Part 24 (1/2)

Of course he did, for who could resist Paul Singleton; especially when the pa.s.sage could be made so much more quickly in the staunch little motor-boat than with his own clumsy craft.

In a short time they sallied out.

The cedar craft was a model of the boat builder's art, and carried a twelve-horse power engine, so that even though the wind and tide chanced to be against them they made steady progress toward the sh.o.r.e seen so dimly far across the sound.

Nearly every wave sent the spray flying high in the air as it struck the bow; but there was a hood to catch this, and besides both occupants of the motor-boat had donned oilskins before starting.

It was a long trip, nevertheless, for the wind continued to increase in force as the afternoon waned, and Darry, with a sailor's gift of foretelling what the weather was to be, predicted that the succeeding night must witness a storm such as had not visited the coast since the night he was cast ash.o.r.e.

Abner was delighted to see his boy, and it was not long before the party found shelter in the warm station, for the air was growing bitter.

”A bad night ahead!” said one of the surfmen, after greeting Darry, ”and worse luck, poor Tom here has broken his leg. Mr. Frazer is somethin' of a surgeon, and has set it, but as soon as this storm is over he must be taken home. It leaves us short a man if so be we are called out, unless some feller happens to run across before night, which is kinder unlikely.”

”I'd be only too glad to pull an oar, if necessary, and you couldn't find any better man,” said Darry, quickly, looking at Abner, who shook his head, dubiously.

”They may hev to take yuh, lad; but I hopes as how we aint gwine to be called out. It's a cruel night to fight the sea, an' only them as has been thar knows wot it means. Now come an' set down here, both on yuh, an' tell me all the news from hum. I seen somethin' in your eye, lad, thet tells me yuh knows sure a heap wuth hearin'. I hopes it's good news,” he said.

”Indeed it is, the best ever,” replied Darry, with bursting heart, and then as quickly as he could he told the whole story.

Poor Abner sat there, blinking, and hardly able to comprehend the wonderful change that had so suddenly come over his fortunes.

Unable to speak he could only stretch out his hand to Paul, and then turning to our hero looked at him with his very soul in his eyes.

After a little, when he became calmer, he asked many questions, and even had a quiet little laugh at the expense of Darius Quarles.

”That's the second time yuh see he's ben knocked out a-tryin' to rob me. Nancy done it fust a-fallin' into the water, and this time Darry here c.u.m to the front. Darius he must be concludin' he was borned under an unlucky star, 'specially wen he tackles Nancy Peake. I'd give somethin' to see the gal jest now,” he added wistfully as he tried to picture what she must look like when really and truly happy.

Long they talked, until an early supper was ready, and the men gathered about the table, while the wind shrieked and sighed about the corners of the station, telling of the severe labors the coming night would demand.

After the meal was finished nothing would do but that Darry must give them some music ere the first detail went out on their arduous duties in facing the cold storm.

Paul had known nothing of this accomplishment on the part of his new friend.

He sat there as though enthralled while Darry drew such weird strains from the little polished instrument in his hands that this young man, who had doubtless listened to many masters of the violin believed he had never in all his life heard such wonderful music.

Of course the strange surroundings had something to do with it, for there was a constant accompaniment of howling wind, with the surge of the wild surf beating time to the magic of the bow, and it seemed as though the player selected just such music as would be appropriate to such a setting.

Finally the first detail had to make ready for their long tramp along the beach, and m.u.f.fled in their oilskins they sallied forth.

Later on Abner and his companions expected to start out, for Paul was determined to learn all he could about this hard life of those who patrolled the coasts while the storms raged, a helpful auxiliary to the lighthouse department.

The men should have sought rest and sleep while they had the chance, but no one seemed desirous of lying down.

Tom, the poor fellow with the broken leg, was bearing up bravely, and only bemoaned the fact that, if there should be any necessity for the launching of the surfboat he could not do his duty.

Suddenly everyone started up.

Above the roar of the storm a sound had come that could not be anything other than the boom of a gun.