The Tomahawk., 1919-11-06
Not cAlwaYs
to the Strong
o0
By OWEN OLIVER
~OUo0VOVUSV
(Copyright.)

The rain was coming down in sheets,
and the wind took me off my balance
as I turned the corner Of Alexandra
road. Some one ran against me as l
righted myself. 1t was George King.
"Where are you going?" he grOwled.
To Hardy's," I answered gruffly.
"Same as you" There were a dozen
ylardys In Sheerness, but he knew that
I meant old Hardy, the pilot.
His cutter had gone down IN the af-
ternoon, and they said that the old
man would go that evening. He had
been sinking for long time.
We walked to their house in silence.
There was bad blood between us on ac-
count of Jessie Hardy. Jessie's aunt,
who kept house for them. opened the
'loor and let us in. The tears were
lolling down her wrinkled old cheeks.
aud her apron was crumpled with wip-
ing her eyes.
"He's been taking on awful" she
told us.
He'd feel it," l said. "about the
cutter"
''The cutter? No, no. lad. We
haven't told him of that. It's about
Jessie. Lying gossip as nobody else
wouldn't take notice Of; but you know
what he is when he gets thing into
his head"
"Who's been saying things about
Jessie?" I asked, hercely. Tie old
woman stared at me.
"You don't mean that you amt
heard?" she cried.
"Folks as have anything to say
against Jessie aren't likely to say 1t to
me-" told her.
"Nor me-" said George.
"YOu know as she left Russelrs shop
sudden, little before he got his berth
on the lightship at the More, and gave
up. They've set 1t about that he sent
her away for taking things!"
"Who says IT." shouted; and
George clenched his fists. He wasn't
one for words.
"Sh" She raised her hand. "You'll
wake her. Cried herself to sleep, poor
girl. The things he's said to her! Al
ways suspicious, he was. and ready to
take anyone's word against his own
flesh and blood"
II suppose" George said. "the old
man wouldn't listen to us7"
mot II you was angels dropped from
II e sky! There's only one as he'd be-
lleve, he says. and that's Russell him.
self"
We looked at one another and shook
our heads. Russell was on duty aboard
the lIghtship.
"If it wasn't for the gale," George
muttered, I'D fetch a line from him;
hut no boat couldn't do It,"
went home, put on a waterproof,
and stole out quietly for fear my moth
~ should ask questions.
AS was untying my boat man in
Cilskins passed under the lamp. 1t
was George King. knew that he was
going to his boat.
I hauled the dingey down the slope,
fastened the mast In its place and put
up the smaller lib and the mainsail
with all the reefs In. Then pulled
and pushed the dingey over the shin
gle.
She gave a lurch and shipped n sen
before I go! hold Of the tiller.
We were certain to be swamped
when we got into the full force of the
storm, l thought. and had almost
mllde up my mind to turn back. when
1 saw Kings boat to leeward.
So decided to 80 on. Kings was
larger boat than mine, with water
tight compartments at the head and
stern, and a center-bOard, and he was
seaman by profession. while l was
only an amateur.
The wind lulled for moment and
I got the boat almost dry Then a gust
., anne and the jib broke loose.
Crash! I caught wildly Mt some
th!ng-the keel Of my upturned boat.
Another wave almost tore me on.
Suddenly the boat was whirled away
from me. l tried vainly to swim In my
heavy clothes, but swallowed the water
In great gulps.
was almost unconscious when
hand seized me and pulled me up. I
clung to the gunwais Of Kings boat,
and he hauled me In.
laid helplessly on the deck bow
till he got bottle of rum from under
his seat and give me drink.
Then the moon came out and showed
the lightship straining Mt her moorings
close by. We found little shelter
under her lee. and halloaed. Some one
looked over the side and threw a rope.
King caught It, made It fast and
climbed by 1t.
When he had reached the deck fol-
lowed.
I found Russell below talking to
King. He started when he saw me.
Newman! You Lere, tool" He
danced at George. "You didn't tell
me he was with you"
II came on my own" explained.
MY boat went down, and he picked
me up. You'll write rs it's Her
aIn ro,1rs. IT'S lie! Any one but