The Delta independent., 1913-01-31

nat pcHiiu Iiilii. WV iihts vi lodln, oIl<
from each channel. His retreat was
cut off.
He was in for a wetting, that was
sure. However, there was no help foI
1t, SO he waded in. The water filled
his boots there, it gurgled about his
hips, and beyond, as he could see, il
seemed to grow deeper and deeper
The current was surprisingly strong
he found it difficult to keep his footing
In the soft sand. 1t looked as though
he must swim for it, and to swim In
that tide would be no joke.
Then, from behind him, came a hail.
He turned and saw moving toward
him through the shallow water now
covering the fiat beyond the next chan
mel, the cart he had seen leave the
shore by the packet wharf, and. later,
on the outer bar. The horse was Jog
ging along, miniature geysers spouting
beneath its hoofs. The driver waved
to him.
Hold on. mate" he called. "Belay
there. Stay where you are. I'll be
alongside in shake. Git dap, Janu.
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 it and was pulled
up to the seat.
"Whew!" he painted. I'm much
obliged to you. guess you saved me
from duckfng, If nothing worse"
The horse. a sturdy, sedate beast to
picked up his feet and pounded them
down again. Showers of spray flew
about the heads of the pair on the
seat.
Il amt 80 sure about that duckin',"
commented the rescuer. Hum! guess
likely we'll be out of soundin's II we
tackle that sink hole you was under
takin' to navigate. Let's try it a lit
lie further down"
Ellery looked his companion over.
WELL" he observed with smile,
from what I've heard of you. Captain
Hammond. rather guess you could
navigate almost any water in this 10
cality and in all sorts OF weather."
The driver turned in surprise.
"So?" he exclaimed you know me,
do you? That's funny. l was tryin'
to locate you, but l amt been able
to- You amt a Trumetite, I'll bet on
that"
Yes, l 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 couldn't
name on sight, and give the port they
hailed from and the names of theiI
owners. But you've got me on my
beam ends. And yet you knew me-"
"Of course l did Everybody know,
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. "Aint
gettln seasick, are your"
The minister laughed.
NO." he said.
Good! she keeps on a fairly even
keel, considerin' her build There she
strikes! That1l do, January; you
I needn't try for a record voyage. Walk.
ms more in your line than playin'
steamboat. We're over the worst OF
1t now. Say! you and didn't head for
| port any too soon, did we?"
No, l should say not. / ought to
have known better than to wait out
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 a
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
stretch of yet uncovered flats 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, seldom do more'n once. There
have been times when I'd Just as soon
cruise without too big letters along.
side my figurehead."
We'll. 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
1t.
You mustn't mind my laughin'," OK
planned Nat, still chuckling. 1T amt
at you. It's Just because l was won
derin' what you'd look like II / should
meet you and now Ho! ho! You
See. Mr.. Ellery, I've heard OF you,
| same as Ynu said Ynu,d hoard of M