The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-12-24

s'Do you think there is nothing else FOR
man to do but ride, shoot, and play
crick ct 20
"Oh! that's all very well; but you should
hear what Merton, our second master says;
and great brick he is, too. 'Whatever
you do. do it we'll us you can, whether its
cricket or verse; And believe, if Tyraw-
ley had to fight, he'd 90 in and win, and no
mistake"
"Ah % said Constance with sigh, ''he
has evidently-what is it you boys call it ?
tipped you. Isn't t!''
Indignant ut this insult, George walked
off to find his friend, and have lesson in
billiards.
The day fingered on after the usual fash
ion Of wet days in September in full country
houses. There was II little dancing after
dinner; but all retired early in hopes Of a
finer day on the morrow.
Tyrawley had some letters to write so
that it was past two before be thought of
going to bed. He always slept with his
window open, and Us he threw up the sash
fierce gust of wind blew blew out his candles,
and blew down the looking glass"
"Pleasant, by Jove!" he solloquised. 81
wonder whether it's smashed unlucky to
break looking gass-l'm hanged if know
where the matches are; never mind; | can
find my way to bed in the dark. What a
Dight,' as u flash Of lightning iIlumined the
room for moment, and he bent out of the
window. "The wind must be about nor
nor'-west. Cheerful for anything coming
up to Bristol from the southwark. won.
der what storm is like on this coast.
have great mind to 60 and see.
shall never be able to get that hhIl door
open without waking them up; what nui--
sance! Stay, capital idea! III so by the
window"
Before starting upon his expedition, he
changed the rains of his evening dress (for
he had been writing in his dressing -gown)
for IL flannel shirt and trousers, whilst IL short
pea jackct and glazed hat completed his
array. His room was on the first foar, and
he had intended to drop from the window
sill; but the branch Of an elm came so near,
he found that unnecessary, as springing to
it he was on the ground, like cat, in an
instant. He soon found his wuv across the
country. "lIk Il bird,' to the edge of the
cliff. The sea for miles seemed one sheet Of
funm.
Bnt Cash of lightning discovered a
group Of figures about Il quarter of mile
distant and he distinguished shouts in the
interval If the storm.
He was soon amongst them, and be
found that all eyes were turned on a vessel
which had struck on II rock within two hun
iIea wards Of the cliff. It va. E, idrnt
she would 60 to pieces under their very
ewes.
"ls there no wny of "pcning commun,ca-
ton with her = he asked Of an old coast
guard man.
S.Wh, b,ro Il
for Manhy's rockets. but she must break 10
before they come
slow far is 1t to Bllford:'
Better than seven miles. your honor"
''lt we could get arope to them, We might
save the crew.
"Every one Of them, your honor; but j,
amt po>,ibIc.'
| ~ think Il man might swim out.'
''The first wave would dash him to pieces
against the cliff"
/ "What depth of water belnw: :"
| The deep.r the better. What distance
20 the wntcr:'
a good fifty feet"
swell, have d;ved of the man-yard Of
the Chesapeake. Now listen to me. Have
You got some light. strong rope"
! as much as You lIke.'
| "WrlI, take a donhl" coil round my chest,
and do you take care TO pay it out fast
enough rs draw upon it,
"lon won't draw much after the first
plunge it will be the same thing as suicide,
every Bit"
"Well, we shall see. There's no time to
be lost lend me u kuife.''
And in an instant he whipped OF his hat,
boots, and pea Jacket; then with the knife
he cu off his sleeves. and pissed the rope
! through them, that it might chaf" him less.
! The eve Of the old boatman frightened.
/ There was evidently method in his mad
ness. 'Nou are II very good swimmer,
suppose, sir:'
Il have dived through the su.f at Nu4u
heva Il few times
81 never knew a white man TINT could do
that
! "Iyrawley SMILED. "Bnt whatever you
do he sad, "miul and let me have plenty
of rope. Now out Of the way, my friends,
! and 1t me have u clear start.'
! lie walked slowly to the edge of the cliff.
! looked over to see now much the rock shelly
ed outward, then returned, looked 10 see if
there wa. plenty Of rope for him 70 carry
out, then took II short run. and lehped ~ If
from the springug board Of a plugging
bath. lie touched the water full Eve, and
twenty feet from the edge Of the cliff
| Down into its dark depth he went, Ike q
! piummet, but soon to rise again. As he
reached the surfrce, he saw the crest of
mighty wave few yards in frGnt uf him
the wave that he had been told WIS to dash
! him iifcless against the cliff. But now his
old experience in the Pacific 81: II in
good stead. FJr two momr;.r. he .vaws
breath, then, ere it reaches him, he dives be-
low its center. The water lashes against
| the cliff, but the swimmer rises far beyond
it. \ faint cheer rises from the shore rs
they feel him draw upon the rope. The
waves follow in succession. and he dives
again and again, rising like m otter to take
breath, making very steadily onward,
though more below the water than above
1t.
We must now turn to the ship. The
waves have made a clean breach over her
bows. The crew are crowded upon the stern.
! They hold on t. the bulwarks, and await the
end, for no boat can live IN such sea-
Suddenly she is hailed from the waters.-
"ShIp IL hoy ~ shouts n loud, clear voice,
which makes itself heard above the storm.
Throw me a rope or a buov!' The ife
buoy was still hanging in its accustomed
place by the manmnst. The captain almost
| mechanically takes it down, and with we'll
directed aim throws it within yard Or two
Of the swimmer. In moment it is under
his arms, and in half II minute he is on
board.
Come on board. SIR" he saysto the cap
tain professionally. The captain appeared
to be regarding him as n visitor from the
lower world; SO, turning to the crew, he
lifted up the rope he had brought from the
shore. Then, for the first time. the object
of his mission flashed upon their minds, and
desperate cheer broke forth from all hands.
instantly re-echoed from the shore. Then
a strong cable is attached to the small rope
and drawn on board-then ond-and
the communication is complete. Bat no
tiina is to be lost. for the stern shows signs
of breaking up, and there is lady passen
ger. While the captain i. planning Il sort
of chair in which she might be moved, Ty-
rawey lifts her up on his left arm, steadies
himself with his right BY the upper rope,
and walks along the lower as If he had been