Gilpin observer., 1913-01-16
splashed on. bound out to where the
fish weirs stood, like webby fences. in

splashed on. bound out to where the
fish weirs stood. like webby fences. in
the distance.
A cart. drawn by a ploddIng horse
and with a single individual on its
high seat, was moving out from be-
hind the breakwater. Some fisherman
driving out his weir, probably. The
minister had been on the bar con-
siderable time before he began to
think of returning to the shore He
was hungry. but was enjoying himself.
his that morning. Only the cart and
its driver were in sight and they were
half mile of. He looked at his watch,
sighed, and reluctantly started to walk
toward the town; he mustn't keep Mrs.
Collins breakfast waiting too long.
The first channel he came to was
considerably deeper than when he
forded 1t on the way out. He noticed
this, but only vaguely. The next, how,
ever. was 30 deep that the water
splashed in at the top Of one of his
boots. He did notice that. because
though he was not wearing his best
clothes. he was not anxious to wet
his "other ones" The extent Of his
wardrobe was in keeping with the size
Of his salary.
And the third channel was SO wide
and deep that he saw at once 1t could
not be forded, unless he was willing
to plunge above his waist.
He hurried along the edge, looking
for shallower place, but found none.
At last he reached the point OF the
fiat he was on and saw, to his dismay.
that here was the deepest spot yet,
hole, secured out by current like
mill race. Turning, he saw. creeping
rapidly and steadily together over the
fiat behind him, two lines of foam, one
from each channel. His retreat was
cut off,
He was in for a wetting. that was
sure. However. there was no help for
1t. SO he waded in. The water filled
his boots there. 1t gurgled about his
hips, and beyond. as he could see. 1t
seemed to grow deeper and deeper.
The current was surprisingly strong;
he found 1t 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 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 a shake. Git dap, Janu.
ary!"
Ellery waded back to meet this well
come arrival. The horse plunged into
the next channel, surged through 1t.
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 heavy dew this
mornin'. Whoa, Bill"
bill" or January" stopped with ap-
parent willingness. The driver
leaned down and extended hand.
The minister took 1t and was pulled
up to the seat.
"Whew!" he painted I'm much
obliged to you. l guess you saved me
from a ducking, II 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 few
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 II we
tackle that sink hole you was under
takin' to navigate. Let's try it 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 10
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 amt been able
to. You amt Trumetite. I'll bet on
that"
Yes. I am"
Tut! tut! tut! you don't tell me
Say. Shipmate. you hurt my pride.
did think there want soul that evel
trod sand in this village that couldn',
name on sight. and give the port they
hailed from and the names Of theil
owners. But you've got me on my
beam ends. And yet you knew me"
"Of course 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.
Nov I'm skipper again. sure
enough" remarked Hammond. AIN,
gettin' seasick, are your"
The minister laughed.