The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-10-14
BIDDEFoRD, Me-, FRIDAY MORNING
his example, determined to pull homo and

his example, determined to pull homo and
change my clothes.
"well, will have one moro try"
thought, "as have to pass tho major. Per.
baps he may like to 60, too"
When came up to him hc had put down
the paper, and was watching his son through
a field. glass. Miss L'i,h was sitting ut his
feet, skctcbing and talking to him.
81 am afraid larry is going out too far,
Helcn," heard him say.
"But he is such capital swimmer, papa.
Where is he now?"
She then closed her skctch.book and stood
by his side, looking across tho sunny water
for her brother.
"Thcrc that little black speck is his head.
lie is coming back now."
Oh! what way he is out. Oh papa,
what is the matter ~ she said, as strong
cry from Mr.. Lsith reached her ears.
"No,hins, nothing. Keep still, girl" he
said, beckoning to me.
In minute we had scrambled into the
boat. and We had left the beach,
Pull. man He has got the cramp ! A
hundred pounds If you reach him before he
sinks Harry Harry he bawled out, "koep
up. Oh my boy, for Gods sake, keep mp !!
Pull with your left. Now you are straight.
Pull both. Hard !"
have often rowed in race. but never
pulled with such will as | did that day.
The boat was the best in Clifgate, and it
seemed to fly over the water rs | put all my
strength and weight into each stroke. l have
Just dim recollection of seeing crowds upon
the beach running about, while the major
stood in the stern without moving or speak
ing, watching his sinking son.
"Oh! my God, he is down." burst from
the old gentleman us he sank backwards up
on the seat and covered his face with his
hands.
can remember dropping the oars and
tearing of my hat and boots. As | turned
round saw, scarce six yards from the head
of tho boat, a hard rise, then hcad-it was
his last struggle-and then both went down
together. a moment afterwards was in the
water, catching hold of something large and
white, and rising with it to the surface.
How found it. don't know but | knew
it was the young man. | felt his arms cling
to my neck, and his weight pull me down
could swim well, and us my head rose above
the water, and saw the glorious bright sun,
my love Of earth seemed SO strong, and the
thought of death 80 terrible, that struggled
hard to keep aaoat. But my clothes were
thick and impeded my limbs. His arms were
tightly claspcd round my neck. and his dead
weight was pulling, forever pulling me down
Then something dark came between Inc
and the light, and the old boat, with the
major in it glided past almost at arms length,
made clutch-a rope was trailing in the
water-and as caught it, and pulled myself
with my burden to the side, heard u shou,
from the beach, and elt the majors hand
unclasping his son'sarms from my neck.
"l'll hold him. You get in at the Other
side. Come. that's well donc," ho said, as
VIC lifted Mr.. I.ei,h into the boat. "Now
YOU row in, and III soon bring him to-"
IL was not the first time, as afterwards
learned, that the major had helped rcsusci'
tate half.drowned person. Hc knew exact.
ly what to do and under his skitul treat
ment. his son opened his eyes before We reach,
ed the shore.
al must dress him before can convey him
home." said the major.
So | took them to the young mans bath.
ing machine, and then pulled away. partly
to change my clothes and partly to avoid be-
ing known. succeeded in the latter better
than. had hoped; for, when met the maj
or and his daughter on the parade in the al.
tcrnoon, they did not recognize me. | had
left my slouchins hat at home. and my hair
and whiskers were not then plastered to my
face with water. also found out that mo-
body had noticed me in the morning :; SO
determined to play on my new character as
boatman. Whereupon, the next day, assum'
ing the old disguise, went forth again in
search OF fresh adventures.
"Oh! there he is, papa" Miss Lsth said,
as | passed.
"Ah! so he is. Here, my man, we will
go for pull to-day. How are you this
morning; Caught no cold yesterday,
hope?"
'.By Jove don't know how to thank
you," said Mr.. Henry Leith, shaking my
hand as soon as he was in tho boat. "But
want to have jaw with you some time."
Then tho major. muttering some thanks,
held out his hand; and Miss Leith gave Inc
her brightest smile, which priced more
than all.
"Ilow strange. papa" she said, reading
the name of the boat. "You know Miss
Hemery told us to have this one before VIC
came"
"Blcss me, yes. have heard q great deal
about you, Mr.. Baker (old DAM. heard
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