BERT'S GOOD SENSE

New Zealand Tablet, 9 July 1908, Page 37

BERT'S GOOD SENSE

The day was very warm, with a strong wind blowing from the south-west that seemed like the breath from an oven, and which brought with it whirling clouds of dust. In the heat and glare the blue waters of the lake looked doubly cool and refreshing, and it was no wonder that a little group of picnickers had wandered down to the pier where several small sail-boats were for rent.

The old man in charge of the boats shook his head a little doubtfully when they asked for his best boat, and his eyes scanned the sky anxiously. Thunder heads in delicate tints of grey and white were beginning to show themselves about the horizon.

' Are you a good hand at managing a sail-boat?' he asked of Clare Davis, who had been making the inquiries.

♦ 4 That's all right,' Clare answered, confidently; ' I've handled boats in some pretty bad weather, and never had an accidentyet.'

Still the old man looked troubled. ' I'm afraid there's a squall coming up,' he said. ' We're going to get a change of wind before long, and it'll come as quick as a flash of lightning when it does come. It's always dangerous sailing on the lake on a day like this. There been many a^aiUboat capsized, and it wasn't the fault of the fellow that- was sailing it either.' •' * Well, I'm willing to take the risk,' Clare said lightly, ' and I guess the rest are too. Isn't that so?' she asked, turning to the others.- • '

Some nodded, and one or two Jooked uncertain. Bert Hawley shook his head decidedly. " . 'Oh, Bert!' Clare cried, 'you're not going to back out, are you Why, I don't believe there's any danger,.'

' .' I'm not so sure,' Bert said. ' I know the lake, and I know that squalls come up like . race-horses. I' don't believe ia_ running into danger myself unless I have to, and, .another things I don't believe I have any - right to take Margaret into danger, even if I wanted to go myself.' He smiled at his sister, who was younger than he, and who believed that what Bert said and did was about right. -- • -

Bert's stand decided the others who had been doubtful, *so that the little sail-boat, as it moved away from the pier, carried only a part of the picnickers.

• I think you showed good sense,' the old man said to Bert. ' And I liked what you said about taking your sister into danger. There are a good many folks that never think" ofthat.'

The squall did come, as the boatman had foretold, but Clare was watching the sky keenly, and handled the boat so skilfully that she was not hurt. But the party were drenched by flying spray, and chilled by the cold wind that came out of the northeast, following the .squall. As the little boat came ' back to. the pier, the girls looked frightened and uncomfortable.

1 I wish we'd stayed, too!' one of the party "said." At which the old boatman replied : 'Some folks are always late taking advice.'