The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-07-21

battle across the bay would be a long
one.
Storm demons seemed to shrek In
the tense rigging. And then, without
warning. screaming squall snapped
the White Seas main sheet. Sponsor
knew that it should have been replac-
ed long ago, but his schooner was al
ready in debt.
The great boom shot off against the
lee rigging like catapult and buckled
at the impact with terrific crack.
The White Sea drove into trio of
small Niagaras as she came TO reluc-
family at Sponsors more reluctant
speedily whipped itself into streaming
ribbons. A storm trysail was bent on
the main gaff, but in few minutes 1t
went the way Of the mainsail.
The skipper bitterly realized that he
| was out of the race. He was a fool
| to have expected anything more than
| the beastly luck which had chased him
all the spring. Perhaps he was even.
ready to believe what Gale had said
of Jennie. At any rate, he led mad
attack on the snarl OF thr2shing spar
and tortured canvas and us promptly
staggered back and collapsed uncon-
scious on the flooded deck.
Blood oozed from his thick. dark
hair and stained the bronze of his
square cut face as they carried him
to his bunk.
THE White Seas luck" said the
crew resignedly.
Then Big Len Gunnel, the seine
HEAVIER, took charge. The wreckage
tied up beyond further mischief. the
plunging White Sea, her bravado sud.
denly wilted. was put broad off before
the gale.
To windward the Daybreak. igno.
rant Of possible tragedy and gather
ing new hope from the fsherman's mis-
fortune. dipped the ragged yacht en-
sign at her main peak in heartless
adieu and went on.
Around the knuckle Of Cape Cod
foamed the fisherman. and after a
long beat under foresail and jib she
thankfully let go both anchors IN
Provincetown harbor
| A doctor was boated aboard immedi-
ately. Back with him came Big Len,
bearing crumpled Gloucester paper
which told joyfully that the missing
mackerel had "struck" again in great
quantities off the coast of Nova Scotia.
The crew started cheer. which was
promptly squelched.
Now, shut right up, every mothers
son of ye!'' ordered Big Len. "Skip.
per amt in 10 condition to listen to
no sech ki-yiin'! The galoot who lets
another zip out Of him goes over the
rail, feet. head and stummick. I'M
standT'
The crew did.
Early next morning small boat.
with q comely middled aged woman
and fluffy haired, brown eyed girl
came alongside. the latter feathering
her oars with the touch Of man-of
wars man and making her landing I'M
dismayed by an admiring crew.
"Darnationr' grumbled Big Len.
Amt l got enough on to my mind
Already? Here's the Wilder Hilbert
from home and that pretty young one
Of hern chock on top Of us! And
women folks aboard q vessel is jest
plain nuisance!'
He tried to entice the cook aft to
do the honors. but the cook knew n
thing or two and made himself scarce
So 1t was the perspiring seine HEAVIER
who took their painter and meekly
ushered them below, repeatedly assur-
ing them In answer to frantic inquiries
that the skipper merely had the bark
rubbed Off"
my land, Andy Sponsor" began the
relieved Mrs. Hilbert. restored to her
housewifely self with jump at the
good news, why don't you tidy things
up little Bit
why, Mother Hilbert, aren't you
ashamed?" expostulated the girl. who.
with eyes shining, was on her knees
mt the edge Of Sponsors bunk. IF
Iyou aren't nice III tell Andy all about
lyou and Captain Gale! No. Andy, your
temperature win go up! Novel;.
just one"
Big Len Gunnel, the seine HEAVIER.
backed out Of the cabin and went on
deck, where he took long, deep breatlls
Of the bracing salt air.