The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-07-01
very nearly came up into the gallery. It

very nearly came up into the gallery. It
frightened me-"
That's nothing" replied Dobson.
You'll have it over the lantern afore
tomorrow. Hold up your hand--d'ye
feel the sat on itp"
Iput my palm to the wind, and then
touched my tongue with it. 1t was quite
salt to the taste.
You'll excuse me, sir, but you's
looking pale and worn out. Turn in.
and come up at daybreak. That's the
time to see the sea, and sunrise, too"
] knew the well-intentioned sailor
was quite right. l was overwrougbt ;
my nerves were highly strung-I wanted
rest.
Twill you call me early, or if any
thing turns upP"
will, sir; you shall know. One of
my mates is goin' ashore at dawn; I'll
hal you then for certain shure."
So we bade each other good might,
and descended to the sleeping-room
In semi-darkness. In ten minutes l
must have been sound asleep; the noise
of the waves dashing outside, and the
rushing OF the wind, far from keeping
me awake, were soothing to nv troubled
spirits. slept, nor di6 the restless
cuckoo in the clock, that whirred and
chiIped the hours through the stormy
night, wake me from my dreaming.
was half aroused by touch on tbe
shoulder and opened my eyes, but the
semi-darkness was still before them.
Then a voice knew said, "Tom's Just
of. but the mornings wet and stormy,
sir. Be advised and stay below; you"
had lain down again and WIS asleep
once more before he had completed the
sentence.
/ must have slept some time when a
dull sound aroused me. looked about
and it was not till the clock door burst
open and the bird came out that l re-
collected where I was.
"Cuckoo" l coun ted six strokes.
Then the dull and distant sound came
down upon the wind and began to
wonder what it was.
A third time, louder, and now flat
ter" so to speak, as if the wind had
caught the noise and borne it against the
stone pillar wherein lay. l could hear
Dobson and his companion hurrying
to and fro and in few moments, as the
former passed the door. called aloud
and he came in hastily.
What's the matter, Dobson?"
Vessel drifting in, disabled. She'll
strike | fear. They're signaling for help
don't We hear the gunsP"
He was gone. Guns! A vessel in dis
tress! Here was an adventure, indeed.
l leaped out of bed and hurried through
my toilet, from time to time looking out
upon the angry, tumbling sea, driven in
before southwest gale, in broken hills
of wa;er.
l ascended to the gallery. and the
grandeur of the scene beneath took my
attention for moment from the reeling
yacht that was drifting helplessly, it
seemed, fairly down upon the cruel line
OF jagged rocks that were now and then
visible to windward.
Now, mate said Dobson, you and
me must take this job in hand. Well
cross the rock before she strikes yonder,
and save the poor fellows"
TO their astonishment [ volunteered
to help.
Excuse me, sir, but you amt any
good in this. You can bear hand on
the lifeline, howsomdever; and if we
should not both turn up to muster,
why"
Without another word they shook
hands solemnly with me and with each
other, and then descended to the rock
| followed to the door and made fast the
lines they had secured about their
waists. The sea was now sweeping over
the rocks, and the Kissing of the foam
was like escaping steam, or the horrid
whizzing of an avalanche, which few
can hear and live after they have heard
it.
The men disappeared round the rock
and left me stP nding at the door irreso-
Lutte, lifeline in my hand, buoy at
tached to it hanging ready for use.
A loud cry attracted my attention.
grinding notes.-the vessel
had struck, and as l looked over the
swirling waves | could see.
though indistinctly, three white faces
and three pairs OF arms struggling in
the water. | was fascinated-I could
only stare. Help was yet out of the
question, but even as gazed one swim
mer, with great presence of mind, turned
with the waves toward the lee of the
lighthouse TO spot where in momen-
tary eddy he might be saved.
L saw this now. and pulling myself
together" step. ed cautiously lust with
out the reach of the Kissing waves
which swooped in masses down upon
the rocks and slid in smooth layers of
water, like thick glass, into the boiling
surf beneath. When l had reached a
coign OF vantage the poor swimmer was
still bravely battling with the underto W.
and in few moments hoped to be able
to heave the life buoy to his assistance.
1t seems so unreal to look back upon.
and were L not sure of all this sad
mornings's work could almost believe
it fancy. But there was no time to
think what to do. In another moment
[ had grasped the line and was about to
swing the buoy to the struggling,
man, when l recognized his
ie lures, notwithstanding the wild
spray and the disheveled hair that was
matted by the salt water around his
forehead
The swimmer was Frederick Bras
man who had all but killed
my darling sister-the traitor!
My arm fell listlessly by my side.
Agnes was dying, poor darling, almost
within sight of the heaving sea which
bore her faithless lover on its angry
bosom; and should save his life when
he has wrecked hersp No! My revenge
was complete. / had him in my power
The demon tempted me to let him bide
and die, and yet a strange sad compass
sion for the heartless destroyer of my
sisters life in his dire extremity filled
my heart.
He recognized me and called gasp
ingly for help; help for Agnes sake /!
For her sakel Did he dare to trade his
safety on her blighted lifeP And yet a.
the sound of her name the thought that
she had forgiven him his trespasses
against her now prevailed. called out
and hove the life-buoy close to him
He was almost spent, but clutched it
with the grasp of drowning men. Az,