Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-01-14


assert herself.
1--WE amt goin on the point eff
kin help it: I'm goin' ter try an sail
inter the cove. | am. Now, don't you
saga word. You jest keep cool an
listen; you see that big heap O sails
there" pointing toward the bow !;
seems ter me. eff we kin git one o.
them part way up. the wind'li blow
that end o. the boat round, an then
blow us right home. You jest go an
see eff you can't pull one o. 'em up.
an Ill try an find out how that
wheel works; seems ter me they steer
big boats with wheel"
Liza obediently picked her way to
the foremost. my land, l never see
SIGH tumble o. ropes in all my life.~
she called. "while d'you s'pose I
oughter pull?"
Keep a-pullin' 'em till you find
out" returned Susan. who was turn
Ing the wheel first this way and then
that. in vague hope of it's having
some definite effect.
Liza jerked on various ropes until,
at last. an end of wet jib emerged
from the heap.
That's it" called Susan; keep
a-pullin'!"
Liza hauled away manfully, and
the heavy, soaked canvas rose till the
wind caught it, and it pulled out side
ways like balloon.
The yacht began to feel the effect
and to slowly swing around. II
do. know how sailor folks makes
knots" she said, gingerly making her
way aft Il tied 1t like l do cloes
line"
81 guess it'll do" answered Susan !;
we're goin' ahead now, but somehow
can't seem ter do anythin' with this
wheel"
'P'raps It'd go better eff all that
muss o. stuff was away" suggested
Liza. indicating the mainmast and
sail.
Sure 'nough, 'twould," said Susan !:
'wonder eff they got Ratchet; you
might open them doors and see.''
pointing to the cabin companionway.
Liza succeeded, after many efforts,
in opening the doors, and very slowly
descended the steps. She soon reap
peared with a silver-handled carving
knife in her hand, and under her arm
hungry-looking yellow cat, who was
telling her tale of woe In prolonged
walls. Nov. kitty she said, setting
the cat down, don't be scarf Wen
take care o. We. My, want 1t mean
ter leave poor cat shut up down
there / couldn't find no Ratchet, but
guess this oughter do" holding up
the knife. my. there's sight o.
nice things In there! Picters, an
lookin' glasses, an sofys, an a lot
O. elegant glass things all smashed
ter bits"
She began saving at the ropes.
while pussy picked out dry spot
and endeayored to improve her APP
pearance.
! "Glad you found the cat" observed
Susan; I'VE need one ter home-oh
my for Liza's efforts suddenly re-
suited in the whole mass, mast, boom,
sail, and all, going overheard with
prodigious noise and drifting astern,
while the mainsheet snapped with a
bang. The yacht instantly righted
ly, the wind by this time blowing
directly inshore.
"Well, amt that surprisin'y' said
Liza, "but It's mighty shame ter
lose all them nice pieces o. wood an
ropes. Where's that cat?"
"She went downstairs like a yaller
streak when that noise come" said
Susan, who was working vigorously
at the wheel. "Oh goodyl she cried,
Il guess / got it now See, you turn
1t this way and the boat goes that
way, an tother way, so; Liza, we
be all right
And so they were.
Ten minutes later, the little
schooner yawing slightly as the seas
swept along her length, but still keep
ing a good course, sailed by the
dreaded point, and into the smooth
water of the cove. And just as the
sun went down, she struck, with a
gentle thump, few yards from the
beach, where she lay fast aground
on the sand.
Susan sat plump down on the rail-
I'VE did it, didn't WEI" she said.
"My, Pm all of tremble !"
80 be l." said Eliza; "but eff
don't git on dry land right off I'll
have fit. We can't git no wetter'n
we be, so let's wade Come kitty,
kitty!"
Kitty appeared and was tucked UNI
der 'Liza's protecting arm and then
the two brave old ladies climbed over
the side and waded ashore, thankful
and happy that their perilous adven-
ture was comfortably ended.
In this assurance, however, they
were disappointed. For q telegram.