The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-11-22

|
Ellery waded back to meet this well
come arrival. The horse plunged into
the next channel, surged through it,
and emerged dripping. The driver
pulled the animal into walk.
Say" he cried, I'm cruisin your
way; better get aboard, hadn't you?
There's kind of a heavy dew this
moSnin' Whoa, Bill"
bill" or January" stopped with ap-
parent willingness. The driver
leaned down and extended a hand.
The minister took it and was pulled
up to the seat
"Whew!" he painted. I'm much
obliged to you. l guess you saved me
from a ducking, if nothing worse"
The horse, sturdy, sedate beast to
whom all names seemed to be alike,
picked up his feet and pounded them
down again. Showers of spray flew
about the heads Of the pair on the
seat.
Il amt SO sure about that duckin','
commented the rescuer. Hum! guess
likely We'll be out of soundin's if we
tackle that sink hole you was under
takin' to navigate. Let's try 1t lit
tie further down"
Ellery looked his companion over.
WELL" he observed with a smile,
from what I've heard Of you, Captain
! Hammond, | rather guess you could
navigate almost any water in this To-
cality and in all sorts Of weather"
| The driver turned in surprise.
"So?" he exclaimed you know me.
do you? That's funny. I was tryin'
| to locate you, but I amt been able
| to- You amt Trumetite, I'll bet on
that"
Eyes, | am"
Tut! tut! tut, you don't tell me-
Say, Shipmate, you hurt my pride.
! did think there want a soul that ever
trod sand in this village that l couldn't
name on sight, and give the port they
hailed from and the names of their
owners. But you've got me on my
beam ends. And yet you knew me"
"Of course l did. Everybody knows
the man that brought the packet
home"
The cart was afioat The horse, find
ing wading more difficult than swim
ming, began to swim.
Now I'm skipper again, sure
enough" remarked Hammond. "Ain't
gettin' seasick, are you?"
The minister laughed.
NO" he said.
Good! she keeps on fairly even
keel, considerin' her build. There she
strikes! That'1l do, January; you
needn't try for record voyage, Walk
ms more in your line than playin'
steamboat. We're over the worst Of
it now. Say! you and l didn't head for
port any too soon, did WEI"
mo, l should say not. l ought to
there so long. I've been warned about
this tide. /"
"S-sh-sh! that's all right Always
glad to pick up derelict, may be
chance for salvage, you know. Here's
the last channel and it's an easy one.
| There! now it's plain sailin' for dry
ground"
The old horse, breathing heavily
from his exertions, trotted over the
mounted the slope Of the beach. The
minister prepared to alight.
Captain Hammond" he said, you
| haven't asked me my name"
mo, I seldom do more'n once There
have been times when I'd just as soon
cruise without too big letters along
| side my figurehead."
| 'sWell. my name is Ellery"
Hey? What? Oh, no! no! ho!"
He rocked back and forth on the
| seat. The minister's feelings were a
| bit hurt, though he tried not to show
| it.
you mustn't mind my laughin'," ex-
| planned Nat, still chuckling ''It amt
at you. It's just because l was won
derin' what you'd look like if l should
meet you and now Ho! no! You
see, Mr. Ellery, I've heard of you,
same as you said you'd heard of me-"
The minister. who had jumped to
| the ground, looked up.
Captain Hammond" he said, I'm
very glad indeed that / met you. Not
alone because you helped me out of a
bad scrape; l realize how bad it might
| have been and that"
"Shsh. shh! Nothin' at all. Don't
| be foolish"
But I'm glad, too, because I've
| heard so many good things about you
| that I was sure you must be worth
knowing. | hope you won't believe I
went to your fathers meeting with
| any"
mo, MOI Jumpin' Moses, man! l
don't find fault with you for that. /
understand, guess"
well, II you don't mind the fact
| that am what / am, I'd like to shake
hands with you"
Nat reached down big brown hand.
Same here" he said. Always glad
| to shake with chap as we'll recon-
mended as you are. Yes, indeed. |
mean it. You see. you've got friend