As he handed it over, I detected a lingering eye on our catch.
“You certainly got quite a mess, didn’t you?� he commented.
“Yes; don’t you want some of ’em?� I asked.
“Why, I don’t care if I do,� he answered. “The boys up to the station ain’t got much time to catch ’em themselves. Ef you don’t mind, I’ll jest take along a half dozen.�
So saying, he drew a newspaper from his pocket, tore a sheet from it, and, to our hearty urging, wrapped up a full dozen.
Then he wished us a good appetite for our crude meal, and once more strode away at his steady, distance-covering gait.
It was with the intention of starting the fire at once that I caught up the sheet of newspaper he had left behind him; but, after one glance, I didn’t burn it.
The item that met my eye was not a large one; the bit of news was not featured; but it held me. This is what I saw:
“WIRELESS FROM MONTAUK.
“A message received late last night reports a strange happening off Montauk Point yesterday during a short, but fierce, squall.