The Monmouth inquirer., 1920-12-30


tempt to aid the swift tide and the
engines. His pipe had, for once, 'goLe
out, and remained neglected.
Miller began anxiously to look for
cigns of the Snake channel But to
either side the dreary marshes swep'
away apparently unbrolzen.
At five O'Clock, however, Tlny turn
ed the Dart towards the left bank OF
the rieer. Miller could see q narrow
opening in the marsh erase through
which classy water flowed reluctant
ly. Beyond il in the direction of the
sea. he made out line of low tlpea.
probably palmettos and cedars. It
stretched northward from the r;vei
across the marshes for perhaps, five
miles. ae pointed at the opening.
"The Snake?" he asked.
Tony nodded. He shifted his feet
rastlessly. After manipulating his
levers until the engine slowed down
he faced Miller.
"Anchor?"
Miller arose and walked to the
freak of the deck.
Certainly not. / said we were go
ing through the Snake tonight
Tony shuffled nearer. He spread
his hands towards the sky.
you mean," Miller said, "that IL
will be dark in an hour or so? know
il. What of it,"
Tony opened his lips. He spoke
with painful effort.
TOO late to get past. Would have
to anehog5by Captains Island"
He pointed at the low, dense mass
of trees which Miller had noticed.
Naturally, Miller. answered. That's
my wish--to anchor in Captains In
let"
The threatened change in Tony be.
came complete. 1t startled He plac
ed his hands tremblingly on the beak
of the deck at MilIer's feet. His cheeks
ahoye the heavy beard had grown
white. His eyes showed the first
2limmer of revolt Miller had ever de.
tected But strangest of ali. the ma
tive, whose habitual silence was brok-
en- only by the most imperative de-
mands, burst suddenly into torrentia;
speech.
Miller started back, unwilling TO be-
lieve, because this man. who on occas.
ion had displayed the most uncalcu-
lating physical bravery, was now ex-
posing a shocking cowardice. And
why? He scarcely seemed to know
himself The words ran one into the
other with the gutteral accent of ter.
ror. 1t was something to do with
Captains Island. 1t didn't pay to an
chor there at night. He backed this
,pinion with a flood of testimony
creeping, lying tales Miller knew it
while he tried to shut his eyes to
them.
He raised his hand to stop this
cruel exhibition. He stared into the
frightened eyes, For only moment
the wills Of the two men battled, then
the stronger, more intelligent, con-
quered. Tony's eyes wayered. His
gutteral voice ceased.
sTony,e Miller said quietly, with
you or without you. if sha can be
coaxed through the channel, the Dart
will anchor in Captains Inlet tonight.
There's the dingy. Take 1t il you wish
and row to Sandport You can bring
it around tomorrow by daylight. I'll
have your money ready"
Tony hesitated. After visible
struggle he turned back to the wheel.
The Darts nose pointed for the open
ing,
"And, Tony" Miller added, .'since
you seem inclined to stand by the ship
you must understand that this non
sense cannot be repeated.n
Tony didn't answer, yet, knowing
him. Miller felt satisfied, But he no-
ticed that the broad shoulders shook
a little.
The boat was entering the Snake.
Miller raised his eyes. Perhaps ii was
the waning light-for the sun was
setting-or some atmospheric trick,
but all at once Captains Island seem
ed to have come nearer. The dense
mass of its foliage cut into flaming
sky. Stealthy shadows slipped from
It across the bent marsh grass. Miller
lad a fancy that it was reaching out
llowly and surely. For what?
The agents talk of spell came
back to him, Was it the spell of the
place already reaching out for him?
He felt suddenly cold. He shivered.
If it was the spell of the place it had
found him, for his customary cheer
fulness was finally throttled by
black, heavy depression, He knew, un-s
less the agent had lied. that mon
strous things had happened there.
Was it possible that Anderson's let
ter referred to their fancied, jncorpor-
al survivals? The fact that the nues-
tion persisted troubled him. Untnink-
lngly, he accepted the challenge of
the island. Closing his fist, he raised
It against the line Of forest. The abb
surdity of his gesture failed to impress
him. He descended to the forward
deck. He stepped close to Tony. He