The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-10-15
Then a Ct v arose. Through the toss

ing CfeSCS, lar OuG al sea, Cdue tlle WulCc
line of a sail. Nearer, nearer.:and the
high ledge was thronged with watchers
who had hurried there; men from the
shop and harbor, and women and chill
dren, from the cottages, for a fear had
seemed to fall on them all and fill them
with dread-the fear that the vessel in
the mad fury yonder vas one that held
lives dear to them-was the Spray.
On she came. the foam flying over her
and often hiding her from view; and
still the stray sights given had told the
watchers thas their fears were realized
it was the Spray.
There were white lips and prayers,
but no tears. Death was q thing with
which the jewellers on Rough Reef Beach
were too we'll acquainted to call for such
a notion until it came.
They knew that Holt was making for
the harbor, and, could he make it, would
be safe. But would he make it?
Still the Spray came rushing on
White faces watched her, but whitcst
of all was that of Sarah Pentley.
"Oh, John, John-1 love you, I love
your
So rang the echo in her heart; and if
he should be lost, would it not ring so
forever?
When she knew it was the Spray that
was driving before the storm and heard
that it was a mere chance whether she
would come in safe or not, then, with
the shadow of death hanging low over
her lovers head. her heart had awakened
to the knowledge that he was all to her.
"He shall not die-oh, God is too
good" she said. And so she waited
and watched.
A few yards more-only u few yards
more and then NIL would be known.
"Oh, God!" There was despair in the
cry, and death seemed to reach out its
hand to take the crew of the little craft.
AS she entered the channel that ran
through the reef. a gust of wind seized
the sails of the Spray and shook them,
and before John Holt could shift the
helm to meet the emergency, q huge
roller dashed the little craft high or the
reef and rolled over her.
Then it was that the cry arose; a cry
that MI but one mouth echoed, and that
mouth grew firm and set, and whispered
rather than spoke:
He shall not die"
A small boat-a mere shell to meet
the mad shock Of the sea-lay in the little
cove formed by the ledge, and sheltered
by its strength. Into this Sarah PenJley
jumped, and before any one was aware OF
her intention. or could stop her, she had
pushed out into the boiling 70 I'M at the
cove>s mouth.
Her father called to her, but she kept
on.
II love him. and will die with him or
save him." she answered, but the wind
drowned her voice. Eager eyes watched
her, eager hands were stretched out to
save her, when a wav came roaring in
but it scented that fate or God was
with her.
Slowly, but surely. she went on, the
swirl of the sea sending her this way
and that-and now other eyes than those
on the ledge watched her.
Clinging to the fast breaking schooner,
John Holt and his companions saw the
little boat tossing in the foam. yet stead
lily making way. Then Holt recognized
the woman who was risking all for
them. and shouted for her to 60 back.
She did not hear.
They had done all to ave themselves
that they could. Lashedt to a spare spar,
the only hope after the sea had de-
stroyed their boats, with such high
floats us they could seize, the crew ofthe
schooner were waiting the end. They
remembered that death had always
been king here, and hoped not for relief.
Then the boat came: but they knew
that only one could get in it, and before
it could return to them again the end
would come.
"Quick, a long line" said Holt, ex-
citcdly. eff the boat a carry one
ashore, they can draw US into the cove
A piece Of rope still chung to q Delay
ing pin-this was DOR severed from its
hold, and fastened to the spar, and when
the boat reached the small spot of sea
that was partially protected by the
wrecking vessel, Holt shouted out his
wishes and hope.
joy! she hears and understands, and
as the rope is flung to her, grasps it
firmly. The wind, too, helps her now
FOR it bears her along toward Eerrope.
Not a moment too soon either-for
lust rs the swirl again encircled her boat
the schooner broke up, and the spars
and planks mingled with the yeasty
foam.
Waves broke over them, fragments of
the wreck dashed against them, still
they felt that they were going on howard
safety, and on the beach strong hands
were waiting to seize the line and bring
them ashore.
Hands that were SO eager that their
owncrs waded out into the surf, to be
dashed back on the sands.
At last the boat, still forced on by its
weary but undaunted mistress, rose on a
heavy roller, and came rushing up the
cove. to be grasped and held firmly
against the action of the two by strong
and nervous hands. o..
As the spar reached the shelter of the
ledge, strong arms encircled the half
dead forms dashed thereto, and bore them
to the land.
Joy, Joy! None were dead, though ex-
element and bruises had rendered John
Holt scnseless. But life came, and as he
opened his eyes. their glance was met by
one so fond, so loving, that he closed
them again, thinking that he was dream
ing or dead.
But they were not dead lips that whis.
pered:
John, am I forgiven and loved
now?"
Then his arms clasped her form, and
Sarah Pentley knew that love and for
giveness were hers.