The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-07-31

at you. II don't like your looks wei,
sun be able to put you or at West
End; and II I do-well-right.ho
now, boys" he shouted, "go ahead
with the sails"
once more there was that ripplinR
OF the ropes through the blocks. as our
mainsatl rose up high against the
moon and filled proudly with the
, steady northeast breeze we had been
waiting for.
! So two or three hours went by ss
we plunged on, to the seething sound
| OF the water, and the singing of our
sails, and all the various rumor of
wind and sea. After all. It was a good
music to sleep to and, for all my scorn
OF sleeping landsmen, an Irresistible
drowsiness stretched me out ON the
roof Of the little cabin, wonderfully
rocked into forgetfulness.
I NV nhD came TO an end suddenly
as though some one had flung me out
through door Of blue and gold into n
newborn worff. There was the sun
rising, the moon still ON duty, and the
morning star divinely naked In the
heaven.
And there was Charlie, his broad
race beaming with bOyish happiness,
and something like a fatherly gentle
ness In his eyes, as he watched his
companion at the tiller, whom, for a
haif-asleep moment of waking,
coulInH account for, till our sts rt all
came back to me, when I realized that
II was our young scapegrace Of over
night. Charlie and he evidently were
on the best Of terms already.
Old Tom had been busy with break
fast and soon the smells Of coffee and
freshly made "jOhnny-cake" and fry
Ing bacon competed not unsuccessfully
with the various fragrunces of the
morning.
Breakfast over. Charlie filled his
pipe, assuming, as he did so, a judicial
aspect. I filed mine and our young
friend followed suit by taking silver
cigarette case from his pocket and
striking match on the leg Of his
khaki knickerbockers with profes-
sional air.
"All set?" asked Charlie. and, after
slight pause, he went on:
Nov, young man, you can see we
are nearing the end Of the island. An
other half-mile will bring us to West
End. Whether we put you ashore
there, or take you along, depends on
your answers to my questions"
"Fire away" answered the youth,
blowing cloud Of cigarette smoke in
a delicate spiral up into the morning
sky; "but I've really told you all
have to tell"
"No; you haven't told us how you
came to know of our trip, what we
were supposed to be after, and when
we were starting">
o "That's true!" flushed the lad mo-
mentarily losing his composure. Then,
partly regaining it "Is 1t necessary to
answer that question:"
absolutely" answered Charlie, be-
ginning to look really serious.
Because, If you don't mind :.
we'll, I'd just as soon not"
For that very reason I want to
know. We are out on a more serious
business than perhaps you realize, and
your answer may mean more to us
than you think"
"Fm sure 1t cannot be Of such impor-
tance to you. Really. it's hardly fair
for me to tell. 1 should have to give
away friend"
"I'm sorry, but l shall have to In
sist." replied Charlie, looking very
grim.
"All right. then." answered the
youth. looking him straight in the eyes,
put me ashore"
"No; I won't do that now, either"
declared Charlie. sternly setting his
jaw. "rll put you in irons, rather
and keep you on bread and water-till
you answer my questions"
"You will, ehr' retorted the youth,
flashing fire from his fine eyes. And
as he spoke. quick as thought, he
leapcd up on to the gunwale and, with
out hesitation. dived into the great
CLASSY rollers.
! But Charlie was quick, too. Like a
fash he grabbed one of the boys an
kles. so that the beautiful dive was
spoiled; and there was the boy, hang
Ing by an imprisoned leg over the
ships side, a helpless captive-hs
arms In the water and his leg strug-
| Cling to get free. But he might as well
have struggled against the grip OF
Hercules. In another moment Charlie
had him hauled aboard again. his eyes
full of tears Of boyish rage and hu-
| initiation.
"You young foolr' exclaimed Char
lie. "The water round here Is thick
Gm1M ~