The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-10-21

cry from Mr. Leith reached her ears.
Nothing, nothing. Keep still, girl, :"
he said, reckoning to me. In minute he
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,
"keep up. Oh, my boy. for Gods sake
keep up. Pull with your left. Now you
are straight. Pull both. Hard,'
have often rowed in race, but never
pulled with such will as I did on that
day. The boat was the best in Clifgate;
and it seemed to fly over the water as | put
all my strength and weight into each
stroke. | have just dim recollection of
seeing crowds upon the beach running
about, while the Major stood in the STERN
without moving or speaking, watching his
sinking son.
"Oh, my God, he is down" burst from
the old gentleman as he sank backward
upon the seat and covered his face with his
hands.
can remember dropping the oars and
tearing off my hat and boots. As | turned
round I saw, scarce six yards from the
head of the boat, a hand rise, then head
it was his last struggle-and then both
went down together. A moment after
ward was in the water, catching hold of
something large and white, and rising with
it to the surface. How | found it l don't
know; but | knew that it was the young
man. felt his arms cling to my neck and
his weight pull me down. l could swim
well; and as my head rose above the water
and | saw the glorious bright sun, my love
of earth seemed so strong, and the thought
of death so terrible, that I struggled hard
to keep afloat. But my clothes were thick
and impeded my limbs. His arms were
tightly clasped round my neck, and his
dead weight was pulling, forever pulling
me down.
Then something dark came between me
and the light: and the old boat, with the
Major in it, glided past almost at arms
length. l made clutch-a rope was trail
ing in the water-and as | caught it and
pulled myself with my burden to the side
heard the shout from the beach, and felt
the Majors hand unclasping his sons arms
| from my neck.
"Tll hold him: you get in at the other
side. Come, that's we'll DONE" he said, as
we lifted Mr.. Leith into the boat "Now
you row in, and I'll soon bring him to-
! 1t was not the first time as l afterward
learned, that the Major had helped to
resuscitatc half-drowned person. He
knew exactly what to do; and under his
skllful treatment his son opened his eyes
before we reached the shore.
| 81 must dress him before l can convey
him home,' said the Major.
! So l took them to the young fellow S
machine, and then pulled away, partly to
change my clothes and partly to avoid
| being known. | succeeded in the latter,
even better than had hoped; for when l
met the Major and his daughter on the
Parade in the afternoon they did not rec
ognize me. had left my slouching hat at
home, and my hal: and whskers were not
then plastered to my face with water. |
also found out that nobody had noticed me
in the morning. So l determined to play
on my new character of boatman. Where
upon, the next day assuming the old dis
guise, went forth again in search of fresh
adventures.
ooh. there he is, papa" Miss Leith
said, as l passed.
"Ah. so he is. Here. my man, we will
so for a 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, shaking my hand as
soon as he was in the boat. "But l want
to have a jazz with you some time"
Then the Major, muttering some thanks,
held out his hand; and Miss Leith gave me
her brightest smile, which | priced more
than all.
How strange, papa!" she said, reading
the name of the boat. =" You know Miss
Hemery told us to have this one before we
came"
BLESS me, yes! l have heard good
deal about you, Mr.. Baker. heard that
you were very sober, and very respectable,
and all that sort of thing. 1t scenes to
ME, too, that you were not always a boat
man. he said, CHANGING at my hands,
which were rather whittier than the flippers
of the sons Of Neptune usually are. $50,
if you like to give up this sort of life, why,
! I'll take care that you always have snug
roof over your head"
thanked him very much; but / told
him that liked my life very well. In fact
l was fairly stumped as to what to say.
| felt half inclined to laugh at being taken
for old Dan; and yet felt that the Major
ought not to be allowed to continue in his
mistake.
"You seem very young to be such a
hermit. Come, you must marry. l will
find you a wife, and keep her well too
"Yes, you must forget the Faithless
Maid now," said Miss Leith, smiling again.
| suppose she had heard some of the con-
| lectures about Dams life.
81 do not mean to be inquisitive," the
Major said, "but l can not bear to see a
young man like you, and one, too, who is
so superior to this sort of work, settling
down to such a life Remember what we
owe to you. Will you not tell me your
troubles l may be able to help you; and
l swear won't spare money or trouble to
make you happy"
Although, of course, did not want any
pecuniary help, his kind way in offering it,
and the fatherly manner in which he put
his hand upon my shoulder as bent for
ward, made me ashamed of the trick had
played upon him. He must sooner OF
later find it out: and wondered within
myself, as leaned over the oars, looking
down, with his hand upon my shoulder,
whether he would then be SO kind as now.
II should like to see you privately to,
morrow, SIR" | said, putting off the time