Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-01

Britain, so we always say, ready 10
60 out at minutes notice. Don't
look so frightened, dear. Shall wo
go 70 bed %
80, nor pleaded Alice; "let us
wait for Mr.. Gwynne. 1t looks so
terrible night for sleep or rest"
Down upon the shore at Ferry
bank breathless, eager crowd had
gathered, leaning hard against the
wind, and blinded by the spray
which dashed in showers to the
wild shore. Gazing-gazing out
into the darkness which hid the
hungry sea, they waited while the
wide doors of the life-boat house
were unlocked and the great boat
wheeled down to brave the storm.
Amid all the mightier sounds Sir
Bulkley Gwynne's voice rose clear
and sharp, as watching the trained
crew take down their life-boats,
he counted them rapidly.
"One is nissing-Hugheai
Where is Hughes Z" f t
No one had seen Hughes, but
half hundred voices called his
name now.
"His place must be supplied"
the Squire shouted, sharpely and
distinctively. "We dare not delay
one sound"
A young man, who had been
active and prompt in his help, came
into the light of the lamp which
Sir Bull1ley held. / am ready, Sir
Bulkley let me go. You know that
an oar is no new toy to me. If you
refuse me | shall take out my
fathers boat. Listen (! Could I
stay upon the shore here while the
drowning plead for help? In the
rockets light / saw the life-boat
from the brig put out, and ! know
it could not pull through such
sea as this. Let me go, Sir Bulk
ley"
AS he spoke the Baronet, raised
the lamp which he was placing in
the boat, saw in his face the steady
bravery which was so plain in his
low quick tones.
"Vaughan. I did not know you
were here. / trust you in this as I
have trusted you before. Go, IL
you think it WELL"
"Thank God," said Owen, softly,
as the Squire wrung his hand.
Amid cries and prayers of the
excited crowd, the strong, swift
boat put out upon the dangerous
surf, and all eyes followed its light
as it rose and fell upon the waves,
and slowly neared that other faint
light which glowed of the masthead
of the struggling vessel.
Only five miles from shore, tho
brig could be now and then dis
tinctly seen in the sudden blazing.
Of the rockets. Yet how the lights
reeled and tossed and would not
meet!
"Sir Bulkley, I've been Ill for
weeks, sir"-the once member of
the crew who had been absent
when the life-boat started,. came
painting breathlessly upon the
scene "but l saw the rockets, and
could not lie upon my bed and
leave my place here empty"
"The boat is out upon its duty,
Hughes" the Baronet answered, q
little sternness in his voice, though
he marked pityingly tho mans
panied breathing. "Your place is
filed by one who will do his duty
even to death%
at shouldn't have been Owen
Vaughan, though" said Hughes,
when the bystanders had told him
of the launch. "His arms have not
been in lately for that sort Of work
and they say that, two or three
years ago, he was forbidden to use
an oar. What could induce him
to 90 when he knew that? All,
there see how she rides that heavy
sea-God bless her!'
The waves sobbed gently and
softly, tired of the passion ate un
rest of their long night; and gazed
upon them with wide and fearless
ewes, as if their mellow plash be-
wildered her, Alice stood again at
that window from which she could
not see Ovens cottage home.
1t was quite late in the morning
when Mr.. Gwynne returned to tell
of the scene upon the seashore last
night.
"After all, I'm thankful to tell
you only one accident occurred" he
said wondering at the depth and
sadness of Alice's sympathy, ''but
it was q painful one indeed. That
young Vaughan, Of whom my un-
Gle told you so much, Miss Hope.
happened to be at his mothers cot
tage-came only yesterday or the
day beforehand volunteered to
take one place in the lifc-boat, beg
ged for il, indeed. Splendidly did
/ he handle his oar, so all the crew
saw. and. was untiring in all he
could do for the rescued. Strong
and brave and ready, they said |;
and If you knew him you would
understand what that means.
Whether il was only that he work.
ed too hard, or whether he himself
in some way, is not known, but
when he tried to land he fell upon
the beach. l helped to carry the
poor fellow into his mothers cot