The Lamar register., 1919-09-03
waiting for.

So two or three hours went by. as
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.
MY nap came fo nm end suddenly
us though some one had flung me out
through door of blue and gold into
newborn world. There was the sun
rising the moon still On duty, and the
morning star dlvinely naked In the
heaven.
And there was Charlie. his broad
face beaming with boyish happiness.
and something like II fatherly gentle
ness In his eyes. as he watched his
companion ut the tiller. whom, for
haif-asleep moment of waking, |
couldn't account for. till our start all
came back to me, when ] realized that
Il was our young scapegrace Of Ner-
hii ~ 'Nt''hts Ntit
on the best Of terms already.
Old Tom had been busy with break
fast and soon the smells of coffee and
freshly made "johnny-cuhe" aud fry
ing bacon competed not uuSuccrsSfully
with the various fragrunceS vi the
morning.
breakfast over, Charlie filled his
pipe. assuming. us he did so. II judicial
aspect. filled mine and our y0Ing
friend followed suit by taking silver
cigarette case from his pocket and
striking II match on the leg Of his
Khaki knickerbockers with profes-
slonnl air.
"All set?" asked Charlie. and, after
u slight pause, he went on:
snow. young man. you can see We
are nearing the end of the island. An
other hnlf-mlle Will bring US to Vest
End. Whether we put your ashore
there. or take yOu along, depends on
your answers to my questions"
.'Flre away" answered the youth.
blowing cloud OF cigarette smoke la
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"
That's true," flushed the lad, mo-
mentarlly losing his cOmposure. Then.
partly regaining 1t sis IL necessary to
answer that question:"
Absolutely" answered Charlie. be-
ginning to look really serious.
because. II. you don't Inind .
we'll. I'd just as soon not"
For that very reason ! want TO
know. We are out on more serious
business than perhaps you realize. and
your answer may mean more to Us
thnn you think"
I'm sure Il cannot be OF such lmpor-
tance to you. Really. it's hardly fair
for me to tell. l should have to give
away friend"
I'm sorry. hut | 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; | won't do that now. either"
declared Charlie. sternly setting his
jaw. "I'll put you in irons. rather
and keep you ON bread and water-till
you answer my questions"
"You will. ehy" retOrted the youth.
fin shing fire from his fine eyes And
as he spoke. quick as thought. he
lenped up on TO the gunwale and. with
out hesitation, dived into the great
CLASSY rollers.
But Charlie was quick. too. Like II
flash 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. helpless captive-his
arms In the water and his leg strug-
Cling to get free. But he might as well
have struggled against the grip Of
had him hauled aboard again. his eyes
full OF tears OF boylsh rage and hu-
initiation.
"You young fOOli" exclaimed Char
lie. THE water round here is thick
with sharks; you wouldn't have gone
fifty yards without one of them get
ting you"
"Sharksl" gasped out the boy. con-
temptuOisly. 81 know more about