Okolona messenger., 1921-11-03

while we had collected our belongings
aud stood grouped about the deck
ready for the first thrilling plunge
into adventure. My aunt and AIiNa
Browne had tied huge green wells over
their cork helmets, and were clulnp-
Ing about In tremendous hobnaIled
boots. All the luggage was allowed
to take was In travelling bag and a
gunny-sack. obligingly donated by the
cook. Speaking of cooks, found we
had one Of our own, a coal-black ne-
gro with grizzled wool. an unctuous
voice and the manners Of an old-schoOl
| family retainer. So far as ! know his
name was Cookie. / suppose he had
received another once from his spon-
sors In baptism, but If so, 1t was bur-
led in oblivion.
Now a narrow cleaning gap ap-
peared In the wall OF cliffs, and the
freighter whistled and lay to. There
began a hustle at the davits, and
shouts Of Lower away!" and for the
first time 1t swept over me that we
were to be put ashore in boats. Aunt
Jane burst out in lamentation. She
would not, could not go in a boat.
She had heard all her life that small
boats were most unsafe. Why didn't
the captain sail right up to the island
as she had expected and put us
ashore? Even at Panama with only
little way to go she had felt it suicidal
here 1t was not to be thought Of.
But the preparations for this des-
perate step went on apace, and no one
needed Aunt Jane but Mr.. Tubbs, who
had FASTENED to succor beauty in dis
tress.
Then Aunt Jane clutched at Mr..
Shaw's coat lapel as he went by, and
he stopped long enough to explain pa
tiently that vessels Of the freighter's
size could not enter the bay, and that
there really was no danger, and that
Aunt Jane might wait If she liked till
the last boat, as it would take several
trips to transfer us and our baggage.
| supposed of course that this would
include me, and stood leaning on the
raiL watching the first boat fade to a
dark speck on the water, when Mr..
Vane appeared at my elbow.
Ready, Miss Harding? You are
to go in the next boat with me.
asked especially"
"Oh. thanks" cried fervently. He
would be much nicer than Mr.. 'rubbs
to cling to as | went down-indeed, he
was so tall that If it .were at all a
shallow place might use him as
stepping-stOne and survive. hoped
drowning men didn't gurgle very much
meanwhile Mr.. Vane had disap-
peared over the side, and sailor was
lifting me and setting my reluctant
feet on the strands Of the ladder.
"Good-by, auntie!" cried, as I be-
gan the descent. Don't blame your
self too much. Everybody has got to
go some time, you know, and they say
drowping's easy"
With a stifed cry Aunt Jane for
sock Mr.. Tubbs and flew to the rail. /
was already out of reach.
"Oh. virginia!" she walled. "Oh,
my dear child! If it should be the
last parting!"
"Giye my jewelry and things to
Bess' baby% l found strength to call
back. Then the arms of the Honor
able Mr. Vane received me. The
strong rowers bent their backs and
the boat shot out over the mile or two
of bright water between us and the
island. Great slow sweIls lifted us.
We dipped with a soothing, cradle
like motion. l forgot to be afraid in
the delight Of the warm wind that
famed our cheeks, of the moonbeams
that on the crest of every ripple were
spIintered to thousand dancing
lights. forgot fear, forgot Miss Hig-
glesby- Browne, forgot the harshness
Of the Scotch character.
"Oh. glorious, glorious!" / cried to
Cuthbert Vane.
Not so dusty, eh?" he came back
In their ridiculous English slang Now
an American would have said: "Spme
little old moon thatl" We certainly
have our points of superiority.
All around the leland white charg-
ing lines OF breakers foamed on rag
ged half-seen reefs. Now our boat
felt the lift Of the great shoreward
rollers, and sprang forward like liv-
ing thing. The other boat empty Of
all but the rowers and returning from
the island to the ship, passed us with
q hail, We were in the little bay un-
der the shadow Of the frowning cliffs.
AT the head of the bay, a quarter
OF a mile away, lay broad white
beach shining under the moon. At
the edge of dark woods beyond fire
burned redly. 1t threw into relief the
black moving shapes of men upon the
sand.
Straight for the sand the sailors
drove the boat. She struck 1t with a
Jar. grinding forward heavily. The
men sprang overheard, wading half
way to the waist And the arms Of
the Honorable Cuthbert vane had
snatched me up and were bearing me
safe and dry TO shore.
Mr.. Shaw approached and the two
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