The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-11

EiOunh lnut IdIhg ltuAifsAAAe NAANN -
the party must split forces, had decid-
ed to seek new companions among
those lucky enough to sail on the first
steamer.
Even then he needn't have been In
such a hurry" complained Johnny
trifle bitterly. "And he needn't have
thought we'd be in his way"
"Has he paid his share Of the lodg-
ingsT" 1t occurred to me to ask.
We felt quite bitter against Yank,
and we carefully avoided his usual
haunts, for we did not want to meet
him. Then we began to think 1t
strange we had not run across him
somewhere on the streets. Then we
began to look for him. We found
that Yank had Disappeared
At that, little alarmed, we set our
selves to a serious search and inquiry.
A few remembered to have seen him,
but were vague as to when and where.
The authorities moved sluggishly, and
with little enthusiasm. Men were dy-
ing every day and disappearing under
ground, leaving no trace of themselves
behind. One more or less seemed un-
important.
In the meanwhile we spent much of
our time by the shore, together with
comfortable majority of our fellow
argonauts, awaiting the sighting Of
vessel. We had engaged and paid
daily a boatman to be In readiness to
take us off, and we settled our lodg-
ings account a week ahead.
''There's going to be scramble for
that blessed ship" said Talbot, land
wen Just be prepared"
To that end we also kept our effects
packed and ready for instant removal.
The expected ship came, of course,
on one Of these dull gray days, and
those who had thought themselves un-
lucky IN being crowded out Of the huts
were the first to sight her. They
sneaked down very quietly and tried
to launch two Of the boats. OF course
the native boatmen were all inside;
trust them! AS n high surf was run
ming, and as none Of the men were In
any sense good boatmen, they prompt
| ly broached to and flied. The noise
brought us to the door.
Then there was fine row. One of
the two boats Communicated by the
early birds happened to be ours. All
our forethought seemed to have been
In vain. The bcdraggled and crest
fallen men were just wadlng ashore
when we descended upon them. Tai
bot was like raving lunatlc.
"You houndsr he rOared. "Don't
you dare try to sneak off! You catch
hold here and help empty these boatsl
You would, would youY He caught
one escaping worthy by the collar and
Jerked him so rapidly backward that
his heels fairly cracked together. John
ny flew to the combat with chuckle
of Joy. contented myself by knocking
two Of them together until they prom
ised TO be good. The four we had col
Jared were very meek. We all waded
into the wash where the boat lay slug
gishly rolling. IL IL no easy matter to
empty a boat In that condition. Water
| weighs n great deal; Is fearfully inert,
| or ut least feels so, and has bad hab-
/ 1t of promptly stopping In again. We
tugged and heaved and rolled and
hauled until our joints cracked, but at
last we got her free.
In the meantime forty other boats
had been launched and were flying
over the waves halfway between the
shore and the ship.
Talbot was swearing steadily and
with accuracy. Johnny was working
like crazy man. l WAS heaving away
at the stern and keeping an eye on
our involuntary helpers. The boat
man, beside himself with frantic ex
element, jabbered and ran about and
screamed directions that no one under
stood. About all we were accomplish
Ing now was the keeping of that boats
head straight against the heavy wash
II seemed as though we tugged thus
at cross purposes for an hour. In real
ity It was probably not over two o.
three minutes. Then Talbot regainet
sufficient control to listen to the boat
man. At once he calmed down.
Here, boys" said he. lease he
backward. You, Johnny, stand by a
the bow and hold her head on. Franl
and l will give her shove at tn,
stern. When the time comes I'll yell
and you pile right in, Johnny. vamos
Manuelv'
We took our places, the boatman n
the oars, his eyes over his shoulde
watching keenly the In racing seas.
The four dripping culprts looked n
each other uncertainty. and one o
them started to climb IN the boat.
"Well, for Gods snkew screeche,
Talbot and made n hendlong bull rusI
for the man.
The latter tumblcd right out of tn,
boat on hls back in the shallow water
His three companions He'd inconti
nently up the beach, where he follow
cd them ns soon ms he cOuld scramble
10 his feet.
Manuel said something sharply with
out looking around.
"Shovel" scrreched Talbot pile IN
johnny
we bent QUE hacks. The boat resist
I'D, Yielded gathered headwny, I
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