The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-02-23
CHAPTER lV.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER lV.-(Continued.)
With a twist of his eyebrows spell
ing doubt. Coast followed. He was
not wholly satisfied that there was
any wisdom latent in this latest freak
III his errant fancies. For a fortnight
re had given impulse its head, and SO,
docile to its aimless d~ivagajons. had
found contentment of a sort--more a
parody than the real thing; dream
less rest won through wholesome
bodily fatigue. a waking distraction
bred of constant change of scene; thin
ice over the troubled deeps of a heart
embittered. Eastward from New
York he had wandered, mostly afoot,
unknown, u~nrecognizcd, Warburton
alone cognizant of his movements,
and that under strict injunction of ST.
lence; thus he had come blindly. seek
ing surcease of his distemper. finding
only the oblivion of fatigue. And re-
Gently he had become ~uneasily con-
scioMs that ever that was losing it's
effect, as an opiate will in a frame
too long habituated to it's action; now
ind again the thought of Katherine
and Blackstock would crawl in his
mind, vigorous. poisoning the very
sunlight.
Here, without presage, he found his
whim aiming for salt water. Was he
wise to humor it? Would he find
healing in the swing of the seas. the
gavor of spray. the hiss of waters
broken by plunging bows. the gurgle
astern?
Huxtable led him directly to a lit
tie vessel in a cradle on the ways and
bright with new paint. The Echo"
he introduced her: five year old.
weather-wise, sound and sweet. fast
and able. Owner left her with me for
sale. Seven hundred and a bargain"
Coast strolled round the boat with
an eye critical of her lines. then
clambered up the skeleton ribs of the
cradle and dropping into her cockpit.
verifying Huxtable's catalogue of at
fractions. Presently he climbed
down again. impressed that the BOAT
would probably justify it's recommen-
dation to the letter.
when car you put her in the wa
ter?"
In fifteen minutes"
do so, then, please. and have the
gasoline tanks filled and the batteries
wired up. . IN want these be-
sides" He found a pencil and scrap
OF paper and scrubbed a list of sup
plies. you've a spare moor
ting off herc?" he inquired. and re-
celved an Affirmative. Then put her
off: III sleep aboard her tonight.
Now III take a turn up town and buy
provisions and things"
He fitted out without thought OF
economy: in the list of his acquisi-
lions he could find no lack; by night.
tall the Echo was furnished with
everything that Coast could think of
as essential or desirable for coast
wise cruise. whether brie: or pro-
tracted.
There was no plausible excuse for
his failing to sleep; the Echo rode
without much perccptible motion,
mOored about a hundred yards off
shore; waters whispered somnolently
a%longside; h town was quiet. Yet
slumber was denied him; an unwont-
ed excitement sparkled his magma
ton. kindled by a sense Of adventure
distilled from tomorrow's promise,
At five bells he rose and went on
Geek to smoke. his trouble heavy upon
aim. The cockpit was not more
trenched with moonlight thar with
dew. but the air was motionless and
suave; in pyiamas and slippers, lol-
ling upon the dry side of an over.
turned G a cushion, he felt no need
Of heavier clothing.
Presently a breath of air stirred
feebly; catspaws darkened the silver:
signing, the air died; the lawed sur.
lace OF the harbor smoothed and
frightened. Then again the breeze
tanned up out of the northwest, vacil.
,ant; advancing, languishing. waxing
gradually in volume until it blew full
and free.
Coast shrugged to the chill and
rose to go below, but paused. attracted
by a stir of life aboard a small, two
Masted schooner that had been riding
IDLY at anchor between two and three
hundred feet away toward the ship
channel.
He saw . movement of bustling