The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-09-22

Rose said that Wild might go to the
light with Johnny to learn the news.
The two children set off in high glee.
The sky was clear, and the wind was
blowing from the west. The Highland
lighthouse was not more than q mile
away, and what could happen to the
children Nevertheless, Mrs. Rose
gave them many commands. They
were to return as soon as they found out
what news from Little Katie, and, if it
should snow, they were to go back or
forward, whichever way should be the
nearer, and, if near the coast, they ere
to go to the charity house in the bank,
and wait there for rescue.
The wind helped them on ther way,
and, to write the exact truth, blew so
hard and 80 fast, that it came very near
blowing them past the lighthouse over
the high bank into the ocean.
"It's tough day, tough day, even
for the Cape" ssid the lightkeeper, when
they reached the lighthouse, "and the
boats have drifted, Johnny. For the
the life of me, / can't make out the Lit
tie Katie" But Johnny made her out
without the slightest difficulty. OF
course he did Does not every Cape
Cod boy know his fathers boat2 More
than all, there hung the signal of dis
tress. The light-keeper saw it, and Wild
looked Mt it, and Johnny looked again,
and declared that: "Come what would
he'd get out there, and find out what the
matter was"
Then the glass was put away, and
they all went down, and the children,
thoroughly warmed, started for home.
A little cloud over Cane Cod bay grew
and came nearer and spread more and
more, and ut last began to drop down
like white snow on the sand.
"Come pitch into it as fast as you
can while we can see," said Johnny,
seizing Wild's hand and bowling. to the
wind. "We're three-quarters home and
we'll make it in no time"
1t was not dark, and Johnny knew the
land marks we'll. Here bunch of pow
erty grass and there forlorn clump of
bayberry, whose outlines he knew just
as he knew the outlines of the boats and
sails, served to guide him when the air
was thick with snow.
"We're lost!" said Wild, pulling
back and trying to stop Johnny; but the
sturdy little fellow declared that they
wern't lost Mt all; didn't he know all
about it2 Hadn't he "fogged" it many
time to the light and back2 Why,
there, right ahead, was pole that he
knew. OF course it was, right on top of
home; and there was mother calling this
minute, not fifty feet away.
All of which statements were quite
true and in five minutes they were safe
in the cabin, and had told their news
from the ice bound boats.
"Nothing to eat, maybe, and COLI,
perhaps. Not sick, I hope" said Mrs.
Wild and then, in rather.a dismal way,
she set forth the little table for their
evening meal.
CT should think you'd feel gladder
about our getting home safe, mother, "
said Wild; "for just see how it SHOWS. /"
am," said Mrs. Wild; L" but was
thinking of some way to help your
father"
"Do you think there is way2" asked
Wild. "You know the boats can't get
there, and the ice isn't SAFE"
elf was God," said Johnny, "I'd
fetch a big wind along that 'ud crack
that ice up small as fish scales in no
time
eyes, and sink every boat in no time p
suggested Wild, with scorn.
"Oh, dear |" said Johnny, "I guess
I was in too much of hurry but some
things got to be done!'
The wind had been blowing two hours
after dark, and the snow and sand were
whirling about in a long, round dance,
after the fashion of Cape Cod sand and
snow, when Wild called ont of the dark
ness to Johnny:
Are you asleep9"
Johnny guessed he wasn't asleep, al
though he had been fast asleep when
Wild's voice reached him, and wanted
to know what was the matter.
"I've thought of way, I guess, we
can reach the Little Katie, Johnny"
How2"
Johnny was up in the bed, leaning on
his hands, interested, in moment
"You know that big hank of net-twine
of fathers p
What of it 2" with disappointment.
Don't you believe 'twould reach 2"
Whose goin' to reach it, should
like to know 2"
When the wind blows right
"What, then, Wild Rosea Are you
talking in your sleep 2"
"Send kite overl" suggested Wild,
not needing the interruption.
"Whew !" exclaimed Jimmy, sinking
down into his warm bed again.
He didn't speak, and poor Wild
thought he held her scheme in extreme
derision nevertheless, Johnny was
thinking, even after his sister was
sleeping.
The next day it showed all day.
There was no chance to hear one word
from the fishing feet. Johnny declared
that he must go to the nearest neigh
boris house. He knew the way well
enough; but it was after nine o'clock
before he set forth.
Presently he returned with his friend,
Peter Petit, and the two lads spent the