The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-02-03


GIL turned ana laid hand on his
friends shoulder. II wouldn't worry,
old man he's sure to show up eventu-
ally"
II hope he WILL" said Hadley wist-
fully; I'D rather lose hundred yacht
races than lose old Cracker"
AS the sound Of the preparatory gun
rolled across the water. the two yachts
swung away from their moorings and
commenced maneuvering OF the club
house. Five minutes later, close
hauled, white water under bows and
lee rails awash. they bore down upon
the starting line and were OFF.
"A splendid startl" observed old
Commodore Noing with enthusiasm
from the yacht club piazza
"Yes, but Jack has the windward
position as usual" excitedly cried the
young colleginn, raising his binoculars.
At the commencement of the second
leg, Hndley's yacht was leading by
four lengths and was gaining per-
ceptibly.
From the deck OF the leading boat,
lIadley gazed astern and smiled with
amusement.
at does seem shame" said he. nd
dressing guest, shat GIL can't seem
TO win by any old means, be they fair
or foul. There's Ledge Rock of the
starboard bow. the third leg practical
ly commenced. Why, we'll simply walk
away from him he can't hold candle
to us I'm running free"
whats that floating of to port.
Cnp'n7" asked member OF he parry.
Pears to he n small boat. Yes'r,
tits n small skiff," he replied. squint-
ing
That's strange; she's anchored"
announced Hndley. looking through
his glasses. Peculiar place to anchor
a small boat
Probably somebody fishing"
IIadley again raised his binoculars.
mo. there's no one on board"
Heads !" called out another rs tho
boom swung over; and for the time
being the small boat incident was for
gotten.
Now, here's where we walk away
from them" laughed Hadley as
sailor let out the main-sheet "How's
the tide, Cap; with us?'
"'Pears TO be pretty nigh flood" re-
| Piled the captain, gazing at Ledge
Rock. which was all but submerged.
Hello what the deuce do you call
thatf" cried Hadley. pointing toward
the ledge. A horrld suspicion flashed
across his mind. by Jove. II can't
be-" He gazed through his glasses
with wide, staring eyes.
Upon the topmost rock Of the clus-
ter. with the water all but tapping It's
body, sat small, brownish-c -colored
animal. manlfesting evident signs Of
the liveliest distress.~
Hadley's heart sank within him-his
| worst suspicion had become GER
tainty.
| There on that barren ledge, five
miles out to sea, ungroomed, lonely
and miserable. sat the pride Of the
Hadley kennels-the blue-rlbboned
arlstocrat. Crackeri
There was not a moment to lose.
Even now II seemed as though the
waves must engulf him.
"Crackerl" Hadley wildly announced
and sprang at the wheel, wrenching II
from the captains grasp.
Hadley, in a moment, grasped each
step, Of Gill's Machiavellian plot. Gil
had marooned the dog. GIL had placed
the skin there for purpose; 1t was
the one means by which Crackers res
cue could be accomplished. The yacht
could not approach the dangerous
reef. To save the dog they must needs
return for the small boat.
"You can Jest about do II, s'r," an
nounced the captain.
mo thanks to that confounded fool.
Gillw Hadley wrathfully exclaimed,
although much relieved by the skip
per's words. II call that a damned
mean low-down trick I"
"Oh, don't know. Jack" one Of his
friends quietly demonstrated; "remem-
ber-'by fair means or FOUL"