The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1913-02-07

A cart. drawn by a plodding horse
and with 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
too well to mind. The fats were all
his THAI. morning. Only the cart and
Its driver were in sight and they were
half mile off. 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
Nat he was on and saw, to his dismay,
that here was the deepest spot yet.
hole, secured out by current like a
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 wetting, that was
sure. However, there was no help for
1t. so he waded in. The water filed
his boots there, it 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. Delay
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 walk.
Say" he cried, I'm cruisln' your
way; better get aboard, hadn't you?
There's kind Of heavy dew this
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. I guess you saved me
rom a ducking, II nothing worse"
The horse, a sturdy, sedate beast to
whom all names seemed to be alike.
picked up his feet and pounded them
Town again. Showers Of spray flew
about the heads of the pair on the
,eat.
81 amt so sure about that duckin',"
commented the rescuer Hum! guess
likely wen be out Of soundin's If we
ackle that sink hole you was under |
akin to navigate. Let's try 1t a lit
lie further down"
Ellery looked his companion over.
Well" he observed with a smile,
from what I've heard Of you, Captain
| rather guess you could
navigate almost any water in this To-
ality and in all sorts Of weather"
The driver turned in surprise.
"So?" he exclaimed you know me.
10 you? That's funny. l was tryin'
o locate you, but l amt been able
o. You amt a Trumetite, III bet on
hat"
Yes. l am"
"Tutl tut! tut! you don't tell me.
lay. Shipmate. you hurt my pride.
i'd think there want soul that ever
rod sand in this village that l couldn't
anne on sight. and give the port they
allied from and the names Of their
wners. But you've got me on my
cam ends. And yet you knew me"
"Of course did. Everybody knows
he man that brought the packet
ONE"
The cart was afioat The horse, find
lg wading more difficult than swim
ling, began to swim.
Now I'm skipper again, sure
nough," remarked Hammond. Amt
ettin' seasick, are your"
The minister laughed.
NO" he said.
Good! she keeps on a fairly even
eel, considerin' her build. There she
.rikes! That1l do, January; you
eedn't try for record voyage. Walk