The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-03-22
Ole Marked Man

IOr-enO, anu plIc1eO mo Inc lrOlu Vi
waters
Norman kicked over the tiller. He'd
better watch his own going IL he
wanted ever 10 see home again
Home? He tasted the word bitterly
Where was il? What was it? To
whom was he going home? To old
Gusiaf? No. chilly grief spread
through his heart. He choked IL
away. There was no time for re-
greis Again he lodged the reef No
chance of crossing il Must go around
IL AS be slid into a trough, mount
ed the next wave, and glanced shore
ward. he cried out and gripped tight
against the cabin
Blind Mans Eyel Stiff, unyielding,
unmindful of wind and water. Al poked
up its head half a mile TO the south
west along the coast. AT The same
instant a steamy grumble pressed out
ward against the wind Two short.
one long, two short
Between the wash and the tower,
like grasshoppers ON the sand, a coast
guard crew made ready their gun.
So II was one of Parish's men who
burned the Costoni They would send
a shot line across the wreck of the
Admiral Burkett, haul out the hawser
carrying the breeches buoy and take
in her men.
Relief. like a soft warm breeze,
floated through Norman's spirit. Re
lief They were safe. those sailors
Now he need only gel his own boat
ashore.
A chill wave slapped down upon
him. Shoot a line? Shoot a line out
to Blind Mans Teeth? They couldn't
do that. He turned cold, sick Cap
tain Parish had said so himself.
Well, they were trying il, anyhow.
On shore the brass gun exploded
Its projectile broke through the mist
The shot line uncoiled, spun into the
air after IL Too short A second
and a thir. time the line sagged into
the water. Short Too much wind
Too much weather.
Minutes, half hours were passing.
Ashore the surfmen stood idly. Nor
man guessed that they were debating
among themselves, debating whether
they dared launch their boat. He
thought with quiekening heart of
the only other time that Parish's boat
had put out since he came TO the
point He had made a poor figure
that night. remaining ashore And
tonight, al home lay Cat-eye Nc
Coogan's letter.
A madness seized him Afraid?
Scarf? Coward? He'd never really
tested hiTself If Parish's crew
wouldn't attempt this, why shouldn't
he do il for them? Why not?
He could try it But ne must hurry
Hours the vessel had wallowed
He pointed Gustafs boat toward the
steamer. Breakers. white-headed
white bearded, like giants incredibly
old and unbelievably powerful pom.
meled the side But the motor
chugged une1citedIy. Normap's feet
worked nimbly along the tiller. He
glanced shoreward once. The surfmen
stood close together in tight group.
They saw him, undoubtedly. They
were staying ashore while be tried
No power-boaf could make ii ou1
through thai surf against the wind
II was up to him Parish had failed
Wauld he fail. too?
He worked his bow closer under
the lee of the wreck. Twenty Yards
away the deck tipped now sailor
with a coiled rope on his arm crawled
10 the rail. He flung down the rope
Ii snapped directly oyer Norman's
head uneoiled in the Wind. whipped
down He caught it loosely under
his arm.
Norman took full breath and with
the line still under his arm, SET one
foot on the wet eoaming alongside the
cabin. Cautiously, gripping the hand
rail. doused deep under mountainous
waves. he crawled to the bow of his
boat.
He mad the line fast TO the post
Come on" he howled, and the wind
ate up his voice.
Fresh blasts ripped out of the north.
The fish boat drew away from the
freighter until the thin line snapped
tight. Norman glanced oversize
dark shape was rolling toward him
on the crest of gray wave A man?
No. dog. The ships dog He
reached out his arm One moment
he drew back his hand. Again he
leaned out strained toward the ami
NAL 1t was big dog. good swim
mer. His fingers gripped the hair.
then strong metal collar
Jump" be cried. .jumpi"
wave leaped high over the coam-
ing and flung the wet dog groveIing at
his feet He looked up quickly at
the deck above.
Come on. men. hurry" be howled
again.
A pair of boots protruded over the
higher rail-. They slid. jerking along
the life line from the steamer deck.
bulky body followed. Norman
dragged the fellow 10 his knees.
opened the forwarG hatch and flung
In the seaman He threw the dog
in, too, before he slapped shut the
cover. A second pair of boots kicked
out of the fog Again the hatch
opened and shut with bang. This
time water poured into the cabin
Norman thought of the wiring. of the
stout-hearted engine doing its best
Without the engine. If the wiring be-
came wet thai thin little Inc would
part in a second without the engine
there was no hope
third man glided the rope, hand
over hand; fourth; fifth. The
mist slit open and Norman peered
up through wet lashes. with aching.