River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-08

felt her way into Hog Island inlet, on
the shores of old Virginia. and drop
ped her anchor in the deep waters of
the channel back OF the sand spit.
4 AS Stuart stepped on deck a cloud
Of black ducks circled gracefully over
head and slowly spread out on their
+ feeding grounds. His heart gave
throb of primitive joy. He was boy
again and the world was young.
"Confound themr he cried. 'I'I
show these drcks a trick or two be-
fore this trip is over"
He was glad he cane. Bivens had
put him in command of the little
schooner, and he gave orders at once
to lower a tender and tow her to an
bid anchorage he knew in little cove
behind Gull marsh. And then his
trouble began with Bivens.
LET EN- fly if they want to; I'm not
going to bulge. Go yourself, Jim
600 myself! What do you suppose
l gave up my work and came down
here a month for? l came to try to
teach you how to live, you fool and
I'm not going without you. Get into
your toys! The guides are here and
ready The tide waits for no man,
not even a millionaire; it's ebbing
now"
well. let it ebb. don't want to
stop it!'' the sick man snarled.
Nan came in, pressed Stuarts hand
rs she passed, nodded good morning
and Joined her voice to Stuart'S.
Come; y"u must go, Cal It's
glorious day
The doctor slipped in word too.
"By all means, Mr.. Bivens, get your
hand in the first day"
Bivens lifted himself to half sit
ting posture, glared at his physician
and yelled with fury:
"Get out-all of you-and let me
alonev'
The doctor and Nan left on tip toe,
but Stuart folded his arms and looked
at Bivens.
''Oh, come now, this is too ridicu-
lous, a quarrel the first day of our
shooting But you'll have to get one
thing fixed in your head once for all;
you don't run the entire world. The
telephone, telegraph and mail service
have been suspended. The Ruccaneer
has put to sea for New York. You're
on a little eighty-foot schooner,
anchored in a bay ten miles wide and
a hundred miles long and I'm in com
mand l won't stand any nonsense
from you Come down off your
perch, quick"
Bivens started to swear, caught the
expression of Stuart's face and sud
denly extended his hand.
'T'm sorry, jim; you must not nina
my foolishness. 1t was awfully nice of
you to come. I'll stay in today, but
you go and get some ducks for din
ner, like a good boy, and say-take
Nan along and teach her to shoot.
It's getting to be the rage among the
high flyers for the women to shoot"
''Please do. Jimv' Nan cried from
the door She had listened outside to
the duel in the stateroOm.
,, "All right" he answered.
For five days Bivens stuck to his
bed with logged determination, and
each day Stuart went out with Nan.
Never had she been more resistlessly
charming. Each day their associa-
ton grew in tender intimacy and
every fear that had stirred his heart
at first was lulled at last to sleep.
On the sixth day Biyens rose early
and declared that he would try the
ducks. The barometer was falling, and
dark, snowy looking clouds were piling
I'D on the western horizon. breeze
came stealing out of the cloud banks
with the chill Of snow in its breath.
Bivens insisted on going out at once,
against the advice and the protest OF
the guide He not only insisted on go
ing after the ducks, but, what was
worse, swOre that he was going to get
his mail and kilograms from the shore.
Stuart protested vigorously.
give told you that the guide is the
only man who can run that tender over
the crooked course to the mainland,
and if he goes away we'll have no one
to take us out"
'What do you need a guide for? It's
not a half mile to those blinds. I've
seen you every day go back and forth
in plain view of the yacht. Nan could
row out there and back by herself.
Send him ashore Don't you know how
to put out your own decoys?"
IF a strong blow comes Wen need
two strong men to handle the boat.
"Rotr' Bivens cried. "We've got two
tenders. Send your guide ashore with
one of the sailors to run his engine.
The other man can tow us out and
back