Pagina 183 de 416

Tanner watched the schooner as she scudded away.

"Mighty big hurry, I allow," he remarked. "But, Jiminy, doesn't

she sail! There ain't hardly an air o' wind stirrin' and yet look

at her go! She's a mighty-able vessel."

It was about four o'clock the next afternoon that the Rosan crept

up in the middle of the fishing fleet. She had made a long berth

overnight, dressed an excellent morning's catch, and knocked off

half a day because Bijonah did not feel it right to keep Code

longer away from his vessel.

And Tanner managed the thing with a good eye to the dramatic.

When he reached the rear guard of the fleet he began to work his

vessel gracefully in and out among the sloops and schooners.

Code, seated in his chair on the cabin roof, did not realize what

was going on until the triumphal procession was well under way.

Through the fleet they went--a fleet that was wearing crape for

him--and from every vessel received a volley of cheers.