlie"
+ ~CaRIate it does; but it don't ex-
main why they left her. She amt
leaKin' none to speak Of. that's sure.
Rfdes's lights a feather Christmas!
look at them decks; dirty hogs. who
ever they was"
Thoph led the way aft. The cabin
companion door was open and they
|peersd down.
aPhewl" shifted Burgess. '.She amt
mo cologne bottle, is she2 Well, come
on below and let's see what'lf we see.
The cabin was a mess, as Bill
EexDressed it. The floor was covered
wi4h scattered heaps OF riff-raff. oil
skins. coats, empty bottles, and pa