The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-04-14
SEA WOLF ,;;;'' ,; +; :,,;'; ,,,'
by

have to run at once to the wheel,
and at the same time you must
be hosting the jib."
This maneuver of getting I'M
der way ] had studied and worked
out a score of times; and, with
the lib-halyard to the windlass,
/ knew Maud was capable of
hosting that most necessary sail.
A brisk wind was blowing into
the cove, and though the water
was calm, rapid work was re-
CURED to get us safely out.
When ] knocked the shackle-
bolt loose, the chain roared out
through the hawse-hole and into
the sea. ! raced aft. putting the
wheel up. The Ghost seemed to
start into life as she heeled to
the first fill of her sails. The
lib was rising. AS IL filled, the
Ghosts bow swung off and / had
to put the wheel down a few
spokes and steady her.
] had devised an automatic. lib
sheet which passed the jib across
of itself, so there was no need
for Maud to attend to that; but
she was still hosting the lib
when put the wheel hard down.
1t was moment of anxiety, for
the Ghost was rushing directly
upon the beach, a stones throw
distant. But she swung obedi-
emily on her heel into the wind.
There was great fluttering and
Tapping of canvas and reef
points, most welcome to my ears,
then she filled away on the other
tack.
Maud had finished her task and
come aft, where she stood beside
me, a small cap perched on her
wind-blown hair, her cheeks
flushed from exertion, her eyes
wide and bright with the excite
ment, her nostrils quivering to
the rush and bite of the fresh salt
air. Her brown eyes were like a
startled deer's. There was q wild,
keen look in them l had never
seen before, and her lips parted
and her breath suspended as the
Ghost, charging upon the wall of
rock at the entrance to the in
ner cove, swept into the wind and
filled away into safe water.
My first mates berth on the
sealing grounds stood me in good
stead, and I cleared the inner
cove and laid a long tack along
the shore of the outer cove. Once
again about, and the Ghost head
ed out to open sea, She had now
caught the bosom breathing OF
the ocean, and was herself a.
breath with the rhythm of it as
she smoothly mounted and slip
ped down each broad-backed
wave. The day had been dull
and overcast, but the sun now
burst through the clouds, well
come omen, and shone upon the
curving beach where together we
had dared the lords of the harem
and slain the holluschickie. All
Endeavor island frightened I'M
der the sun. Even the grim
southwestern promontory showed
less grim, and here and there,
where the sea-spray wet its sur
face, high lights flashed and
dazzled in the sun.
II shall always think of it with
PRIDE" l said to Maud.
She threw her head back in a
Queenly way, but said, Dear,
dear Endeavor island! shall
always love it."
And l." said quickly.
1t seemed our eyes must meet
in great understanding, and
yet, loath, they struggled away
and did not meet.
There was a silence ! might al
most call awkward, till broke
it, saying:
"See those black clouds to
windward. You remember, l told
you last night the barometer was
falling"
And the sun is gone" she
said, here eyes still fixed upon
our island, where we had proved
our mastery over matter and at
tanned to the truest comradeship
that may fall to man and woman.