Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-01-31

ary!"
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 a walk.
Say" he cried, I'm cruisin' your
way; better get aboard, hadn't you?
There's kind OF a heavy dew this
mornin'. Whoa, Bill"
"Bill" or January" stopped with ap-
parent willingness. The driver
leaned down and extended a hand.
The minister took 1t and was pulled
up to the seat.
'Whew!" he painted. I'm much
obliged to you. guess you saved me
from a ducking, If nothing worse"
The horse, a 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.
II amt so sure about that duckin',"
commented the rescuer. Hum! guess
likely Wen be out Of soundin's II we
tackle that sink hole you was under
takin' to navigate. Let's try 1t a 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. was tryin'
to locate you, but l amt been able
to. You amt Trumetite, I'll bet on
that"
Yes, l am"
Tut tut! tut! you don't tell me.
Say, Shipmate, you hurt my pride. l
did think there want a soul that ever
trod sand in this village that 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" a.
The cart was afloat. The horse, find
ingIwading more difficult than swim
ming, began to swim.
Now I'm skipper again, sure
enough" remarked Hammond. "Ain't
gettin' seasick, are your"
The minister laughed.
NO" he said.
Good she keeps on a fairly even
keel, considerin' her build. There she
strikes! ThatIl do, January; you
needn't try for a record voyage. Walk
ms more In your line than playin'
steamboat. We're over the worst of
1t now. Sayl you and didat head for
port any too soon, did wei"
mo, / should say not. ought to
have known better than to wait out
there so long. I've been warned about
this tide. I"
"S-sh-sh! that's all right. Always
glad to pick up a derelict, may be a
chance for salvage, you know. Here's
the last channel ard 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
stretch Of yet uncovered fats and soon
mounted the slope Of the beach. The
minister prepared to alight.
Captain Hammond" he said, you
haven't asked me my name"
mo, l seldom do more'n once. There
have been times when I'd Just as soor
cruise without too big letters along
side my figurehead."
well, my name is Ellery."
Hey? What? Oh, no! no! hot"
He rocked back and forth on the
seat. The minister's feelings we're 9
bit hurt, though he tried not to show
It,
You mustn't mind my laughin'," ex
planned Nat, still chuckling. at ain
at you. It's Just because / was won
derin' what you'd look like II should
meet you and now Hoi no! YOU
see. Mr. Ellery, I've heard Of you
same as you said you'd heard Of me-
The minister, who had jumped Il
the ground, looked up.
Captain Hammond" he said, I'm
very glad indeed that met you. No
alone because you helped me out Of ;
bad scrape; realize how bad 1t nigh
have been and that"
"Shsh, shh! Nothin' at all. Don
be foolish"
But I'm glad, too. because I'v'
heard so many good things about yol
that I was sure you must be WORT
knowing. hope you won't believe
went to your fathers meeting witt
| any"
mo, mol Jumpin' Moses, man!
don't find fault with you for that.
understand, guess"
well. IL you don't mind the fac
that l am what | am, I'd like to shak
hands with you"
Nat reached down a big brown hand
Same here" he said. Always gla
to shake with chap as well recon
mended as you are. Yes. indeed,
mean 1t. You see, you've got frien