The Morning herald., 1876-11-16
CORD AND CRRBSB.
SINKING IN DEEP WATERS.
CHAPTER ".

s1NKINa IN DEEP WATERS.
BRANDON, overwhelmed by the rush Of
|aters, half suffocated, and struggling in
Ae rush Of the waves, shrieked out few
esparing cries for help, and sought to
eep his head above water as best he
build. ,c But his cries were borne Oft by
fierce winds, ald the ship as it careered
ad!y before the blast was soon out Of
earring.
He was q frst-rate swimmer, but in
y like this it needed all his strength and
Ii his skill to save himself from Impend-
pg death. Encountered by his clothes it
las still more difficult, yet 80 fierce wa.
he rush of wind aud wave that he dared
ot stop for a moment in his struggles il
rider to divest himself Of his clothing.
At first, by mere blind instinct, he
ied to swim after the ship, az though by
ny possibility he could ever reach her
gain, but the hurricane vas against him,
md he was forced sideways far out Of the
eourse which he was trying to take. AT
ast the full possession Of his senses was
restored, and following the ship no longer,
he turned toward the direction where
that sand island lay which had been the
cause Of his disaster. At first it was hid
den from view by the swell of waves that
rose in front, but soon rising upon the
crest of one of these he perceived far away
the dark form of the cotin-shaped rock.
Here then before him lay the island, and
toward this both wind and wave impellsd
him. ..,p.
But the rock was far to the right, and
It might be that the island did not extend
Jar enough to meet him as he neared it.
It was about five miles in length, but in
lis efforts, be might not be able to reach
ven the western extremity. Still there
Tas nothing else to do out to try. Reso-
ptely, therefore, thou,sh half despairingly,
. put forth his belt strength. and strug
led manfully to '1in the shore.
That lone AID barren sand bank, after
n, offered out feeble chance for life.
Iven If he. did reach it, which was doubt.
whs.. could he do2 Starvation instead
fdro wning would be- his fate. More than
(n'.e it occurred to him that it would be
,etter then and there to give up all efforts
md let himself go. But then there came
be thought of those dear ones who waited
or him in England, the thought OF the
|illain who had thrown him from the
hip, and the grea,er villain who had sent
i'm out on his murderous errand. He
ould not bear the idea that they should
triumph over him so easily and so soquickly.
His vengeance should not be taken from
bim; it had been baf1ed, but it still nerved
bis arm.
A half hours struggle, which seemed
ike many hours, had brought him much
bearer to the island, but his strength was
almost exhausted. His clothes, caught
the rush Of the waves, and clinging to
bin, confined the free action OF bis limbs,
Ind lent an additional weight. Another
balf hours exertion might possibly bring
him to the shore, but that exertlon hardly
seemed possible. 1t was with dithculty
bow that he could strike out. Often the
rush Of the waves from behind would
overwhelm him, and i. was only by con-
vulsive efforts that he was able to sur
mount the raging billows and regain his
breath.
Efforts like these, however, were too
Exhausted to be long continued. Nature
failed, and already wild despair came
over him. For quarter of an hour
longer he had continued his exertlons
and now the island was so near that a
quarter of an hour more might bring MIN
toit. But even that exertion Of strength was
now no longer possible. Family ana
feebly, and with failing limbs aud hercely.
throb;,ing heart, he toiled on, until at last
any further effort seemed Impossible;
Before him was the mound which ne hae
noticed fromth ship. He was az tne
western end Of the island and saw that ne
was being carried in such direction ina. s
even if he did struggle on he might DC DC
borne helplessly past the island ana 'a. oa.
into the sea. Already he could look pas! y.
the island, and see the wide expanse o. !
white foaning waves which threteneo 70 ~
eengulf him. The sight weakened wha. - !.
llttle strength was left, and maue n''
efforts even feebler.
De.pailingly he looked arouno, ..;9i n1i
knowing what he sought, but seeking ~. ~.
'or something, he knew not whst' AZ tu"'