Page 292 - Adventures in shadow-land

empty scabbard and the sword-belt; and he*s got

a ring on his finger/1
Job bent down and tried to unfold the dead

hand from its close clasp. At that moment,
though it was very calm, a huge wave rose from

the sea, and came thundering up the beach, cover­
ing the two men with spray. When it retreated
the dead merman and the figure-head were gone,

and up from the sea came a low sobbing sound.
Master Torrey and Job stood watching, sur­

prised and startled. Another minute, and up
came a second huge wave, bearing upon its crest
the oaken sea-nymph. On it roiled— a mountain

of water. It dashed its burden upon the jagged
rocks once, twice, thrice, and strewed the shattered

fragments over sea and sand. Job drew a long
breath.

"W aal,” said he, “ there goes the best piece
of wood 1 ever chipped* Tell ye what, philosophy

won’t explain everything. 'Tain’t best to be too
rational if you want to have any insight into things
in this world. If that wa’n*t done a-purpose, I

never see a thing done so !fJ
They turned back and walked toward the town.