The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12
THE DANCE-By J. B. Connolly

r NTO the middle Of the dance some
body threw what was meant for a
L bombshell. "They say the cutters
on the way" suddenly said this lad.
Some say she's in the bay" he added.
when his preliminary seemed to pro-
duce no CONSERVATION. But the man at
whom II was aimed was not unac.
quainted with the Astounding jealousy
Of the male In this most primitive re-
glon Of west Newfoundland, and also II
had ever been his secret pride that
nothing affected his nerve.
Even II she is," he retorted now,
what odds till she gets here?" and In
doubling enjoyment continued to swing
his buxom partner.
But at midnight q young fellow in
fishing rig came from the other side Of
the bay with news yet more positive
and alarming. "where's Capt. Powers?"
I'm a minute. boy, and I'll be with
YOU" and to the assembled admiration
finished the reel.
shes to anchor below, and they've
been inquirin' Of you. captain-you and
the little Weasel"
Then it's time for me to 20. But
what d'y' say. Bess, another dancer"
Surely, Bryan, one more" and In
exulting triumph with this capture Of
the American captain she snapped her
fingers to the fiddler. after which she
accompanied him to the porch.
"And when will you be back. Bryan?
For Of course twill be q small matter
for you to slip the cutter and away as
you've done a score O. times before
When will you be back?"
I'm be back for q dance this night
week. And, mind you. keep one for
me. Bess."
LAY. boy. and more than one" and
they kissed and parted.
In his little schooner Bryan, to es-
cape the cutter, was forced to crowd
into the Gulf Of st. Lawrence by the
north shore Of the bay. Once there he
would have liked to lay his course for
the Magdalen Islands, which lay 200
miles or 80 to the west and south; but
now what with the approaching morn
and the attendant light. he dared not
cross the open water at the mouth Of
the bay. The cutters glasses were al
together too far reaching. even II they
were not informed by Jealous SWANS as
to the likeliest direction to find him.
30 he decided to head northward, to
hug the coast until such time as 1t
might be safe to swing out into the
broad gulf, and 80 on southerly to the
n DAA ~. a. ~ ~
decided to do because on the north coast
were loopholes Of escape-little harbors
OF refuge wherein Q bold man might
slip to and hide from troublesome cut
tiers that could steam against the wind.
And speaking Of Bay Of st. Johns.
Wallace"-Bryan was addressing the
cleverest Of his crew-"a good hundred
miles It Is, but suppose now we could
make 1T"
"You make It and I'll find a hiding
place where a whole navy Of blood
hounds wouldn't smell US, captain"
We'll. Bonnie Bay 1t is"
And here's the vapor coming. cap
tain-to hide US from the cutter"
"Mm-yes. Wallace-but hides her
from us too"
They were debating that question
thcu WHcu, the White maze llItlTlk anu
rolling away. they made out the smudge
Of smoke astern. Far away it was
then, but not to be doubted.
"The cutter, captain?"
That's what. And II we can see her
smoke she can surely make out our
sail. Here's where the vapor would
help, Wallace. and bear out your argu-
ment"
"Ay. captain. Twas like a wall, that
vapor."
Like a wall. yes. Wallace. or like
curtain hiding the stage. But now
he drove his arm through the air as il
1t were solid substance opposing him
now the winds our only hope. Blow,
We devils. blOw!" and after his fashion
allowed his mind to run where 1t would.
MAN. but the breeze had once in
the Boring Sea. and a cruiser ten times
the size Of that cutter after US! Out Of
the fog she came like black some
thing throwing of white sheet. All
black she was except for a gold stripe
along her run and 10000 horse power.
We knew her and she knew US, and We
a little vessel with only the wind to
save her-and us. But that's not get
ting away from this fellow. IL 1t? Sway
up everything now"
And while they heaved on the hal
yards and gigs he sang defiantly:
"'Oh. beating up the coast on a blowy
winters day
From the fog we raised a cutter of his
kinglets DER the way.
She fires a shot across our bows by way
Of sayin' Delay!
We ranges fair across her bows. and then
we bore away.
Southeast by east for Matakan, and, oh,
the wind 1t blew!
As out before the bowling gale our little
vessel few.
The sea was such. the wind was such,
ne didn't FIRE a shot,
Because they didn't dare to wear but
he mustve swore a lot!
"'Oh, fyin' down the coast like
another heave or two on the main'l
fellows"
He trained the glasses on the fast
looming steamer astern. II told 'em
I'd wreck the jack before I'd let any
Government vessel get her. and I will
Damn EN- anyway all cutters and
cruisers! And n she IL wrecked"
Wrecked? Then it'll be mixed