Mrs. McAdam of the White Fish Lodge came out upon the village Green one
evening in late August and, in a loud voice, hailed Jerry McAlpin:
"I've heard it said," called she, "that you, you Jerry McAlpin, are not
against the taking away of my license; not against the making of Kenmore
a teetotal town!"
There was menace in the high-pitched voice; warning in the accusation.
But Jerry had not taken a drop to drink since his self-releasement from
jail (after an apology from Hornby), and he was uncannily clear headed.
"I've said that same!" he replied, and stopped short in his walk.
Two or three other men, followed by dogs, paused to listen. Then a boat,
coming in loaded with fish, tied up to the wharf, and the crew, leaning
over the sides, waited for developments.
"And for why?" called Mary, hands on hips and her sharp eyes blazing.
"For this: The drink turns us mad! I'm late finding it out, but I've
found it! It sent me to jail with my wits all afire. My boy drank that
night, drank like a young beast, and lay on the floor of the cabin, they
tell me, after I went away; and he only sixteen, and his dead uncle stark
there beside him for company!"
By this time a goodly gathering was on the Green, and Mary was in her
element.
"And so," she said calmly, waxing eloquent as her power grew, "you and
the like of you would take an honest woman's living from her, and she
a God-be-praised widow at that, because you can't control the beast in
yourselves and can't train the cubs of your kennels!"
This was going to great lengths, and many a listener who sided with Mary
was chilled by her offensive words.
"Come! come!" warned Hornby, the father of the recently lured Jamsie,
"them ain't exactly womanly terms, are they?"
But Mary was on her high horse. Availing herself of the safety her sex
secured for her, she struck left and right without grace or favour, and
her audience gaped while they listened.
"Oh, I know! 'Tis this year a dry town with me ruined, and it's next year
a wet town with McAlpin, Hornby, or another creature in trousers taking
my place; and after that there will be no more dry town for ever and
ever! It's not morals you are after, but a man-controlled tavern. Blast
ye!" A sneer marked Mary's thin, dark face. "You want your drinks and
your freedom, but you say you fear for your lads. Shame on you! Have
I no lads?"
Silence.
"Have I not trained them in the way they should go? Do I fear for them?"
A grave silence, and McAlpin glared at Hornby, while an irreverent youth,
with a fish dangling from his hands, laughed and muttered:
"Like gorrems!"
"Play a man's part, Jerry McAlpin. 'Tis not for Jerry-Jo you fear; it's
my business you'd get from me, and you know it! Teach that lad of yours
to be decent, as I've trained mine. I have no fear for my boys! I know
what I'm talking about, and I tell you now, if my lads were like yours
I'd fling the business over, but I don't see why a decent woman, and her
a God-be-praised widow, should lose her living because you can't train
your brats in the way they should go. But this is mine! If you don't
stand by me and swear to do it here and now, it's not another drink one
of you shall get in my place till after things are settled."
This was going farther than Mary McAdam had ever gone before. She had
threatened dire restrictions against them who failed to support her cause
should her cause be won in spite of them; she had even hinted at cash
payments to insure her against want if, possibly, her license was
revoked, but this shutting down upon human rights before election came
off was upsetting to the last degree. Hornby looked at McAlpin and
McAlpin dropped his eyes; there was a muttering and a grumbling, and a
general feeling prevailed that every man should be his own keeper and
the guardian of his own sons, and it would be a bitter wrong against a
God-be-praised widow to let family affairs ruin her business.
In the end Mary McAdam, with a manly following of stern upholders of
individual rights and the opportunity for mutual good fellowship, retired
to the bar of the White Fish and, waited upon by Mary herself and her two
exemplary sons, made merry far into the evening.
Tom and Sandy McAdam, handsome, carefree boys of sixteen and eighteen,
passed the drinks with many a jest and often a wink, but never a drop
drank they, not until the Lodge had closed its doors on all visitors, and
then Tom, the elder, with a final leer at Sandy the younger, drained off
a glass of bad whisky with a grace that betokened long practice.
"Hold, there!" cautioned Sandy, filling a glass of beer for himself;
"you'll not be able to hide it from the mother, you galoot."
"Oh, the night's long before the day breaks, and it's yourself as must
take the turn at house chores the morning."
The following day was cloudy and threatening, and why Mary McAdam should
take that time for suggesting that her boys go over to Wyland Island and
buy their winter suits, she herself could not have told. Perhaps, from
the assurance of last night, she felt freer with money; perhaps she
thought the boys could not be spared so well later; be that as it might,
she insisted, even against Sandy's remark that "a lad couldn't put his
mind to a winter outfit with the sweat rolling down his back," that they
should set forth by eleven o'clock.
"Make a lark of it," said she generously; "take that scapegoat Jerry-Jo
McAlpin with you and have it out with him about being a young beast and
worrying the heart out of old Jerry, who means well but ain't got no kind
of a headpiece. Take your lunch along and----"
Here she pointed her remarks with a lean, commanding finger: "You take
that sail off the launch! It's quiet enough now, but it ain't going to
last forever, and I couldn't rest with three flighty lads in a boat with
a sail _and_ an engine."
Mrs. McAdam always expected to be obeyed. Her personality was such that
she generally was; but always, when disobedience followed, it was hidden
from her immediate attention, and she was never one to show the weakness
of watching to see her orders carried out. That was why she, of all the
people in the little village, did not realize that her boys often drank
more than was good for them--always managed, by clever devices, to escape
her eye.
"A glass of harmless stuff now and again," she would say with a toss of
her head; "what's that but a proof of the lads' self-control? That's what
I'm a-telling you: make your lads strong and self-respecting."
Tom did not take the sail from the boat that day, neither did he expect
to use it. He furled it close and shipped it carefully, but it was late,
and, in the last hurry, he kept his mother's caution in mind, but did not
carry out her command. Then Sandy, when they were about to start, did a
bold thing. Stealing into the bar, he took a bottle of whisky and a
bottle of brandy; these he hid under his reefer, and, with a laugh at his
own cunning, put into the empty places on the shelves two partly filled
bottles, and ran to the wharf.
Mary McAdam waved them a farewell from the steps. She had packed the
hamper and stowed it under the very sail she had ordered off. In the
excitement of preparation she overlooked it entirely.
"You, Sandy, see to it that you buy a suit that you won't repent when the
winter nips you!" she called.
"And you, Tom, get a quiet colour and _no_ checks! When yer last year's
suit shrank and the squares got crooked ye looked like a damaged
checker-board!"
Jerry-Jo McAlpin from his seat in the stern roared with laughter at this,
and just then the sturdy little engine puffed, thudded, and "caught on,"
and off went the three with loud words of good-bye.
The Channel was as smooth as a summer brook, and the launch shot ahead.
"It's a bit chilly," Sandy said as they neared the mouth opening at
Flying Point into the Little Bay.
"Put on your storm coat," cautioned Tom, "and you, too, Jerry-Jo; we'll
get the wind when we pass Dreamer's Rock and strike the Big Bay."
The boys got out their coats and put them on, and then Sandy said:
"See what I've got! Snitched it from under the mother's eye, too!" He
held up the bottles. Tom laughed, but Jerry-Jo reached out for one.
"A nip will ward off the cold better than a coat," he said.
They all three indulged in this preventive.
Beyond Dreamer's Rock the wind fulfilled Tom's prophecy; it was not a
great wind, but it was a steady one, and, perhaps, because the whisky had
warmed Tom's blood too hastily and hotly, he grew reckless.
"What do you say, fellows, to eating our lunch and then trying sail and
engine together? We could beat the record and surprise folks by our time
in coming and going. The wind's safe; not a puff! What do you say?"
Jerry-Jo was something of a coward, but by the time he had eaten his
lunch and washed it down with more whisky than he had meant to take, he
was ready to handle the sail himself and proceeded to do so.
Little Bear Island was the last one before the entrance to Big Bay, and
when the launch passed that, either the wind had changed, or Tom, at the
engine and Jerry-Jo at the sail, had lost nerve and head, for the boat
became unmanageable. Sandy, keeping to the exact middle of the boat,
called to Jerry-Jo to lower the sail, but Jerry-Jo did not hear, or
failed to clearly comprehend. The little craft shot ahead like an arrow,
but Tom knew that when they went about there would be trouble. They were
fully a mile from either rock-bound shore. Wyland Island was a good two
miles before them, and home seven miles to the rear.
A biggish sea was rolling and the sky was clouding threateningly. The
liquor had done its worst for the boys: it had unnerved them, while at
the same time it had given them a mad courage.
"Keep straight ahead," shouted Tom, "until we get near shore, and then
pull in that infernal sail!"
What happened just then Jerry-Jo could never tell, and he alone remained
at the day's end for the telling!
They were in the water, all three of them! For a moment Jerry-Jo,
thoroughly sobered and keener witted than he had ever been before in his
life, believed he was the only one of the party ever again to appear in
that angry sea. Then he saw the over-turned boat, heard the last sobbing
pants of the engine as it filled with water; then Tom's black head and
agonized face appeared; then Sandy's red head. They all made for the boat
and the wide sail lying flat in the water!
They reached the launch, chilled and desperate, climbed upon it, and
gazed helplessly at each other. Through chattering teeth they tried to
speak, but only a moan escaped Tom's blue lips. The wind was colder; the
sun had gone behind a bank of dull storm clouds. After a long while
Sandy, looking over the expanse of ugly choppy waves, shuddered and
panted:
"It's going to be dark soon; it can't be more than a half mile to yonder
rock--I'm for swimming to it! Once on land we can move about, get our
blood going, and perhaps find a sheltered spot--till--morning!"
Tom looked at his brother vaguely; he was suffering keenly:
"Don't be a fool!" he shuddered. Jerry-Jo, huddled in a wet heap, was
sobbing like a baby--gone utterly to pieces.
Another hideous space of silence followed, then Sandy spoke again:
"I'm going to make the try. I'm dying of cold. It's the only chance for
any of us. Here goes!"
And before any one could interfere he made his leap and was in the water,
a bobbing speck among the ugly white caps!
"Good God!"
That was all Tom said, but his crazed eyes were upon that strained,
uplifted face. Jerry-Jo ceased his moaning and--laughed! It was a foolish
cackle, such as a maniac might give, mistaking a death-struggle for a bit
of play.
"He's--a good swimmer!" he gasped, and laughed again. Tom turned, for an
instant, wondering eyes upon him. He may have, in that moment, estimated
his own chance, his duty to Jerry-Jo, and his determination to be with
his brother. The perplexed gaze lasted but the briefest space of time and
then with:
"All right! here goes!" he was making for Sandy with a strength born of
despair and madness.
"Come back!" shrieked Jerry-Jo with the frenzy of one deserted and too
cowardly or helpless to follow: "Come back!"
But neither swimmer heard nor heeded. For a moment more the black and the
red heads bobbed about, the faces turned toward each other grimly. Even
in that waste and at the bitter last the sense of companionship held
their thought. Jerry-Jo, rigid and every sense at last alert in an effort
for self-preservation, saw Sandy smile. It was a wonderful smile: it was
like a flash of sunlight on that black sea; then Sandy's lips moved, but
no one was ever to know what he said, and then--Jerry-Jo was alone in the
coming night and the rolling waves!
"They should," said Mary McAdam, "be home by seven at the latest. The
wind's with them coming back; it was with them part of the way going!"
Anton Farwell sat on the steps of the Lodge, his dogs peacefully lying at
his feet. All day, since hearing of the boys' trip, he had been restless
and anxious. Farwell had his bad hours often, but he rarely permitted
himself companionship at such times, but to-day, after his noon meal, he
had been unable to keep away from the Lodge.
"Fall's setting in early," Mrs. McAdam went on; "pickerel come; whitefish
go. Beasts and fish and birds ken a lot, Mr. Farwell."
"They certainly do. The more you live with dumb creatures, the more you
are impressed with that. Is that Sandy's dog, Mrs. McAdam?"
A yellow, lank dog came sniffing around the side of the house and lay
down, friendly wise, by Farwell.
"Yes, and he's a cute one. Do you believe me, Mr. Farwell, that there
Bounder knows the engine of our boat! Any other boat can come into the
Channel and he don't take any notice, but let my boys be out late and
Bounder, lying asleep on the floor, will start up at the chugging of the
launch and make for the dock. He never makes a mistake."
Farwell laughed and bent over to smooth Bounder's back.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Six-thirty," Mary replied with alarming readiness. "Six-thirty, and the
clock's a bit slow at that."
Farwell felt sure it was a good ten minutes slow; but because of that he
turned the conversation.
"Jerry McAlpin was telling me to-day," he said in his low, pleasant
voice, "of how he and others used to smuggle liquor over the border.
Jerry seems repenting of his past."
Mary laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
"My man and Jerry, with old Michael McAlpin, were the freest of
smugglers. In them days the McAlpins wasn't pestered with feelings; they
was good sports. Jerry marrying that full-breed had it taken out of him
somewhat--she was a hifty one. Them Indians never can get off their high
heels--not the full-breeds. But I tell you, Mr. Farwell, and you take it
for truth, when Jerry begins to maudle about repentance, it's just before
a--debauch. I know the signs."
Just then Bounder raised his head and howled.
"None of that! Off with yer!" shouted Mary, making for the dog with
nervous energy. "Once," she went on, her lips twitching, "my man and
Michael McAlpin had a good one on the officers. They had a big load of
the stuff on the cart and were coming down the road back of the Far Hill
Place when they sensed the custom men in the bushes. What do they do but
cut the traces and lick the horses into a run; then they turned the
barrels loose, jumped off, letting them roll down the hill, and they,
themselves, made for safety. It was only a bit more trouble to go back in
a week's time and gather up the barrels; but those government devils
followed the horses like idiots and felt mighty set up when they overtook
them! But when they saw they had _only_ the horses, oh! good Lord!"
Farwell laughed absently; his eyes were fixed on the water. Even in the
Channel it had an angry look. The current was set from the Bay, and the
stream rose and fell as if it had an ugly secret in its keeping.
"Mrs. McAdam," he said suddenly, "I'm going out to--to meet the boys!"
"God save ye, Mr. Farwell--for which?"
When Mary fell into that form of speech she was either troubled or
infuriated.
"I'm restless; I feel like a fling. Come on, you scamps!" to his dogs,
"get home and keep house till I come back."
His dogs leaped to him and then made for the Green. Without another word
Farwell walked to his launch at the foot of the wharf steps and prepared
for his trip.
A black wave of fear enveloped Mary McAdam. She was overcome by a
certainty of evil, and, when Farwell's boat had disappeared, she strode
to the Green and gave vent to her anxiety. There were those who
comforted, those who jeered, but the men were largely away on fishing
business, and the women and boys were more interested in her excitement
than they were in her cause for fear.
It was eight o'clock and very dark when Doctor Ledyard, driving down
from Far Hill Place for the mail, paused to listen to Mrs. McAdam's
expressions of anxiety. Young Dick Travers was beside him, and Mary's
words held him.
"Was Jerry-Jo with your boys, Mrs. McAdam?" he asked.
"He was that! And Jerry-Jo always brings ill-luck on a trip. I should
have known better than to let the half-breed scamp go. 'Twas pity as
moved me. Jerry-Jo is one as thinks rocking a boat is spirit, and yelling
for help, when no help is needed, a rare joke. The young devil!"
Doctor Ledyard and Dick stayed on after getting the mail. A strange,
tense feeling was growing in the place. Mary's terror was contagious.
"If the men would only come back," moaned the distracted mother; "I'd
send the lot of them out after the young limbs!"
At eight-thirty the storm broke. A dull, thick storm which had used most
of its fury out beyond Flying Point, and in the breast of the sullen wind
came the sound of an engine panting, panting in the darkness that was
shot by flashes of lightning and rent by thunder-claps. Mary McAdam gazed
petrified at Bounder, who had followed her to the Green.
"Why don't yer yelp?" she muttered, giving the dog a kick. But Bounder
blinked indifferently as the coming boat drew near and nearer.
Every boy, woman, and child, with the old men and lazy young ones, were
at the wharf when the launch emerged from the darkness. Some one was
standing up guiding the boat, ready to protect it from violent contact;
some one was huddled on the floor of the boat--some one who made no cry,
did not look up. They two were all! Just then a lurid flash of lightning
seemed to photograph the scene forever on the minds of the onlookers.
Ledyard, with Dick, was close to the boat when it touched the dock. By
the lurid light of electricity the face of the man in the launch rose
sharply against the darkness and for one instant shone as if to attract
attention.
Farwell was known by reputation to the doctor; he had probably been seen
by him many times, but certainly his face had never made an impression
upon him before. But now, in the hour of anguish and excitement, it held
Ledyard's thought to the exclusion of everything else.
"Who? where?" The questions ran through his mind and then, because every
sense was alert, he knew!
"Jerry-Jo!" Dick was calling, "where are the others?"
It was a mad question, but the boy, huddling in the launch, replied
quiveringly:
"Gone! gone to the bottom off Dreamer's Rock."
Then he began to whimper piteously.
A shuddering cry rang out. It was Mary McAdam, who, followed by her dog,
ran wildly, apron over head, toward the White Fish Lodge.
Farwell, casting all reserve aside, worked with Ledyard over the
prostrate Jerry-Jo. The recognition was no shock to him; he had always
known Ledyard; had cleverly kept from his notice heretofore, but now the
one thing he had hoped to escape was upon him, and he grew strangely
indifferent to what lay before.
He obeyed every command of the doctor as they sought to restore Jerry-Jo.
More than once their eyes met and their hands touched, but the contact
did not cause a tremor in either man.
When the inevitable arrives a strength accompanies it. Nature rarely
deserts either friend or foe at the critical moment.