The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-17

regain the position we had left ere at-
tempting the ledge. and which new,
from the force of comparison, seems q
very haven of refuge.
My first care is to soothe Jack, which
after time / succeed in doing, 50 much
as to make him talk coherently.
The poor brave lad excuses himself,
and says
~I am not frightened, but I feel SO
weak and shaky, Pm sure couldn't pos
sibly stand on my legs"
This is selfevident fact, as he Is still
trembling like an aspenleaf.
From the time of getting seated have
been casting about in my mind for some
means of escape from our quandary; but
puzzle my brain as l may, I see only too
plainly that our only hope lies in getting
back so far on the ledge as to be able to
drop off into deep water on the boats
arrival. The remedy is almost as bad as
as the disease, but, it is absolutely the
sole chance left us. But how to manage
it? Neither Jack nor Hassan can trust
himself on his legs.
Jack solves the problem.
couldn't We" he suggests "shufle
along in the sitting postureT
Happy thohghtl But Master Hassan,
who is on the right, and must therefore
lead the way, will not bulge. First l
entreat. No use. Then threaten. Still
same result. As a last resource tell
him that if he doesn't move at once I'll
pitch him off the ledge. This has the
desired effect, and sets him in motion.
Our mode Of progression is neither
painless nor improving to our garments;
still it is progress, and we are thankful
for very small mercies.
AT last we reach the rise; beneath us
the gap. The shark has taken his de-
parture; but, to add to our misery, the
sun is painfully near the horizon, and in
these ATTITUDES there is no twilight.
"Jack, could you manage, do you
think, to mount the rise~' I ask, "for
then we can get back to our first resting
place."
He shakes his head and answers:
"Not to save my life."
This makes me desperate, for 1t has
just dawned upon me that boat might
pull about all night without discovering
our whereabouts; so resolve on making
an attempt to find my way back; for |
knew that although one boat would GER
tainly be sent in search of us, another
was sure to be stationed at the beach on
the chance of our return.
l communicate my resolution to Jack,
but he implores me most piteously not
to leave him. ! urge him not to be child
ish, and explain that he has only to sit
still and wait; and / remind him that he
must not get impatient and out of heart
if the boat doesn't arrive as soon as he ex-
pects Ultimately he consents; and |
mount the rise, assuring him that il l
find myself unable to scale the cliffs he
may shortly see me back again. :,
"Please be as quick as yeu possibly
cam" are his par ting words as I set out
Irecross the ledge, looking at every
step for some means of ascent; finding
none, I commence descending by the
same path we had originally climbed.
When about half way down an opening
presents itself On nv left. Bbranch off a
silert distance, and soon am once more
scrambing upwards as FAST as the quick
ly fading light will permit.
Three bells {8: 30 p. n.y. are striking
on board the Bee as l reach the beach,
and sink utterly PROSTATE on the sand.
On ooming-to find nay head supported
by the Doctor.
"Water, waterl" are my first words,
which he gives me very sparingly; he
then has me carried to the boat, where
get some brandy which reviyes me 80 as
to enable me to tell my story. A boat,
with Markham in charge has already
gone in quest; but in the twinkling Of
an eye we are flying through the water
at racing speed to the rescue, impelled by
the brawny arms of twenty English blue
jackets w.
We are no sooner "under weigh than
the Doctor begins:
81 told you so; I knew how it would
turn out! What Grass, foelishness," ETC.
This is too good a chance; so he proses
on, riding his hobby to his hearts con-
tent. l bear the infiction silently with
a good grace, but am thankful when it
is brought to full stop by Boko-who
is steeing-hailing:
"Oars, men; here comes the other boat.
Have you got them~ yells Boko, as soon
as the boat closes lis.
"No; can see nothing of them," Mark
ham answers.
"Ceme with us, then; Louis is here"
Boko calls back. "Give way, men!" and
with a will the boats crew bend their
back to the oars. ...
On we sped, shaping our course paral-
lei to the cliffs. 1t is quite dark, and the
sea calm as mill-pond; the plash of the
oars and the ripping of the waves against
the rocks being the only sounds that dis
turb the stiffness.
Presently Boko halls:
"Jack!"
No answer.
Ten minutes more, and again he
shouts:
"Jackp
This time faint response comes to us
from some distance ahead.
"Shove her along, menp Boko excit-
edly urges: and the boat ia almost lifted