The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-01
CHAPTER V-Continued

Norman thought suddenly of his
father when the skipper mentioned
MuSt2che. 1t was not good news
Julie had of him. :. NEED never
come back.
MY dad went ashore on Mustache
years ago." he said.
did, Ell? Well, he might "a done
worse. Might of come ON here to
Blind Mans Teeth. They'd of grabbed
him. Hungry? This is the hungriest
bit of coast l ever see, Erickson, and
/ know sight of them"
NOrman'S eyes sought the open lake.
THAT boats running north fast"
AYE, her skipper knows what he's
doing. Tryin' to make shelter O. Bat
tie Az head, | suppose. Well, here's
luck to him. Best light up. Steam
must be ready now, too"
The lamp sang out its humming
melody. Norman felt more at peace
with the light on duty. Blind Mans
Eye burned clear, come all the fOgs
of the inland seas, come cloud and
storm-rack, hurricane, sleet, lightnings,
come wrecks and wet death on the
teeth off the blasty point
Blind Mans Eye stayed wakeful, look
ing squarely into the face of its age
old enemy, the lake.
Already the steam whistle at Battle
AK island far. to the northwest was
moaning, two long drawn shores
across the wind. then four short blasts,
painting to keep up with the first two.
Norman hurried back to the signal
house at Captain Stockings heels.
There was hiss of steam and click
of small meticuous levers. In q ran
corous, contemptuOus howl, Blind
Mans voice screamed its answer to
Battle AK two short, one long,
two short.
''There she be-" Stocking rubbed
the glass of the gage with his spec
tacle chamOis. "Go report for supper.
Erickson. You first. It'll be an all.
night job out here''
Steve Sutton had appeared from
somewhere when Norman ran into the
kitchen. Sue knew how to cook. She
Still was In high humOr.
~ like wind!" she cried.
Norman shook his head. 81 don't"
81 like it," repeated Sue.
$50 does my father"
Steve Sutton looked up inQuisitively
hut did not speak.
Out In the dark the throat Of the
fog signal swelled with steam. Wind
pounded the glass of the kitchen win.
dOws, thumped their sash, squealed,
danced upon the panes. II had mad.
dened feet tonight.
Norman pushed back his plate.
There's more fish," Sue said.
mo. I have had enough" He
spoke defensively. Sue looked amused.
She would look more amused. Norman
reflected. If he told her all the gro
tesque, hideous thoughts that popped
into his head as soon as the wind be
gan to blow. Well, Ii wouldn't do TO
tell her. He'd better get out and re-
lieve her father. Strange, how he felt
tonight; not frightened as he used to
be when a boy, but not comfortable
That cursed wind! II blew the sense
right out. of his head. But Il never
blew out the tower lamp. Duty Is
duty. Let her STORM
Norman slid into his oiIskins and
b. butt0ned the sOu'wester under his chin.
Chill wet fingers of mist washed his
face as he opened the dor Blind
Mans Eye looked down mistily through
the damp thick air like q giant with
cataract. The boiler fires glOwed
red as he opened the door of the little
bux-like house. Captain Stocking had
lighted the hand lantern and hung II
back upon its hook.
"Your turn for supper" Norman
told him. "Sue says come quick. III
tend il here"
The captain stepped out into the
night. The signal hOwled. Wind an.
swered II promptly, shrieking defiance
at the flimsy appliance of man. Nor.
man stocked the fire.
II would be long night. He might
find book
The door burst open and Sue Stock
ing blew in Her eyes were shining.
Wind whooped across the squat roof.
Wonderful night !" she cried. "A
egular wildcat. couldn't stay In,
lidn't even wait to wash the dishes I"
81 don't like IT," Norman admitted
fatty. He observed the glow ON her
face. She was friendly tonight II
was easy to talk to her. Il was born
In thunderstorm" he confessed
Lots of persons are. was, my,
self Nothing remarkable about that
II didn't make me tongue-tied
or anythingl What about lit"
you? Born in lightnings?"
ABOARD ship. In the middle of
Lake Huron"
Norman tucked bewildered And
you like bad weather in spite of that
My mother told me =.