The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-08
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
I lie HIDDEN DOOR
eessesseessesese 81 % 20 e O.
BY FRANK Z. PACKARD


heading out into the Gulf or into the
transatlantic steamer tracks az any.
where else. Do you know what the
Bonaventure does In case Of fog?"
NO." Colin admitted. "rm afraid
l don't"
"rH tell you, then. She anchors
and waits. The Gulf produces the
genuine article in fogs. and we yield
to no one. not even London, in that
respect"
"Quite! sect" he agreed. But
not being able to drop anchor in
deep water, and not being the Bona
venture, what do we do under such
circumstances? Wend our way
homeward by skirting the shore,
and"
"And almost certainly wrecking
our boat?" she interjected. "For the
coastline to be of any use as guide.
don't you see how close in we would
have to keep? And there are tides
here. and half-covered rocks, and
shoals"
"Well, them" he challenged q
little helplessly.
WELL" she smiled at him, 1--WE
go ashore before it is too late-and,
like the Bonaventure and Captain
Rainville, wait"
Colin touched his cap.
Gall right. skipper!" he said
humbly. Whats the course?"
"No change" she said. Straight
for the point. We're nearer there
than anywhere else now anyhow. II
will take us about fifteen minutes.
and by that time well know. These
thin mists often disappear almost
as quickly as they come. and IL that
proves to be the case in this in.
stance, we'll continue on around the
point and make for the club just as
we intended to, do. If 1t gets bad,
we'll land"
Right" Colin responded.
IT wasn't getting any better out
there to seward. His eyes swept
the coastline in turn. They were q
longish way out. His lips frightened
o little. He did not like the way she
was speeding up the engine.
Five minutes passed. A fieecy
patch Of mist drifted across the bow
OF the boat. It was growing thick
out over the Gulf-gray-white. eerie-
looking. The point, though they had
been approaching it rapidly, was
less distinct.
II fancy we're in for It." Colin OBJ
served seriously.
"Yes," she said, land for one OF
those real ones | was speaking about.
I'm afraid. Wen have to land"
The boat sped on. The shore line
began to lose It's characterize sea.
ward. nothing but that gray-white
wall. 1t grew thicker still--a pail
settling down remorselessly every.
where around them. The point itself.
their objective. while still visible,
was. close though they were to It
now, only a hazy outline.
Germaine throttled down the en-.
CINE to half speed.
"You called me skipper a little
while ago. ! believer" she Ques-
toned with mock austerity.
Absolutely" he affirmed.
very we'll. them" she command.
ed, cup for'ard with youl It's just
about low tide. SO keep your eyes
open for partly covered rocks. and
also for q sandy spot to beach the
boat. Let me know when you have
way enough on to make the shore"
AYE. aye. sirl" he said heartily
and, making his way forward. took
up his allotted station In the bow.
1t was incredible. the opaqueness
Of this cursed fog and the sudden.
ness with which 1t had descended
upon them! He strained his eyes
ahead. The boats length seemed 20
be about the limit Of visibility: but
that looked like sandy stretch over
there q little to the left. He steered
for II.
"All right" he called out. "Shut
her OIL Way enough!"
And then the boat struck--struck
with an impact that caused her to
culver from bow TO stern. One OF
those internal rocks. half covered.
that Germaine had warned him
about! However, It had only been .
glanclng blow. The boat slipped OF
now into deep water again, and stiil
with some way on her forged on
toward the beach.
"All right" he called out again.
"Just q bump! No harm done!"
There was no answer. No good
natured Quip such ~ no had az
pected.
He Ierked his head around. look
ing over his shoulder.
He could see the length Of the
boat well enough-ths fog. dense as
It had become. did not preclude that.
She was lying there motionless on
the bottom OF the boat beside the
engine.
FceppfgAt. 1883. Frank Z. PaekardI
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