HoraceGreeleygaveanotherwallow，andfindinghimselffree，disappearedinthedarknessamidalatheroffoam。Thecarriage，nowwelloutinthechannel，driftedwiththecurrent。”Don’tcry，Pashy！”saidtheCaptain，endeavoringtocheerhissobbingcompanion，”weain’tsharkbaityit。Asthesongusedtosay:”’We’reafloat，we’reafloat，Andtheroverisfree。’”I’veshippedaboardof’mosteverykindofcraft，”headded，”butblessedifIeverexpectedtobeskipperofacarryall！”
ButMissPatience，shutupinthebackpartofthecarriagelikeawaternymphinhercave，stillwepthysterically。SoCaptainPerezcontinuedhisdismalattemptatfacetiousness。”Themainthing，”hesaid，”istokeepheronanevenkeel。Ifsheteeterstooneside，youteetertot’other。Dratthatfox！”heejaculated。”IthoughtwhenWeb’splaceburnedwe’dhadfireenoughtolastforonespell，butitneverrainsbutitpours。””Oh，dear！”sobbedthelady。”Noweverything’llburnup，andthey’llblamemeforit。Well，I’llbedrowndedanyway，soI
shan’tbetheretohear’em。Oh，dear！dear！””Oh，don’ttalkthatway。We’redriftin’somewheres，butwe’respinnin’’roundsoIcan’ttellwhichway。Judas！”heexclaimed，moresoberly，”Iremember，now；itain’tbutalittlepastseveno’clock，andthetide’sgoin’out。””Ofcourseitis，”resignedly，”andwe’lldriftintothebreakersinthebay，andthat’llbetheend。””No，no，Iguessnot。Weain’tdeadyit。IfIhadanoarorsomethin’tosteerthisclipperwith，maybewecouldgitintoshoalwater。As’tis，we’llhavetomanageherthewayOteWixonusedtomanagehiswife，bylettin’herhaveherownway。”
Theyfloatedinsilenceforafewmoments。ThenMissPatience，whohadbravelytriedtostiflehersobs，saidwithchatteringteeth，”Perez，I’mprettynighfrozetodeath。”
ItwillberememberedthattheCaptainhadspokenoftheweatherasbeingalmostaswarmassummer。Thiswasaslightexaggeration。
Ithappened，fortunatelyforthecastaways，thatthisparticularnight，comingasitdidjustattheendofthelongthaw，wasthemildestofthewinterandtherewasnowind，buttheairwaschill，andthedampfograwandbiting。”Well，nowyoumentionit，”saidCaptainPerez，”itIScold，ain’tit？I’veagoodmindtojumpoverboard，andtrytoswimashoreandtowthecarryall。””Don’tyouDOit！Myland！ifYOUshoulddrownwhatwouldbecomeofME？”
Itwasthetoneofthisspeech，asmuchasthewords，thathittheCaptainhard。Hehimselfalmostsobbedashesaid:”Pashy，Iwantyoutotrytogitoveronthisfrontseatwithme。
ThenIcanputmycoat’roundyou，andyouwon’tbesocold。Takeholdofmyhand。”
MissPatienceatfirstprotestedthatshenevercoulddoitintheworld，thecarriagewouldupset，andthatwouldbetheend。Buthercompanionurgedhertotry，andatlastshedidso。Itwasariskyproceeding，butshereachedthefrontseatsomehow，andthecarryallstillremainedright-side-up。Luckily，inthechannelbetweenthebeachestherewasnottheslightestsemblanceofawave。
CaptainPerezpulledoffhiscoat，andwrappeditabouthisprotestingcompanion。Hewasobligedtoholditinplace，andhefoundthetaskratherpleasing。”Oh，you’reSOgood！”murmuredMissPatience。”WhatshouldIhavedonewithoutyou？””Hush！Guessyou’dhavebeenbetteroff。You’dnevergoneafterthatfoxifithadn’tbeenforme，andtherewouldn’thavebeennoneofthisfuss。””Oh，don’tsaythat！You’vebeensobrave。Anyhow，we’lldietogether，that’sacomfort。””Pashy，”saidCaptainPerezsolemnly，”it’smightygoodtohearyousaythat。”
Itis，perhaps，needlesstoexplainthatthe”dying”portionofthelady’sspeechwasnotthatreferredtobytheCaptain；theword”together”waswhatappealedtohim。MissPatienceapparentlyunderstood。”Isit？”shesaidsoftly。”Yes——yes，’tis。”Thearmholdingthecoataboutthelady’sshouldertightenedjustalittle。TheCaptainhadoftendreamedofsomethinglikethis，butneverwithquitethesesurroundings。
However，hewasrapidlybecomingoblivioustosuchtrivialdetailsassurroundings。”Pashy，”hesaidhuskily，”I’vebeenthinkin’ofyouconsider’blelately。Factis，I——I——well，Icomedownto-daya-purposetoaskyousomethin’。Iknowit’saqueerplacetoaskit，and——andI
s’poseit’skindofsudden，but——will——willyou——Breakers！bymighty！”
Thecarryallhadsuddenlybeguntorock，andtherewerestreaksoffoamaboutit。Now，itgaveamostalarmingheave，grounded，swungclear，andtippedyetmore。”We’recapsizin’，”yelledPerez。”Hangontome，Pashy！”
ButMissPatiencedidn’tintendtoletthis，perhapsthefinalopportunity，slip。Asshetoldherbrotherafterward，shewouldhavemadehimsayittheniftheyhadbeen”twofathomunderwater。””WillIwhat，Perez？”shedemanded。
Thecarryallroseontwowheelsandbeguntoturnover，buttheCaptaindidnotnoticeit。Thearmsofhisheart’sdesirewereabouthisneck，andhewaslookingintohereyes。”Willyoumarryme？”hegasped。”Yes，”answeredMissPatience，andtheywentundertogether。
TheCaptainstaggeredtohisfeet，anddraggedhischosenbridetohers。Theice-coldwaterreachedtheirshoulders。And，likeaflash，astheystoodthere，cameatorrentofrainandawindthatdrovethefogbeforeitlikesmoke。CaptainPerezsawtheshore，withitssilhouettedbushes，onlyafewyardsaway。Beyondthat，intheblackness，wasalight，aflickeringblaze，thatroseandfellandroseandfellagain。
TheCaptaindraggedMissPatiencetothebeach。”Run！”hechattered，”run，orwe’llturnintoicicles。Comeon！”
WithhisarmaboutherwaistPerezguidedhisdrippingcompanion，asfastastheycouldrun，towardthelight。Andastheycamenearertoittheysawthatitflickeredabouttheblackenedruinsofahen-houseandalathfence。
ItwasMrs。Mayo’shenhouse，andMrs。Mayo’sfence。Theiradventurousjourneyhadendedwhereitbegan。”Yousee，Eri，”saidCaptainPerez，ashetoldhisfriendthestorythatnight，”thatclockinthediningroomthatIlookedathadn’tbeengoin’foraweek；themainspringwasbroke。’Twa’n’tseveno’clock，’twasnearerninewhenthefirestarted，andthetidewa’n’tgoin’out，’twascomin’in。Idroveintothewatertoosoon，missedthecrossin’，andwejestdriftedbackhomeag’in。
ThehorsehadmoresensethanIdid。Wefoundhiminthebarnwaitingforus。”
AbnerMayohadpiledagainstthebackofhisbarnagreatheapofdampseaweedthatheintendedusinginthespringasafertilizer。
Thefirehadburneduntilitreachedthisseaweedandthenhadgonenofurther。Therainextinguishedthelastspark。”Well，bymighty！”exclaimedCaptainPerezforatleastthetenthtime，ashesatinthekitchen，wrappedinanoldulsterofMr。
Mayo’s，andtoastinghisfeetintheoven，”ifIdon’tfeellikeafool。Allthatscareandwetfornothin’。””Oh，notfornothin’，Perez，”saidMissPatience，lookingtenderlydownintohisface。”Well，no，notfornothin’byagooddeal！I’vegotyoubyit，andthat’severything。Butsay，Pashy！”andtheCaptainlookedawedbythecoincidence，”Iwentthroughfireandwatertogityou！”
CHAPTERXVIII
THESINSOFCAPTAINJERRY
CaptainPerezmadeacleanbreastofittoCaptainEriwhenhereachedhomethatnight。Itwasaftertwelveo’clock，butheroutedhisfriendoutofbedtotellhimthenewsandthestory。
CaptainEriwasnotassurprisedtohearoftheengagementashepretendedtobe，forhehadlongagomadeuphismindthatPerezmeantbusinessthistime。Butthetaleofthefireandthevoyageinthecarryalltickledhimimmensely，andherolledbackandforthintherockerandlaugheduntilhissideached。”Is’poseitdoessoundkindofridic’lous，”saidtheacceptedsuitorinaratheraggrievedtone，”butitwa’n’tha’fsofunnywhen’twasgoin’on。FustIthoughtI’droasttodeath，thenI
thoughtI’dfreeze，andthenIthoughtI’ddrown。””Perez，”saidthepantingEri，”you’reawonder。I’mgoin’totellSolBangs’boutyounexttimeIseehim。He’llwantyoutoenterintheracesnextFourthofJuly。We’vehadtubracesandthelikeofthat，butacarryallsailin’match’llbesomethin’new。I’llbackyouagainstthetown，though。Youcancountonme。””Now，lookhere，EriHedge，ifyoutellalivin’soul’boutit，I’ll——””Allright，shipmate，allright；butit’stoogoodtokeep。Yououghttowriteabook，oneofthemkindlikeJosiahusedtoread。
Callit’TheCarryallPirate，orTheTerroroftheChannel，’hey？
Gee！you’dbefamous！But，say，oldman，”headdedmoreseriously，”I’llshakehandswithyou。Ib’lieveyou’vegotagoodwoman，onethat’llmakeitsmoothsailin’foryoutherestofyourlife。I
wishyoubothluck。”
CaptainPerezshookhandsverygravely。Hewasstillalittlesuspiciousofhischum’spropensitytotease。Itdidnottendtomakehimlessuneasywhen，alittlelater，CaptainEriopenedtheparlordoorandwhispered，”Say，Perez，I’vejestthoughtofsome-
thin’。Whatareyougoin’tosaytoM’lissyBusteed？Herheart’llbebroke。””Aw，gitout！”wasthedisgustedanswer。”Well，Ionlymentionedit。Folkshavehadtopayheavyforbreachofpromise’forenow。Good-night。”
Perezmanfullytoldofhisengagementatthebreakfasttablenextmorning，althoughhesaidnothingconcerningtherestofhisadventures。Hewasrathertakenabacktofindthatnooneseemedgreatlysurprised。Everyonecongratulatedhim，ofcourse，anditwasgratifyingtodiscernthehighopinionofthefutureMrs。RyderheldbyMrs。Snowandtherest。CaptainJerrysolemnlyshookhandswithhimafterthemealwasoverandsaid，”Perez，youdonetherightthing。There’snothin’likemarriedlife，afterall。””Thenwhydon’tyoutryityourself？”wastheunexpectedquestion。”Seemstomewe’llhavetosettlethatmatterofyoursprettysoon。
ImeanttospeaktoEri’boutit’forethis，butI’vehadsomuchonmymind。Iwillto-nightwhenhecomesbackfromfishin’。”
CaptainJerrymadenofurtherremarks，butwalkedthoughtfullyaway。
Sothatevening，whentheyweretogetherinCaptainJerry’sroomaftersupper，Perez，truetohispromise，said:”Eri，itseemstomewe’vegottodosomethin’’boutMrs。Snow。
ShewashiredtobehousekeeperwhileJohnwassick。Nowhe’sdead，andshe’llthinkit’squeerifwedon’tsettlethatmarryin’
bus’ness。Ain’tthatso？””Humph！”gruntedCaptainJerry。”Perezisinamightysweattogitotherfolksmarriedjest’causehe’sgoin’tobe。Idon’tseewhyshecan’tkeeponbein’housekeeperjestthesameasshe’salwaysbeen。””Well，Ido，andsodoyou，andyouknowit。Weagreedtothehousekeepin’bus’nessjestasasortofputoff。Nowwecan’tputoffnolonger。Mrs。Snowcomedownhere’causeweadvertisedforawife，andshe’sbeensoeverlastin’goodthatIfeel’mostashamedeverytimeIthinkofit。Nouse，you’vegottoaskhertomarryyou。Hehas，hasn’the，Eri？””Yes，”answeredCaptainErilaconically。
Thesacrificesquirmed。”Ihatetoask，”hesaid。”Whydon’twewaitaspell，andlethersaysomethin’fust？””ThatWOULDbenice，wouldn’tit？She’sthatkindofawoman，ain’tshe？”sputteredPerez。”No，youbetsheain’t！Whatshe’dsaywouldbetogiveheropinionofusandourmanners，andwalkoutofthehousebagandbaggage，andIwouldn’tblameherfordoin’it。””P’rapsshewouldn’thaveme。Sheneversaidshewould。””Neversaidshewould！Haveyoueveraskedher？She’shadallthistimetol’arntoknowyouin，andIcal’lateifshewaswillin’tothink’boutit’foresheeverseeyou，she’dbemorewillin’now。Ain’tthatso，Eri？
AndagainCaptainErisaidshortly，”Yes。””Iwishyou’dmindyourownconsarns，andgivemetime，”protestedCaptainJerry。”Time！Howmuchtimedoyouwant？LandofGoshen！Ishouldthinkyou’dhadtimeenough。Why——””Oh，letup！”snortedthepersecuted。”Whydon’tyougitmarriedyourself，andbringPashyovertokeephouse？Whatwestartedtogitinthefustplacewasjestawifeforoneofusthatwouldkeepthingsshipshape，andnow——”
ThewitheringlookofscornthatPerezbentuponhimcausedhimtohesitateandstop。CaptainPerezhaughtilymarchedtothedoor。”Eri，”hesaid，”Iain’tgoin’towastemytimetalkin’toa——adogfishlikehim。Heain’twuthit。””Holdon，now，Perez！”pleadedthediscomfitedsacrifice，alarmedathiscomrade’sthreateneddesertion。”Iwasonlyfoolin’。Can’tyoutakeajoke？Ihaven’tsaidIwouldn’tdoit。IthinkaheapofMrs。Snow；it’sonlythatIain’tgotthespunktoaskher，that’sall。””Humph！itdon’ttakemuchspunk，”repliedthesuccessfulwooer，forgetfulofhisownpasttrepidation。”Well，”CaptainJerrywriggledandtwisted，butsawnoloophole。”Well，givemeamonthtogitupmycourageinand——””Amonth！Amonth’sridic’lous；ain’tit，Eri””Yes。””Well，threeweeks，then。”
Thisoffer，too，wasrejected。ThenCaptainJerryheldoutforafortnight——fortendays。Finally，itwassettledthatwithinoneweekfromthatverynighthewastoofferhisheartandhandtotheladyfromNantucket。Hepledgedhissolemnwordtodoit。”There！”exclaimedthegratifiedCaptainPerez。”That’sagoodjobdone。Hewon’tneverbesorryforit，willhe，Eri？”
AndCaptainErimadehisfourthcontributiontotheconversation。”No，”hesaid。
Josiahwentuptothepost-officelateintheafternoonofthenextday。The”ableseaman”wasbehavinghimselfremarkablywell。HehadbecomearealhelptoCaptainEri，andthelattersaidthatsailingalonewouldbedoublyhardwhenhisforemasthandwentbacktoschoolagain，whichhewastodoveryshortly，forJosiahmeanttoaccepttheCaptain’soffer，andtotryfortheAnnapolisappointmentwhenthetimecame。
Theboycamebackwiththemailandanitemofnews。Themail，apaperonly，hehandedtoMrs。Snow，andthenewsheannouncedatthesuppertableasfollows:”Mr。Hazeltine’sgoin’toleavethecablestation，”hesaid。”Goin’toleave！”repeatedthehousekeeper，”whatfor？””Idon’tknow，ma’am。AllIknowiswhatIheardMr。Wingatesay。
HesaidMr。Hazeltinewasgoin’togetthroughoveratthestationprettysoon。Hesaidoneoftheoperatorstoldhimso。””Well，fortheland’ssake！Didyouknowanything’boutit，Eri？””Why，yes，alittle。ImetHazeltineyesterday，andhetoldmethatsomefolksoutWesthadmadehimaprettygoodoffer，andhedidn’tknowwhethertotakeitornot。Saidthesalarywasgood，andthewholethinglookedsortoftemptin’。Hehadn’tdecidedwhattodoyit。That’sallthereistoit。”
Therewaslittleelsetalkedaboutduringthemeal。CaptainPerez，CaptainJerry，andMrs。Snowargued，surmised，andquestionedCaptainEri，whosaidlittle。Elsiesaidalmostnothing，andwenttoherroomshortlyafterthedisheswerewashed。”Humph！”exclaimedCaptainPerez，whentheywerealone，”Iguessyourmatch-makin’scheme’supspout，Jerry。”
And，forawonder，CaptainJerrydidnotcontradicthim。
Theweatherchangedthatnight，anditgrewcoldrapidly。Inthemorningthepumpwasfrozen，andCaptainJerryandMrs。Snowspentsometimeandmuchenergyinthawingitout。Itwaslaterthanusualwhentheformersetoutfortheschoolhouse。Ashewasputtingonhiscap，Elsiesuggestedthathewaitforher，asshehadsomelessonstoprepare，andwantedanhourorsotoherselfatherdesk。Sotheywalkedontogetherunderacloudysky。Themudintheroadwasfrozenintoallsortsoffantasticshapes，andthelittlepuddleshadturnedtoice。”Thatthawwasaweather-breeder，sureenough，”observedCaptainJerry。”We’llgitastormoutofthis，’forewe’redone。””Itseemstome，”saidElsie，”thatthewinterhasbeenaverymildone。FromwhatIhadheardIsupposedyoumusthavesomedreadfulgaleshere，buttherehasbeennonesofar。””We’llgit’emyit。February’sjistthetime。Gitagoodno’theastergoin’，andyou’llthinkthewholehouseiscomin’down。
Nothin’towhattheyusedtohave，though，’cordin’totell。Cap’nJonadabWixonusedtoswearthathisgrandfathertoldhim’boutagalethatblewthehairalloffadog，andthenthewindchangedofasudden，andblewitallonagain。”
Elsielaughed。”Thatmusthavebeenablow，”shesaid。”Yes。Cap’nJonadab’ssomethin’ofablowhimself，soheoughttobeagoodjedge。Theouterbeachistheplacethatcatchesitwhenthere’sagaleon。Oh，say！thatremindsme。Is’poseyouwasgladtohearthenewslastnight？””Whatnews？””Why，that’boutMr。Hazeltine’sgoin’away。You’regladhe’sgoin’，ofcourse。”
MissPrestondidnotanswerimmediately。Instead，sheturnedandlookedwonderinglyathercompanion。”WhyshouldIbeglad，pray？”sheasked。”Why，Idon’tknow。Ijesttookitforgrantedyouwouldbe。Youdidn’twanthimtocomeandseeyou，andifhewasgonehecouldn’tcome，so——””Justaminute，please。WhatmakesyouthinkIdidn’twantMr。
Hazeltinetocall？”
AndnowitwastheCaptain’sturntostareandhesitate。”Whatmakesmethink——”hegasped。”Why——youtoldmeso，yourself。””_I_toldyouso？I’mcertainthatInevertoldyouanythingofthekind。”
CaptainJerrystoodstock-still，andifeverafaceexpressedcompleteamazement，itwashis。”ElsiePreston！”heejaculated，”areyoulosin’yourmem’ryorwhat？Didn’tyoupitchintomehot-footforlettin’himbealonewithyou？Didn’tyougiveme’harkfromthetomb’forgittin’upandgoin’away？Didn’tyousayhiscallswasperfecttorturetoyou，andthatyouhadtobedecenttohimjestoutofcommonpoliteness？Now，didn’tyou？””Oh，thatwasit！No，ofcourseIdidn’tsayanysuchthing。””YouDIDN’T！Why，Iheardyou！Landoflove！myearssmartedforaweekafterward。Iain’thadsechagoin’oversencemotherusedtogitatmeforgoin’inswimmin’onSunday。Andnowyousayyoudidn’tsayit。””Ididn’t。Youmisunderstoodme。Ididobjecttoyourleavingtheroomeverytimehecalled，andmakingmeappearsoridiculous；andIdidsaythathisvisitsmightbeatortureforallthatyouknewtothecontrary，butIcertainlydidn’tsaythattheyWERE。””SUFFERIN’！Andyouain’tgladhestoppedcomin’？”
Theairofcompleteindifferenceassumedbytheyoungladywasatriumph。”Why，ofcourse，”shesaid，”Mr。Hazeltineisafreeagent，andI
don’tknowofanyreasonwhyheshouldbecompelledtogowherehedoesn’twishtogo。Ienjoyedhissociety，andI’msureCaptainEriandMrs。Snowenjoyedit，too；butitisquiteevidentthathedidnotenjoyours，soIdon’tseethatthereneedbeanymoresaidonthesubject。”
CaptainJerrywascompletelycrushed。IfthegaledescribedbytheredoubtablegrandsireofJonadabWixonhadstruckhim，hecouldnothavebeenmoreupset。”My！my！my！”hemurmured。”Andaftermybeggin’hispardonandall！””Begginghispardon？Forwhat？””Why，forleavin’youtwoalone。Ofcourse，afteryoupitchedintomesoIseehowfoolishI’dbeenactin’，andI——honest，Ididn’tsleepscurselyabitthatnightthinkin’’boutit。ThinksI，’IfElsiefeelsthatway，why，thereain’tnodoubtthatMr。Hazeltinefeelsthesame。’Therewa’n’tbutonethingtobedone。Whenamanmakesamistake，ifheisanykindofaman，heownsup，anddoeshisbesttostraightenthingsout。’Twa’n’teasytodo，butduty’sduty，andthenexttimeIseeMr。HazeltineItoldhimthewholething，and——””YouDID！””SartinIdid。””Whatdidyoutellhim？”
Theyhadstoppedonthesidewalknearlyoppositethepost-office。
Eachwastoomuchengrossedintheconversationtopayanyheedtoanythingelse。Ifthefewpassersbythoughtitstrangethattheschoolmistressshouldcaretoloiteroutofdoorsonthatcoldanddisagreeablemorning，theysaidnothingaboutit。Oneyoungmaninparticular，who，standingjustinsidethepost-officedoor，wasbuttoninghisovercoatandputtingonhisgloves，lookedearnestlyatthepair，buthe，too，saidnothing。”Why，Itoldhim，”saidCaptainJerry，inreplytothequestion，”howyoudidn’tliketohavemegooutoftheroomwhenhewasthere。Course，ItoldhimIdidn’tmeantodonothin’outoftheway。Thenheaskedmesomemorequestions，andIanswered’embestIcould，and——well，Iguessthat’s’boutall。””DidyoutellhimthatIsaidhisvisitswereatorture？””Why——”theCaptainshuffledhisfeetuneasily——”seemstomeIsaidsomethin’’boutit——notjestthat，youknow，butsomethin’。Factis，Iwassomuddle-headedandupsetthatIdon’tknowexactlywhatIdidsay。Anyhow，hesaid’twasallright，sothereain’tnothin’
toworry’bout。””CaptainJeremiahBurgess！”exclaimedElsie。Thensheadded，”WhatMUSThethinkofme？””Oh，I’llfixthat！”exclaimedtheCaptain。”I’llseehimsometimeto-day，andI’lltellhimyoudidn’tmeanit。Why，Ideclare！
Yes，’tis！Thereheis，now！Hi！Mr。Hazeltine！Comehereaminute。”
AmischievousimpwascertainlydirectingCaptainJerry’smovements。
Ralphhad，almostforthefirsttimesincehecametoOrham，paidanearlymorningvisittotheofficeinordertosendanimportantletterinthefirstmail。TheslammingofthedoorhadattractedtheCaptain’sattentionand，inresponsetothehail，Mr。Hazeltinecrossedtheroad。
AndthenCaptainJerryfelthisarmclutchedwithagripthatmeantbusiness，asMissPrestonwhispered，”Don’tyoudaresayonewordtohimaboutit。Don’tyouDARE！”
IfRalphhadbeensurprisedbytherequesttojointhecouple，hewasmoresurprisedbythereceptionhereceived。Elsie’sfacewascrimson，andasfortheCaptain，helookedlikeamanwhohadsuddenlybeenleftstandingaloneinthemiddleofapondcoveredwithverythinice。
Theelectricianbowedandshookhandsgravely。Asnoremarkseemedtobeforthcomingfromthosewhohadsummonedhim，heobservedthatitwasanunpleasantmorning。ThiscommonplaceremindedhimofonesomewhatsimilarthathehadmadetoasupposedMiss”Gusty”Black，andhe，too，colored。”Didyouwanttospeakwithme，Captain？”heasked，tocoverhisconfusion。”Why——why，Idid，”stammeredpoorCaptainJerry，”but——butIdon’tknow’sIdonow。”Thenherealizedthatthiswasnotexactlycomplimentary，andadded，”Thatis，Idon’tknow——Idon’tknow’sI——
Elsie，whatwasitIwasgoin’tosaytoMr。Hazeltine？”
Atanothertimeitislikelythattheyounglady’squickwitwouldhavehelpedheroutofthedifficulty，butnowshewastoomuchdisturbed。”I’msureIdon’tknow，”shesaidcoldly。”Youdon’tknow！Why，yesyoudo？’Twas——’twas——”TheCaptainwasfranticallygraspingatstraws。”Why，wewaswonderin’whyyoudidn’tcometoseeusnowadays。”
IftheCaptainhadseenthelookthatElsieshotathim，ashedeliveredthisbrilliantobservation，hemighthavebeenmore，insteadofless，uncomfortable。Asitwas，hefeltratherproudofhavingdiscoveredawayoutofthedifficulty。ButRalph’sembarrassmentincreased。Hehurriedlysaidsomethingabouthavingbeenverybusy。”Well，”wentontheCaptain，intentonmakingtheexplanationasplausibleaspossible，”we’vemissedyouconsider’ble。Wewassayin’wehopedyouwouldn’tgiveusupaltogether。Ain’tthatso，Elsie？”
MissPreston’sfoottappedthesidewalkseveraltimes，butsheanswered，thoughnoteffusively:”Mr。Hazeltineisalwayswelcome，ofcourse。”Then，sheadded，turningaway，”Really，CaptainJerry，Imusthurrytoschool。I
haveagreatdealofworktodobeforenineo’clock。Good-morning，Mr。Hazeltine。”
TheCaptainpausedlongenoughtosay，”We’llexpectyounow，socome，”andthenhurriedafterher。Hewasfeelingverywellsatisfiedwithhimself。”Bymighty！Elsie，”hechuckled，”Igotoutofthatnice，didn’tI？”
Hereceivednoanswer，evenwhenherepeatedtheremark，and，althoughheendeavored，ashesweptouttheschoolroom，toengagetheteacherinconversation，herreplieswereascoldastheywereshort。TheCaptainwenthomeinthelaststagesofdismalness。
Thatafternoon，whenCaptainErireturnedfromthefishinggrounds，hefoundCaptainJerrywaitingforhimattheshanty。ThehumiliatedmatchmakersentJosiahuptothegrocerystoreonanerrand，andthendraggedhisfriendinsideandshutthedoor。
CaptainErilookedatthewoe-begonefacewithsomeconcern。”Whatailsyou，Jerry？”hedemanded。”Haveyou——haveyouspokentoMrs。Snow’boutthat——thatmarriage？””No，Iain’t，Eri，butI’minaturriblemess，andIdon’tknowwhy，neither。SeemstomethemoreItrytodoforotherfolksthewussoffIam；and，insteadofgittin’thanks，allIgitisblame。””Why，what’sthematter？””Well，nowIknowyou’llthinkI’mafool，and’lljestpesterthelifeoutofme。Seehere，EriHedge！IfItellyouwhatIwantto，willyoupromisenottopitchintome，andnottonagandpokefun？Ifyoudon’tpromiseIwon’ttellonesingleword，nomatterwhathappens。”
SoCaptainEripromised，andthenCaptainJerry，stammeringandhesitating，unburdenedhismindofthewholeaffair，tellingofhisfirstreproofbyElsie，his”explanation”toRalph，andthesubsequentdevelopments。Longbeforehefinished，CaptainEriroseand，walkingovertothedoor，stoodlookingoutthroughthedimpaneatthetop，whilehisshouldersshookasiftherewasasmotheredearthquakeinside。”There！”exclaimedtheinjuredmatrimonialagent，inconclusion。”There’sthewholefoolthing，andI’mostwishI’dneverseeneitherof’em。IthoughtIdidfust-ratethismornin’whenIwastryin’tothinkupsomethin’toshowwhyIhailedHazeltine，butno，Elsiewon’thardlyspeaktome。Iwishtogoodnessyou’dtellmewhattodo。”
CaptainEriturnedawayfromthedoor。Hiseyeswerewatery，andhisfacewasred，buthemanagedtosay:”Oh，Jerry，Jerry！Yourheart’sbigasabucket，butfishin’’smoreinyourlinethangittin’folksmarriedtoorderis，I’m’fraid。Youstayhere，andunloadthemfishinthedory。Thereain’tmanyof’em，andJosiah’llhelpwhenhegitsback。I’mgoin’outforafewminutes。”
Hewentdowntothebeach，climbedintoadorybelongingtoaneighbor，andCaptainJerrysawhimrowawayinthedirectionofthecablestation。
Thatevening，afterthedisheswerewashedandthetablecleared，therecameaknockatthedoor。Mrs。Snowopenedit。”Why，forgoodnesssake！Mr。Hazeltine！”sheexclaimed。”Comerightin。Whatastrangeryouare！”
Ralphentered，shookthesnow，whichhadjustbeguntofall，fromhishatandcoat，tookoffthesearticles，inresponsetotheheartyinvitationofCaptainEri，andshookhandswithallpresent。
Elsie’sfacewasaninterestingstudy。CaptainJerrylookedscared。
Afterafewminutes’talk，CaptainErirose。”Mrs。Snow，”hesaid，”comeupstairsalittlewhile。Iwanttotalktoyou’boutsomethin’。Youcome，too，Jerry。”
CaptainJerrylookedfromElsietothespeaker，andthentoElsieagain。ButCaptainEri’shandwasonhisarm，andheroseandwent。
Elsiewatchedthiswholesaledesertionwithamazement。Thenthedooropenedagain，andCaptainEriputinhishead。”Elsie，”hesaid，”Ijestwanttotellyouthatthisismydoin’s，notJerry’s。That’sall。”Andthedoorshut。
Elsiefacedthecallerwithastonishmentwrittenonherface。”Mr。Hazeltine，”shesaidicily，”youmayknowwhatthismeans，butIdon’t。”
Ralphlookedatherandansweredsolemnly，butwithatwinkleinhiseye:”I’mafraidIcanguess，MissPreston。YouseeCaptainJerrypaidCaptainEriacallthisafternoonand，asaresult，CaptainEricalleduponme。Then，asaresultofTHAT，I——well，Icamehere。”
Theyoungladyblushedfuriously。”WhatdidCaptainEritellyou？”
shedemanded。”JustwhatCaptainJerrytoldhim。””Andthatwas？””WhatyoutoldCaptainJerrythismorningconcerningsomethingthatyoutoldhimbefore，Ibelieve。”
Therewasnoanswertothis。MissPrestonlookedasifshehadamindtorunoutoftheroom，thenasifshemightcry，andfinallyasifshewantedtolaugh。”Ihumblyapologize，”saidtheelectriciancontritely。”YOUapologize？Forwhat？””FormystupidityinbelievingthatCaptainJerrywastobeacceptedseriously。””Youwereexcusable，certainly。AndnowImustapologize；alsofortakingtheCaptaintooseriously。””SupposewepairtheapologiesastheydothevotesintheSenate。
Thenonewilloffsettheother。””I’mafraidthatisn’tfair，fortheblunderwasallonmypart。””Well，ifwecan’tpairapologies，supposewepairblunders。I
don’tacceptyourstatementofguilt，mind，butsinceyouaredeterminedtoshoulderit，wemightputitononesideandontheotherwe’llput——””What？””’Gusty’Black。”
Andthentheybothlaughed。
AlittlelaterCaptainEriknockedatthedoor。”Isitsafeforafellertocomein？”heasked。”Well，”saidElsieseverely，”Idon’tknowwhethertalebearersshouldbeadmittedornot，butiftheydocometheymustbegpardonforinterferinginotherpeople’saffairs。””Ma’am，”andtheCaptainmadeaprofoundbow，”Ihopeyou’llbeso’kindandcondescendin’，andstoopsolow，andbesobendin’’astoforgiveme。And，whileI’m’boutit，I’llapologizeforJerry，too。””No，sir，”saidtheyoungladydecidedly。”CaptainJerrymustapologizeforhimself。CaptainJeremiahBurgess，”shecalledupthestairway，”comeintocourt，andanswerforyoursins。”
AndCaptainJerrytremblinglycame。
CHAPTERXIX
A”NO’THEASTER”BLOWS
Ithadbeguntosnowearlyintheevening，alightfallatfirst，butgrowingheaviereveryminute，and，astheflakesfellthickerandfaster，thewindbegantoblow，anditsforceincreasedsteadily。Ralph，hearingthegustsastheyswoopedaboutthecornersofthehouse，andthe”swish”ofthesnowasitwasthrownagainstthewindowpanes，severaltimesrosetogo，butCaptainEriineachinstanceurgedhimtostayalittlelonger。Finally，theelectricianrebelled。”Ishouldliketostay，Captain，”hesaid，”buthowdoyouthinkI
amgoingtogetovertothestationifthisstormgrowsworse，asitseemstobedoing？””Idon’tthink，”wasthecalmreply。”You’regoin’tostayhere。””Well，Iguessnot。””Iguessyes。S’posewe’regoin’toletyoutrytorowovertothebeachanightlikethis？It’sdarker’nanigger’spocket，andblowin’andsnowin’greatgunsbesides。Jestyoulookouthere。”
Herose，beckonedtoRalph，andthenopenedtheouterdoor。Hehadtouseconsiderablestrengthtodothis，andagustofwindandasmallavalancheofsnowroaredin，andsentthelighterarticlesflyingfromthetable。Elsiegavealittlescream，andMrs。Snowexclaimed，”Fortheland’ssake，shutthatdoorthisminute！
Everything’llbesoppin’wet。”
TheCaptainpulledthedoorshutagain，anddroppedthehookintothestaple。”Nicenightforapull，ain’tit？”heobserved，smiling。”No，sir，I’vehearditcomin’on，andImadeupmymindyou’dhavetostayondrylandforaspell，nomatterifallcreationwantedyouont’otherside。”
Ralphlookedtroubled。”Ioughttobeatthestation，”hesaid。”Maybeso，butyouain’t，andyou’llhavetoputupatthisboardin’housetillmornin’。Whenit’sdaylightoneofus’llsetyouacross。Mr。Langleyain’tfoolish。Hewon’texpectyouto-
night。””Now，Mr。Hazeltine，”saidthehousekeeper，”youmightjestaswellgiveitupfustaslast。YouKNOWyoucan’tgoovertothatstationjestaswellasIdo。”
SoRalphdidgiveitup，althoughratheragainsthiswill。Therewasnothingofimportancetobedone，buthefeltalittlelikeadeserter，nevertheless。”Perezwon’tgithomeneither，”observedCaptainEri。”He’ssnowedin，too。”
CaptainPerezhadthatafternoongonedowntotheMayohomesteadtotaketeawithMissDavis。”Githome！Ishouldthinknot！”saidMrs。Snowdecidedly。”Pashy’sgottoomuchsensetolethimtryit。””Well，Elsie，”commentedCaptainJerry，”Itoldyouwe’dhaveano’theaster’forethewinterwasover。Iguessthere’llbegaleenoughtosatisfyyou，now。Noschoolto-morrer。””Well，that’ssettled！Let’sbecomf’table。Ain’ttheresomeofthatciderdowncellar？Where’sthepitcher？”AndCaptainErihurriedofftofindit。
Whenbedtimecametherewassomeargumentastowheretheguestshouldsleep。Ralphinsistedthatthehairclothsofaintheparlorwasjustthething，butCaptainEriwouldn’thearofit。”Haircloth’sallrighttolookat，”hesaid，”butit’stheslipperieststuffthateverwas，Ical’late。EverytimeIsetonahairclothchairIfeel’sifIwasdraggin’anchor。”
Thecotwasdeclaredineligible，also，andthequestionwasfinallysettledbyJosiahandCaptainErigoingupstairstotheroomonceoccupiedbyJohnBaxter，whileRalphtookthatwhichtheyvacated。
Itwassometimebeforehefellasleep。Thegaleseemedtobetearingloosetheeternalfoundations。Thehouseshookandthebedtrembledasifagreathandwasmovingthem，andthesnowslappedagainstthewindowstillitseemedthattheymustbreak。
Inthemorningtherewaslittlechangeintheweather。Thesnowhadturnedtoasleet，halfrain，thatstucktoeverythingandcoateditwithice。Thewindwasblowingashardasever。CaptainEriandRalph，standingjustoutsidethekitchendoor，andintheleeofthebarn，pausedtowatchthestormforaminutebeforetheywentdowntothebeach。Atintervalstheycaughtglimpsesofthesnow-coveredroofsofthefishshanties，andthewateroftheinnerbay，blackandthreateningandscarredwithwhitecaps；thenanothergustwouldcome，andtheycouldscarcelyseethepostsattheyardgate。”Thinkyouwanttogoover，doyou？”askedtheCaptain。”Icertainlydo，ifIcangetthere。””Oh，wecangitthereallright。I’verowedadoryagoodmanytimeswhen’twasasbadasthis。Thisain’tnopicnicday，though，that’safact，”headded，astheycrossedtheyard，andcaughtthefullforceofthewind。”Luckyyouputonthemileskins。”
RalphwasarrayedinCaptainJerry’s”dirty-weatherrig，”andalthough，asCaptainErisaid，thegarmentsfittedhim”likeashirtonahandspike，”theywereveryacceptable。
Theyfoundthedorycoveredwithsnowandhalf-fullofslush，andittooksomefewminutestogetherintocondition。Whenthiswasaccomplishedtheyhauledherdowntotheshore，andCaptainEri，standingknee-deepinwater，steadiedherwhileRalphclimbedin。
ThentheCaptaintumbledinhimself，pickeduptheoars，andsettleddownforthepulltotheouterbeach。
Adory，aseveryoneacquaintedalongshoreknows，isthesafestofallsmallcraftforuseinheavyweather。Itisunsinkableforonething，and，beingflat-bottomed，slipsoverthewavesinsteadofplowingthroughthem。Butthehighfreeboardisamarkforthewind，andtokeepastraightcourseonsuchamorningasthisrequiresskill，andnosmallamountofmuscle。Ralph，seatedinthestern，foundhimselfwonderinghowonearthhiscompanionmanagedtorowashedid，andsteeratthesametime。Thestrokeswereshort，buttherewaspowerinthem，andthedory，althoughmovingratherslowly，wentdoggedlyon。”Letmetakeher，”shoutedRalphafterawhile，”youmustbetired。””Who，me？”CaptainErilaughed。”Icouldkeepthisupforaweek。
Thereain’tanyseainhere。Ifwewasoutsidenow，’twouldbediff’rent，maybe。”
Theyhitthebeachalmostexactlyattherightspot，afeatwhichthepassengerconsideredamiracle，butwhichtheCaptainseemedtotakeasamatterofcourse。Theybeachedandanchoredthedory，and，bendingalmostdoubleastheyfacedthewind，plowedthroughthesandtothebackdoorofthestation。Therewascomparativelylittlesnowhereontheouterbeach——thegalehadsweptitnearlyallaway。
Mr。Langleymetthemastheytrampedintothehall。Theoldgentlemanwasgladtoseehisassistant，forhehadbeguntofearthatthelattermighthavetriedtorowoverduringtheevening，andmetwithdisaster。Astheysatroundthestoveinhisroomhesaid，”Wedon’tneedanywrecksinsidethebeach。Weshallhaveenoughoutside，I’mafraid。Ihearthereisoneschoonerintroublenow。””Thatso？”askedCaptainEri。”Whereisshe？””OntheHog’sBackshoal，theythink。Oneofthelife-savingcrewtoldMcLaughlinthattheysawherlastnight，whenthegalefirstbegan，tryingtomakeanoffing，andthatwreckagewascomingashorethismorning。CaptainDaviswasgoingtotrytoreachherwiththeboat，Ibelieve。””Ishouldliketobeatthelife-savingstationwhentheyland，”
saidRalph。”Itwouldbeanewexperienceforme。I’veseenthecrewdrilloftenenough，butIhaveneverseenthemactuallyatwork。””Whatd’yousayifwegodowntothestation？”askedtheCaptain。”Thatis，ifMr。Langleyherecanspareyou。””Oh，Icansparehim，”saidthesuperintendent。”Thereisnothingofimportancetobedoneherejustnow。Butitwillbeaterriblewalkdownthebeachthismorning。””Wind’llbeatourbacks，andwe’reriggedforit，too。Whatd’yousay，Mr。Hazeltine？”
Ralphwasonlytoogladoftheopportunitytosee，atleast，thefinishofarescuingexpedition，andhesaidso。Sotheygotintotheoilskinsagain，pulledtheir”sou’westers”downovertheirears，andstartedonthetramptothelife-savingstation。
Theelectricianisnotlikelytoforgetthatwalk。Thewindwas，astheCaptainsaid，attheirbacks，butitwhistledinfromtheseawithterrificstrength，andcarriedthesleetwithit。Itdelugedthemwithwater，andplasteredthemwithflyingseaweedandice。Thewetsandcameinshowerslikehail，andbeatagainsttheirshouldersuntiltheyfeltthesting，eventhroughtheirclothes。Towardthebaywasnothingbutgraymist，streakedwithrainandsleet；towardtheseawasthesamemist，flyingwiththewindoversuchahuddleoftossinggreenandwhiteasRalphhadneverseen。Thesurfpouredininrollersthatleapedovereachother’shumpedbacksintheirsavageenergytogetattheshore，whichtrembledastheybeatuponit。Theripplesfromonewavehadnottimetoflowbackbeforethoseofthenextcamethreshingin。
Greatblobsoffoamshotdownthestrandlikewildbirds，andthegurgleandsplashandroarwereterrific。
Theywalkedasnearthewaterlineastheydared，becausethesandwasharderthere。CaptainEriwentahead，handsinhispocketsandheaddown。Ralphfollowed，sometimeswatchinghiscompanion，butoftenergazingatthesea。Atintervalstherewouldbealull，asifthestormgianthadpausedforbreath，andtheycouldseeforhalfamileoverthecrazywater；thenthenextgustwouldpullthecurtaindownagain，andawhirlofrainandsleetwouldshutthemin。Conversationmeantonlyaseriesofshrieksandtheygaveitup。
AtlengththeCaptainturned，grinnedpleasantly，whiletheraindropssplashedonhisnose，andwavedonearm。Ralphlookedandsawaheadofthemtheclusteredbuildingsofthelife-savingstation。Andhewasgladtoseethem。”Whew！”puffedCaptainEriastheyopenedthedoor。”Nicemornin’
forducks。Hey，Luther！”heshouted，”wakeuphere；you’vegotcallers。”
Theyheardfootstepsinthenextroom，thedooropened，andincame——notLutherDavis，butCaptainPerez。”Why，Eri！”heexclaimedamazedly。”Fortheland’ssake，Perez！Whatareyoudoin’here？””WhatareYOUdoin’here，Ishouldsay。Howd’youdo，Mr。
Hazeltine？”
CaptainEripushedbackhis”sou’wester，”andstrolledovertothestove。Ralphfollowedsuit。”Well，Perez，”saidtheformer，extendinghishandsoverthefire，”it’seasyenoughtotellyouwhywe’rehere。Weheardtherewasawreck。””Thereis。She’saschooner，andshe’soffthereontheHog’sBack。Lutherandthecrewputofftohermore’ntwohoursago，andI’mgittin’worried。”
ThenPerezwentontoexplainthat，becauseofthestorm，hehadbeenpersuadedtostayatMrs。Mayo’sallnight；thatCaptainDavishadbeenoverforamomentthateveningonanerrand，andhadsaidthattheschoonerhadbeensightedandthat，asthenortheasterwascomingon，shewasalmostcertaintogetintotrouble；thathe，Perez，hadrowedoverthefirstthinginthemorningtogetthenews，andhadbeenjustintimetoseethelaunchingofthelifeboat，asthecrewputofftotheschooner。”Thereain’tnothin’toworry’bout，”observedCaptainEri。”It’snoslouchofapullofftotheHog’sBackthisweather，andbesides，I’dtrustLuteDavisanywhereonsaltwater。””Yes，Iknow，”repliedtheunconvincedCaptainPerez，”butheoughttohavebeenbackaforethis。Therewasakindoflet-upinthestormjestaforeIgothere，andtheyseeherfastontheshoalwiththecrewintheriggin’。Luthertookthesmallboat’causehethoughthecouldhandleherbetter，andthat’swhat’sworryin’me；
I’m’fraidshe’soverloaded。Iwasjestthinkin’ofgoin’outonthep’inttoseeifIcouldseeanythingof’emwhenyoufolkscome。””Well，goahead。We’llgowithyou，ifMr。Hazeltine’sgotanyofthechilloutofhim。”
Ralphwasfeelingwarmbythistimeand，afterPerezhadputonhiscoatandhat，theywentoutoncemoreintothegale。ThepointofwhichPerezhadspokenwasawedge-shapedsandridgethat，thrownupbythewavesandtide，thrustitselfoutfromthebeachsomefewhundredyardsbelowthestation。Theyreacheditstip，andstoodthereintheverymidstofthestorm，waitingforthelulls，nowmorefrequent，andscanningthetumblingwaterforthereturninglifeboat。”Schooner’slayin’rightoverthere，”shoutedCaptainPerezinRalph’sear，pointingoffintothemist。”’Boutamileoffshore，Ical’late。Wickedplace，theHog’sBackis，too。””Wind’slettin’upalittlemite，”bellowedCaptainEri。”We’vehadthewustofit，Iguess。Thereain’tsomuch——”
Hedidnotfinishthesentence。Thecurtainofsleetparted，leavingaquarter-mile-longlane，throughwhichtheycouldseethefrothingridgesracingoneaftertheother，endlessly。Andacrossthislane，silentandswift，likeamovingpictureonascreen，driftedawhiteturtlebackwithblackdotsclingingtoit。Itwasinsightnotmorethanahalfminute，thenthelaneclosedagain，astherainlashedtheirfaces。
CaptainPerezgasped，andclutchedtheelectricianbythearm。”Godfreymighty！”heexclaimed。”Whatwasit？”shoutedRalph。”Whatwasit，CaptainEri？”
ButCaptainErididnotanswer。Hehadturned，andwasrunningatfullspeedbacktothebeach。WhentheycameuptheyfoundhimstrainingatthesideofthedorythatLutherDavisusedintendinghislobsterpots。Theboat，turnedbottomup，layhighabovetidemarkinthelittlecovebehindthepoint。”Quick，now！”shoutedtheCaptain，inatoneRalphhadneverheardhimusebefore。”Overwithher！Lively！”
Theyobeyedhimwithoutquestion。Asthedorysettledrightsideuptwoheavyoars，thathadbeensecuredbybeingthrustundertheseats，fellbackwithaclatter。”Whatwasit，Captain？”shoutedRalph。”Thelifeboatupset。Howmanydidyoumakeouthangin’ontoher，Perez？Five，seemedtome。””Four，Ithought。Eri，youain’tgoin’totrytoreachherwiththisdory？Youcouldn’tdoit。You’llonlybedrowndedyourself。
MyLord！”hemoaned，wringinghishands，”what’llPashydo？””Catcha-holtnow，”commandedCaptainEri。”Downtotheshorewithher！Now！”
Theydraggedthedorytothewater’sedgewithonerush。ThenErihurriedlythrustinthetholepins。Perezprotestedagain。”Eri，”hesaid，”itain’tnouse。Shewon’tlivetogitthroughthebreakers。”
Hisfriendansweredwithoutlookingup。”Doyous’pose，”hesaid，”thatI’mgoin’toletLuteDavisandthemotherfellersdrownwithoutmakin’atryfor’em？PushoffwhenItellyouto。””Thenyouletmegoinsteadofyou。””Don’ttalkfoolish。You’vegotPashytolookafter。Readynow！”
ButRalphHazeltineintervened。”I’mgoingmyself，”hesaidfirmly，puttingonefootoverthegunwale。”I’mayoungermanthaneitherofyou，andI’musedtoaboat。Imeanit。I’m，going。”
CaptainErilookedattheelectrician’sface；hesawnothingbutdeterminationthere。”We’llallgo，”hesaidsuddenly。”Mr。Hazeltine，runasfastastheLord’llletyoubacktothestationandgitanothersetofoars。Hurry！”
Withoutanswering，theyoungmansprangupthebeachandrantowardthebuildings。ThemomentthathewasinsideCaptainErileapedintothedory。”Pushoff，Perez！”hecommanded。”Thatyoungfeller’sgotalifetolive。””Youdon’tgowithoutme，”assertedPerezstoutly。”Allright！Pushoff，andthenjumpin。”
CaptainPerezattemptedtoobey。Hewadedintothewaterandgavethedoryapush，but，justashewasabouttoscramblein，hereceivedashovethatsenthimbackwards。”Yourjob’stakin’careofPashy！”roaredCaptainEri。
Perezscrambledtohisfeet，butthedorywasalreadyhalf-wayacrossthelittlepatchofcomparativelysmoothwaterinthecove。
Ashelookedhesawitenterthefirstlineofbreakers，riseamidashoweroffoam，poiseonthecrest，andslipover。Thesecondlineofroaringwavescamesurgingon，higherandmorethreateningthanthefirst。CaptainEriglancedoverhisshoulder，turnedthedory’sbowtowardthemandwaited。Theybroke，and，astheydidso，theboatshotforwardintothewhirlpooloffroth。Thenthesleetcamepouringdownandshuteverythingfromsight。
WhenRalphcamehurryingtothebeach，bearingtheoars，hefoundCaptainPerezalone。
CHAPTERXX
ERIGOESBACKONAFRIEND
CaptainEriknewthatthehardestandmostdangerousportionofhisperiloustripwasjustatitsbeginning。Ifthedorygotthroughthesurfwithoutcapsizing，itwasanevenbetthatshewouldstayright-side-upforawhilelonger，atanyrate。Sohepulledoutofthelittlecove，andpointedtheboat’sbowtowardthethunderingsmotherofwhite，hisshoulderssquared，hishandstightenedontheoarhandles，andhisunder-jawpushedoutbeyondtheupper。Oldforemasthands，thosewhohadsailedwiththeCaptainonhiscoastingvoyages，would，hadtheyseenthesesigns，haveprophesiedtroubleforsomeone。TheywereCaptainEri’sbattle-flags，andjustnowhisopponentwasthegrayAtlantic。Ifthelatterwon，itwouldonlybeafterafight。
Thefirstwavetrippedoverthebarandwhirledbeneathhim，sendingthedoryhighintotheairandsplashingitsoccupantwithspray。TheCaptainheldtheboatstationary，waitingforthesecondtobreak，andthen，halfrising，putallhisweightandstrengthontheoars。Thestrugglehadbegun。
TheyusedtosayonboardtheHannahM。thattheskippernevergotrattled。ThesamecoolheadandsteadynervethatJosiahhadadmiredwhenthecatboatthreadedthebreakersattheentranceofthebay，nowservedthesamepurposeinthismoretangledandinfinitelymorewickedmaze。Thedoryclimbedandducked，rolledandslid，butgained，inchbyinch，footbyfoot。Theadvancingwavesstrucksavageblowsatthebow，thewinddiditsbesttoswingherbroadsideon，buttherewasonehundredandeightypoundsofcleargritandmuscletuggingattheoars，and，thoughthemuscleswerenotasyoungastheyhadbeen，therewereyearsofexperiencetomakeeverypoundcount。Atlastthepreliminaryroundwasover。Theboatsprangclearofthebreakersandcreptoutfartherandfarther，withsixinchesofwatersloppinginherbottom，butafloatandseaworthy。
ItwasnotuntilshewasfarintodeepwaterthattheCaptainturnedherbowdowntheshore。Whenthiswasdone，itwasontheinstant，and，althoughalittlemorewatercameinboard，therewasnotenoughtobedangerous。Then，withthegaleasternandthetidetohelp，CaptainErimadethedorygoasshe，oranyotheronthatcoast，hadnevergonebefore。
TheCaptainknewthatthewindandthetidethatwerenowaidinghimwerealsosweepingtheoverturnedlifeboatalongatarapidrate。Hemustcomeupwithitbeforeitreachedthenextshoal。
Hemustreachitbeforethewaves，and，worsethanall，thecoldhadcausedthepoorfellowsclingingtoitforlifetoloosetheirgrip。
Thedoryjumpedfromcresttocrestlikeahurdler。ThesleetnowbeatdirectlyintotheCaptain’sfaceandfrozeonhiseyebrowsandlashes，buthedarednotdrawinanoartofreeahand。Thewindcaughtupthespindriftandpoureditoverhiminicybaths，buthewastoowarmfromthefuriousexercisetomind。
Inthelullsheturnedhisheadandgazedoverthesea，lookingfortheboat。Oncehesawit，beforethestormshutdownagain，andhegroanedaloudtocountbuttwoblackdotsonitswhitesurface。Hepulledharderthanever，andgruntedwitheverystroke，whiletheperspirationpoureddownhisforeheadandfrozewhenitreachedtheicedamsoverhiseyes。
Atlastitwasinplainsight，andthetwodots，nowclearlyhumanbeings，werestillthere。Hepointedthebowstraightatitandrowedon。Whenhelookedagaintherewasbutone，afiguresprawledalongthekeel，clingingtothecenterboard。
Theflyingdoryboredownuponthelifeboat，andtheCaptainriskedwhatlittlebreathhehadinahail。Theclingingfigureraiseditshead，andCaptainErifeltanalmostselfishsenseofrelieftoseethatitwasLutherDavis。Ifithadtobebutone，hewouldratheritwasthatone。
Thebottomofthelifeboatroselikeadomefromtheseathatbeatandroaredoverandaroundit。Thecenterboardhadfloatedupandprojectedatthetop，anditwasaboutthisthatCaptainDavis’
armswereclasped。CaptainErishotthedoryalongside，pulledinoneoar，andthetwoboatsfittedcloselytogether。ThenErireachedout，and，seizinghisfriendbythebeltroundhiswaist，pulledhimfromhishold。Davisfellintothebottomofthedory，onlyhalfconsciousandentirelyhelpless。
CaptainEriliftedhimsothathisheadandshouldersrestedonathwart，andthen，settinghisoaragainstthelifeboat’sside，pushedthedoryclear。Thenhebeganrowingagain。
Sofarhehadbeenmoresuccessfulthanhehadreasontoexpect，butthetaskthathemustnowaccomplishwasnotlessdifficult。
Hemustreachtheshoresafely，andwithanotherlifebesidehisowntoguard。
Itwasoutofthequestiontoattempttogetbacktothecove；thelandingmustbemadeontheopenbeach，and，althoughCaptainErihadmorethanoncebroughtadorysafelythroughahighsurf，hehadneverattempteditwhenhisboathadnearlyafootofwaterinherandcarriedahelplesspassenger。
Littlebylittle，stillrunningbeforethewind，theCaptainedgedintowardtheshore。LutherDavismovedonceortwice，butsaidnothing。Hisoilskinswerefrozenstiffandhisbeardwasalumpofice。CaptainEribegantofearthathemightdiefromcoldandexhaustionbeforetheattemptatlandingwasmade。TheCaptainresolvedtowaitnolonger，buttotaketheriskofrunningdirectlyforthebeach。
Hewasnearenoughnowtoseetheleapingsprayofthebreakers，andtheirbellowsoundedlouderthanthehowlofthewindorthenoisesoftheseaabouthim。Hebentforwardandshoutedintheearoftheprostratelife-saver。”Luther！”heyelled，”Lute！”
CaptainDavis’headrolledback，hiseyesopened，and，inadazedway，helookedatthefigureswingingbackandforthwiththeoars。”Lute！”shoutedCaptainEri，”listentome！I’mgoin’totrytoland。D’youhearme？”
Davis’thoughtsseemedtobegatheringslowly。Hewas，ordinarily，amanofstrongphysique，courageous，andafightereveryinchofhim，buthisstrengthhadbeenbeatenoutbythewavesandchilledbythecold，andthesightofthemenwithwhomhehadlivedandworkedforyearsdrowningonebyone，hadbrokenhisnerve。Helookedathisfriend，andthenatthewaves。”What’stheuse？”hesaidfeebly。”They’reallgone。Imightaswellgo，too。”
CaptainEri’seyessnapped。”LuteDavis，”heexclaimed，”IneverthoughtI’dseeyouplayin’crybaby。Braceup！Whatareyou，anyway？”
Thehalf-frozenmanmadeapluckyeffort。”Allright，Eri，”hesaid。”I’mwithyou，butIain’tmuchgood。””Canyoustandup？””Idon’tknow。I’lltry。”
Littlebylittleheraisedhimselftohisknees。”’Boutasfur’sIcango，Eri，”hesaid，betweenhisteeth。”Youlookoutforyourself。I’lldomydurndest。”
Thedorywascaughtbythefirstofthegreatwaves，and，onitscrest，wentflyingtowardthebeach。CaptainEristeereditwiththeoarsaswellashecould。Thewavebroke，andthehalf-filledboatpaused，wascaughtupbythesucceedingbreaker，andthrownforwardagain。TheCaptain，stilltryingtosteerwithoneoar，letgooftheother，andseizinghiscompanionbythebelt，pulledhimtohisfeet。”Nowthen，”heshouted，”standby！”
Theboatpoisedonthecurlingwave，wentdownlikeahammer，struckthesand，andwasburiedinwater。Justasitstruck，CaptainErijumpedasfarshorewardashecould。Davissprangwithhim，butitwasreallytheCaptain’sstrengththatcarriedthemclearoftherail。
Theykepttheirfeetforaninstant，but，inthatinstant，CaptainEridraggedhisfriendayardorsouptheshelvingbeach。Thentheywereknockedflatbythenextwave。TheCaptaindughistoesintothesandandbracedhimselfastheundertowsuckedback。Oncemoreheroseandtheystaggeredonagain，onlytogodownwhenthenextrushofwatercame。Threetimesthisperformancewasrepeated，and，astheyroseforthefourthtime，theCaptainroared，”Now！”
Anotherplunge，asplashingrun，andtheywereonthehardsandofthebeach。Thentheybothtumbledontheirfacesandbreathedingreatgasps。
ButtheCaptainrealizedthatthiswouldnotdo，for，intheirsoakedcondition，freezingtodeathwasamatterofbutashorttime。HeseizedDavisbytheshoulderandshookhimagainandagain。”Comeon，Lute！Comeon！”heinsisted。”Gitup！You’veGOTtogitup！”
And，afterawhile，thelife-saverdidgetup，althoughhecouldscarcelystand。Then，withtheCaptain’sarmaroundhiswaist，theystartedslowlyupthebeachtowardthestation。
TheyhadgonebutalittlewaywhentheyweremetbyRalphHazeltineandCaptainPerez。
Mrs。Snowhadbeen，forher，rathernervousallthatforenoon。Sheperformedherhouseholddutiesasthoroughlyasusual，butElsie，towhomthestormhadbroughtaholiday，noticedthatshelookedoutofthewindowandattheclockfrequently。Oncesheevenwentsofarastotelltheyoungladythatshefelt”kindofqueer；jestasifsomethin’wasgoin’tohappen。”Asthehousekeeperwasnotthekindtobetroubledwithpresentiments，Elsiewassurprised。
Dinnerwasonthetableattwelveo’clock，butCaptainEriwasnottheretohelpeatit，andtheysatdownwithouthim。AndhereagainMrs。Snowdepartedfromherregularhabit，forsheatelittleandwasveryquiet。Shewasthefirsttohearanunusualsoundoutside，and，jumpingup，rantothewindow。”Somebody’sdrivin’intotheyard，”shesaid。”Whoonairthwouldbecomin’heresuchadayasthis？”
CaptainJerryjoinedheratthewindow。”It’sAbnerMayo’shorse，”hesaid。”Maybeit’sPerezcomin’
home。”