The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-10

From where we was you could see
a part Of Horsefoot Bar that was
out OF sight from the rest of the
bay. As | say, | looked. Then
gave the tiller a shove that
brought the boom across with i
slap. / spied the Dora Bassetts
mast over the sandspit.
In a jiffy we see her plain. She
was lying on her side in a little
cove. Just as the tide had left her.
Her canvas was down In a heap,
partly on deck and partly over
board, but she didn't seem to be
hurt none. / beaehed the yawl
just alongside of her, dropped the
sail, chucked over the anchor and
jumped over myself. Hartley fol-
lowed. We was yelling like looms.
Up through the bunch of scrub
pines we tore, still hollering. And
then, from away off ahead some
where's, come the answer. / was
so tickled | could have stood on
my head.
In a minute here comes Lord
James to meet us. His Lordship
looked yellow and faded, like a
wilted sunflower. But his dignity
was on deck, all right.
"Mr 'Artley," says he, touching
what was left of his hat; 'ope
you're we'll sir"
where's Van?" asked Hartley.
brisk.
"Mr. Van Brunt. sir? Up at the
'ouse waiting for you, SIR
THE house," says Hartley.
THE house?" says |. Then /
remembered.
There is a house on Horsefoot
Bar. 1t was built by old man
Marcellus Berry, who died years
ago.
The house was there, and Nate
Scudder owned 1t. Likewise he
owned the sheds and barn in back.
We fell into the Wallets wake
and waded through the sand hum
mocks up to the house. And
there on the piazza, sitting in a
busted cane-seat chair, with his
feet cooked up on the railing,
cigar in his mouth, was Van
Brunt, kind of damp and wrinkled
SO far as clothes went, but other
wise serene and clipper.
Hello, skipper" says he,
reaching out his hand. 80 you
got ashore all right. Good
enough. l was a bit fearful for
you after You left us last night"
After l left him! | liked that.
"Humph!" says l. Look here.
Mr.. Van Brunt, afore you an me
go to sea together again we'll
have a little lesson in running
rigging. / want to learn you
what a mainsheet is"
"Oh," he says, careless like. 81
guess l found it, after a while.
At any rate il it's a rope | cut It..
l cut all the ropes in sight"
Then Van jumped up. grabbed
t'other Twin by the arm and led
him down off the piazza and up
to the top of little hill near the
house. l followed without being
invited.
Look here. Martini" says Van.
when we got to the top of the
hill. Look around you. Now
what is it,"
What is TT" Martin says.
whats what7 What do you
mean?"
"Why, this whole business. Is
land and house and scenery and
quiet and all. You old block
head!" hollers Van, giving the
other Twin an everlasting bang
on the back. Don't you see? It's
what we've been looking for all
these weeks-it's the pure, un-
adulterated. experimentation
Natural Life!"
set down In the sand. Things
were coming too fast for me. But,
would you believe 1t, Martin
Hartley didn't seem to think his
chum was out Of his mind. He
fetched long breath.
"By Jove!" he says, slow. 81
don't know but you're right"
Right? You bet I'm right!
It's been growing on me ever
since | landed. Well be alone;
no females, native or imported,
to bother us. Here's a bully old
house with some furniture, bed
steads and SO on, already in it.
/ broke a window and climbed In
for a rummage. Jolliest old ark
you ever saw. Here's a veranda
to sit on. and air to breathe, and
barn for COW, and plenty Of
room for pardan and cbicGapo