The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-07-05

night slowly wore on. Once only
did Pearl Brandegee rouse herself
from her moaning lethargy. e. This
was when she heard Nathan propos-
ing to swim back to the reef.
81 would rather be with you all, :"
he said.
Then Pearl rose to her knees.
Nathan Day, don't dare to do it!
she cried; "the weight Of another
person might crush in the roof and
drown me. Don't dare to do it-Pn
push you off if you Gomez
"Don't try it, Mr.. Day." cried
Mary Rathbone in her turn; "yOu
might be swept down; you are safer
where you are"
The night wore on. The wind had
increased, and, although partly pro
tected by the island, we could fee
its force, while the little waves
drenched our clothes with spray
At length the gray dawn stole W
the eastern sky, and our courage re
vived.
"a tug!" cried Frank Ronalds.
1t was indeed a tug, sent out by
anxious friends in search of our par
ty. Watching eyes soon discovered
US, and, after some difficulty, she
ranged up alonside, and one by one
we were lifted up into life and hope
again.
"And now for Mr.. Day." said Ma
ry Rathbone.
The wind had roughened to a gale
blowing down stream; the river was
roughened with waves, and the sail
ors nesitated what do.
"We're pretty far down." they
said, ''but the Comets a staver to
work, she is, and 1 guess we're safe
enough. We shall have to drop
down little way and take the gen
tleman OFF that big rock yonder."
"Don't you try to do anything of
the kindp cried Pearl; "the gentle
man can wait until the wind goes
down; heis quite safe and comfort
able whern he is. When we get
back to Buffalo we can send another
boat after him. Don't risk my life
after all we have gone through, just
for the sake of taking him on board
now."
Nathan caught something of the
discussion. "Go onw he shouted,
waving his hand in token 10 proceed.
Kate was too much exhausted to
speak, but Mary Rathbone inter
posed, "Go on?" she cried with a
vivid red spot on each pale cheek;
"that they shall not! Go back, men,
and take up that gentleman, as you
said. Pay no attention to this lady
she has lost her senses"
"She never had anyp murmured
Kate.
After some delay the manevre
was safely accomplished, and Nathan
Day joined. our little group. The
Comet sped sturdily back against
the wind, leaving behind her the
wreck, the island, and all our ter
rors. We were safe at last.
Pearl recurled her hair, and re-
sumed her serenity. "How wet you
are, dearl" she said, touching Ma
than's wet clothes.
He did not answer, but walked
away, his pale face set and stern.
AS we came in sight of the piers,
Mary Rathbone astonished US by
fainting dead away and falling to the
floor. Nathan had lifted her before
any one else could reach her, and
Frank Ronalds sprsng forward to
chafe her cold hands.
"The pluckiest little woman in the
world" he said enthusiastically
"Tm afraid to think what would
have become of us if it had not been
for her sense and courage. She's
a regular trump, if ever there was
one"
1t was a dark day, with that raw
wind that belongs to the Western
lake-towns. On the dock stood Mrs
Brandegee, her silvery curls contrast
ing artisticslly with her black attire
her face picture of maternal solici
tude. In another instant she had
Pearl in her arms. "My darling
how do you feel2 Are you i'll? Are
you faint2 My angel, what have
not suffered? My heart has been
torn with suspense! How have you
endured the night? Have you taken
cold, my own one? You have no idea
what terrible anxiety has been felt
for you all over the city, my sweet
child! cried the mother, covering
Pearl with graceful caresses.
Frank Ronalds helped Kate and
myself into carriage; Mr.. and Mrs
Vanderheyden rode off together-he
sobered and surly, she cold and calm
as ever; and Alleyne Forsythe, after
vainly endeavoring to break through
the scornful reserve which Kate
made no effort to conceal, walked