H. Bedford-Jones

“ Gaunt, abandoning the wheel, faced the infuriated girl. All his stubborn tenacity was to the fore, and now he met anger with anger, word with word, while at his feet lay the unconscious Delaney.
“So that's your fine islander!” he stormed, almost insensate with passion. “I heard the whole thing, Nan never mind about the heroics! He makes a grand-stand play at saving your father's life, then schemes to hold up the message and get into the stock market with his own piker's wad—at your father's expense! That's the sort of man you want to marry, is it? ”

“ Not a man could he hire to go out tonight. Who'd risk his life to help a rich man make more money?”
“Not me,” said Delaney. "Who's this Gaunt?”
“He's hoping to marry your girl.”
“Oh!” said Delaney, and whistled. “She didn't write me of that. Is he a good man?”
“Good outside,” said Cap'n Johnny. “He fancies himself. Says he can pilot the Norah across, and between them they can manage the engines. Is she a good boat?”
“Housed and stanch enough, but bad engines,” said Delaney. “If they get across, it'll be by drifting. Where's Miss Johnson? I want to see her.” ”

“ At the shock, Delaney lost balance and came to his knees, but hauled in the line. Then Gaunt was crawling over the gunwale beside him; he heaved in the line, and as the two craft drew apart briefly Delaney leaned down and got a grip on Johnson's clothes. Gaunt took hold, and they dragged the senseless man inboard.
A sea hurled the boat up, smashed her down upon the Norah once more. Under his feet Delaney felt the timbers groan and crack. The searchlight was jarred out; the three figures on the wet foredeck all but went overboard. Delaney turned a terrible face to Bill Allers. ”

“ A glint came into Delaney's blue eyes. Ed Delaney was said to have a swift temper, but the stony face of Jason Johnson, the impervious and impersonal attitude of the man, was not to be countered by anger. Besides, this was Nan's father; many things hinged on the outcome of this meeting. Delaney gave him eye for eye and spoke calmly.
“Things have gone this far: I know the only woman I'll ever marry is Nan Johnson.” ”

“ Delaney caught up his hat and went down to the dock, caring nothing about Jason Johnson, but wondering how he could get word with Nan. Before reaching the large dock, he saw lanterns bobbing inside the Booth dock, and a flashlight at work. He saw Eddie Gallegher limping up toward town, hailed him, and Eddie gave a laugh.
“Sure, the millionaire's bought the old Norah, and is going to run her over to the mainland his own self! They're puttin' gas aboard her now.”
“Why, he's a fool!” exclaimed Delaney.
“So he's been told. It makes no differ to him. Money's a wonderful blinder!” ”

“ Cap'n Johnny walked off down the dock, like a sensible man, and lighted his pipe in the lee of the shed.
Presently he came back to them and heard Nan speaking about her father's big deal that had gone wrong.
“If he can't get word to Chicago by tomorrow morning he loses a lot of money,” she was saying scornfully. “His existence is centered on the stock market. Money, power—it means everything to him. And for this deal, he'll risk his life!”
“He'll lose it sure, in that boat,” said Delaney. “Can't you stop him?”
“Nothing can stop him. ”

“ After a bit, Gaunt came in with a paper, which he handed to Jason Johnson.
“I've a big deal on,” said the latter, after looking at the report. “Things aren't going as they should. When we dock, send a message for me, will you? There's a telephone line here to Charlevoix. I may have to get in touch with my bank. Depends on prices.”
The luxurious cruiser crept into the little haven with its long curving sand beach, its weather-beaten houses nestling under high trees that broke the bitter touch of winter gales, its fishing craft harbored along the shore. ”

“ See that a spare can of oil's aboard. Nan, don't you worry a mite! Our boat is safe as a barn in any sea. So long! Meet you at the dock.”
He turned and was off at a run.
Meanwhile, Gaunt and Jason Johnson tried out the engines of the Norah, and they ran smooth as silk. The rich man cursed the islanders for cowardly farmers, and Gaunt laughed, and there was no warning the two of them; for Jason Johnson thought only of Chicago wheat, and Gaunt thought only of himself as a hero. So away they went.
DELANEY was slow to reach his boat, since he lived at the other end of town. ”

“ Toward evening Delaney cleaned up, shaved and dressed in his best. Barring a cut or two, he showed small signs of the encounter with Jason Johnson. He knew that the yacht was laid up, and had been making a few plans of his own.
DELANEY was sitting down to supper when Bill Allers dropped in, bringing the news.
“The millionaire is in a bad way,” said Bill, with a joyous grin. “Glory be, how money does torment a man! Before the telephone line bruk down, he had bad news from Chicago and now he can't send a message. He's like to lose money.” ”

“ None of the boats were out, her had the mail boat come from Charlevoix that day; it could not come, being an old craft and cranky in heavy seas. Two big barges were anchored in the center of the harbor, and one or two skiffs were visiting them, most of the lake boats having Beaver men either forward or aft.
Since Jason Johnson cared nothing for expense, Cap'n Johnny Wright crawled right on to the McCann dock, and with his three men got the yacht lined up, then set to work uncovering the marred engines. Gaunt went ashore with his telegram. ”

“ But I told you that Nan loved me. Your words are insulting to her. I guess there's only one kind of answer that a man like you can understand——”
His blow knocked the elder man against the door frame and jarred the shed.
Men came running from the mill and the near-by sheds, and a crowd gathered at the doorway, for it was a grand sight. Jason Johnson knocked Delaney down three times, and then put the boots to him; by this time Delaney was warmed up, and evaded the boots, and went into the elder man with both fists and feet. Then it was soon over, and it was not Delaney who was knocked cold. ”

“ The boat's all ready, nothing to do but cast off. We might do it——”
“Do what?” demanded Nan anxiously.
“Go after your dad; bring him and Gaunt back. Their engines are bound to go wrong and they'll drift. We could pick °em up——” He stood silent a moment, then laughed out. “Nan, I might not bring him back; I might go on to Petoskey with him. September wheat, eh? Why not? I've a notion to do it. I've money in the bank in Chicago——”
“Don't be a fool, you!” said Cap'n Johnny angrily.
“Sure. But I know my boat—that's everything. Here's Bill now.”
Bill Allers came up to them. ”

“ Delaney, first to recover, snapped in a blow, then another—two blows, swift as light. Gaunt fell over sideways and went limp.
“Half speed, Nan—quick about it!”
Startled, the girl jerked into action, dimly realizing that Delaney was at the helm. His laugh reached her. . “Red to the right—red to the right! We're in, Nan. When we touch the wharf, jump ashore, phone for a taxi—get your dad to the hospital. Leave this fool where he is. Not dead yet, by glory! Better get out on deck and be ready to jump——”
Nan did not answer, for she had not the heart. ”

“ Cap'n Johnny shook his head, shifted the spokes, glanced from binnacle to high-heaving seas, squinting as his gaze swept the horizon.
“Big blow coming up. With luck, we'll make Mackinac some time tonight.”
“How do you tell at night,” she asked, standing beside him, “'which side of the light to steer for? If there's a red light, how do you know which side of it is the channel?”
“Red to the right,” said Cap'n Johnny. “When I was in the Arnold line, I'd always make the wheelers remember that. Red to the right o' the channel, every time.”
“Oh! But what about Harbor Springs?” ”

“ He made an effort which was much greater than appeared on the surface. ”We've made great plans for you. Can't let you fling yourself away on an ignorant fisherman. No doubt he's a good sort and all that, but it won't do. You're too far above him. ”