The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-24

TIC lslanu, IL always Kept at u respectable
distance, until the visits of boat or boat
man seemed thing of the past.
oh the eastern extremity Of Put in BAY
island an Old woman sat by hsr warm
cabin fire, busily patching up her "old
mans coat. She had been watching the
clouds that suddenly ovcrsprcud the sky.
Inc Wind had risen, few drops of rain
pattcrcd fitfully against the window pane,
inc doors ratified and shook, and the
snuttels cfcakcd uncasiy upon their
hinges. The old woman arose. stirred the
nre, ana, going to the window, gaiccd off
10 the "Dar' over which line after line of
breakers were already swelling. "We're
g0ln TO have another, nor wcster," she said
to herself. Il pity the poor vessels that
arc out o port. Then taking down n
case that hung in the corner, she took out
an old sea captains glass, and going to tho
door, adjusted it to her eye and proceeded
to sweep the horizon to see If any vessels
were in sight. Suddenly rc-adjusting the
glass, she directed it to some object tbat
had attracted her attention; a second glance
proved 1t to be small, open boat. far out,
struggling in the waves. 1t Disappeared.
thon rising, revealed single occupant, ap-
parently the figure Of woman. Suddenly
throWingsnp her hands, the old wop,an,
Daretheadcd} and bare -armcd, ran aloh,s the
pend OF the shore toward u house on the
bcach beyond. AS she approached a little
cove she came upon two young men who
nad Deeh changing the moorings OF their
BOAT TO more sheltered place, and were
making lheir faStenlngs az secure as posi-
olc. one OF tho young men was none
olhcr IMAM lorrey, WHO, in his full suit of
oilers" aud ''sou'wester,n n!looked like a
yerltablc Neptune. Ihe old woman
breathlessly pointed out over the while-
crested waters. AZ first nothing could be
seen, bln al last Torrey's quick eye caught
sight OF the dark object scarcely pcrcepti-
bic in the distance.
Take this SAID the old woman, hand
ing him the glass. .....
Its woman,' exclaimed Torrey,
throwing down the glass and turning im-
mediately toward one Of the boats with the
words, Lets co." looscncd tic chain, and,
grasplng the oars. sprang in.
Come on, jim" said Torrey. Don't
stand there"
| NO, replied Jim; ''it's no use for us to
risk our lives; nine chances oul. OF one we
| VIII go to the bottom before VIC get a hun
dred yards from Shore, A boat can't stand
looked like his. coastcd like pirate about
such a sea-"
Coward" exclaimed Torrey, 81 Thought
! you were more Of a man" SS
lhc words seemed to strike home, for
JIM made move toward the boat; Int at
that instant tremendous wave came rolling
shorcward. II struck the dock with roar,
lllnglnY the foam high into The air, and
drcncllng them, sheltered as they, were.
WIN shower OF spray. This seemed to
snake Jlm's determination, and drawing
back he gave to all Torrcy's urgings de-
| cidcd 10. = f.'. >,
Under the impetus of few powerful
strokes the boat swept from it's place of
shelter in the cove, and in few moments
had passed the line Of white breakers and
was p deep water, where, alone and un-
aided Iorrcy found himself struggling
land-to-hand with the sea. y AS is usual in
SUCH cases, an anxious group consisting of
men, women, and children gathered upon
the shores he had left, where, despite the
almost Watching and discussing tho posi-
Mlltles and probabilities of the situation.
Some thought the adventurcr brave and
daring; others thought him s'fool" for
running such risk, " and although differ
ing III regard to "whys" and "wherefores. {"
cahscs and ELECTS, it seemed to be con
turn were very slim indeed.
| II always thought the dare dovll would
venture once too often, and III stake nv
lie on IL It's oil up with him this time," OBJ
served Jim.
'rorcy was q good fellow" said IL
rough weatllerbeaten sailor, eulogizing as
if seeing in perspective, certain doom
awaiting his young friend. ~. a..'s
1,,,n2 ~ 81
watchers on the shore each minute seemed
an hour. Meantime by herclllean strength,
aided by GOODNESS and fortitude, and the
skill OF practised seaman, Torrey pulled
steadily against the great waves that threat
cned to engulf him, and ere long reached
the drifting boat. AS supposed, the occu-
pant was woman, who, evidently. in a
Kind OF stupor, cl,lng helplessly to its side
prize when he was struck by trenen ous
sea. For Lmonieht he seemed over
whelmcd; then the boat righted, and rose
half filled with water. lie looked for the
drifting boat, it had disappeared; then he
saw it again, close by, floating upon its
side, the woman clingng to the railing.
In an instant he had shipped his oars,
seized the capszcd boat, and rescued tho
woman. AS he drew her into the boat he
caught glimpse of the face; it was that of
Minnie Henderson. a sudden weakness
camesSover hhh, IFS strong barvc seemed to
Weaken foriah instant, then grew stronger
than ever. Taking piece of cord from
his pocket, he lashcd the benumbed and al
most inscnsible form fast to the boat and
taking up the oars, pulled to the nearest
point of Rattlesnakc Island. Tho cold
| waves swopt around anfl ithnrna{b ond
covered them with icy sheets of spray.
The boat was rapidly filling with water,
but still the nerves of steel grasped with
steady frmness tho bending oars. At
length they approached the shore, whcfe
were gathered the Henderson family. Tie
younger members had been weeping, and
all were tumultuous with hope and fear.
| ~ rope was thrown as soon as tho boat
had approached near enough to take 1t, and
by this means was hauled In close to tile
steep rocks, up which Torrcy with difllcul-
ty, bearing his precious burdep,sfo,nd an
ascent At this moment there was flut-