Sharp County record., 1880-10-14


across a wide and swift-hOwing channel
in the marsh, called the Thorough
fare" To reach them was Of the most
vital importance, for their hands only
could drag out and man the heavy surf
boat, or fire the mortar and rig the life
car.
All this passed through Wally's mind
in few seconds, and knowing that his
helpless father could do nothing, and
that an alarm might make him worse,
he sped silently down the stairway and
setting fire to a "COstOn torch" such
as are used by the coast guard in cases
of wreck, he rushed from the house,
swinging the torch, that burned with a
bright red flame, above his head as he
ran.
Half a mile across the sands there was
small boat landing, where a skitf uSu-
ally lay moored.
Toward this Wally sped with all his.
strength but, alas! the waves had lift
ed it, the winds had broken it from its
moorings and it was floating miles away
down the "Thoroughfare," and now
Wally stood upon the landing, in the
blackness of the night, full of despair.
He might swim, but he had never tried
half the width of the channel before.
He look into the blackness beyond and
hesitated; then at the lighthouse, where
his mother still sat in the little watch
room ministering to his injured fatheri
then he thought of the poor men out in
the breakers, whose lives depended up
on his reaching the crew.
But moment longer he stood, and
then throwing off his coat, he tied a
sleeve securely about post so it would
be known, in case he should fall how
he lost his life. And now he was in
the icv waters. The wind helped him
along, but the incoming tide swept him
far out of his course. AS he gained the
middle of the channel he thought how
bitter the consequences might be to his
father if the crew of the ship were lost,
for who would believe the story of the
wild fowls blow? This nerved his
tired arms, but the effort was too much
for his strength. He paused, and threw
up his arms. As his form sank beneath
the waves, his toes touched the muddy
bottom, and his hand swept among
some weeds. One more effort as be
came to the surface, and now he could
stand with his mouth out of water. A
moments rest, and he was tearing
aside the dense flags that bordered the
channel.
The Captain, good mile from the
Thoroughfare, had left his warm bed TO
fasten loose window-shutter, when he
saw a small form tottering toward him,
and Wally fell, weak and voiceless at
his feet. Restoratives were brought
and the boy told his story.
Ten minutes later half dozen of the
crew were on their way to the landing,
Wally, now fully recovered, foremost
among them. He seemed to possess
wonderful strength. They crossed the
channel, and dragged out the great
life-boat from its house. 1t hardly ap-
peared possible to launch it in such
sea, but each man, in his excitement,
had the strength of two, and without
waiting to be bid, Wally leaped into
the stern and grasped the helm.
HKeN done, boy" cried the Cap
tain. "rll take an oar /; we need all
help tonight"
Through the night the faithful crew
pulled, bringing load after load Of fmen,
women and children from the wreck of
the Argonaut to the shore, until all were
saved. The little house under the light
was we'll filed, and the sailors were
crowded into the life-saving station.
"Where is my fatherP" asked Wally;
and as a man came forward with his
head bandaged, in reply, the boy sank
down, and blackness came over his
eyes.
When he recovered he was in a beau
tiful room, into which the sun shone,
lighting up the bright walls, pictures
and carpets. He was on pretty bed
stead, and a strange lady sat by the
window talking to his mother. He
thoughtita all dream. The door opened,
and Mr.. Burton came in, dressed in a
fisherman's suit How queer he looked
in such garb! and Wally laughed at the
SIGHT, and thought that when he awoke
he would tell his mother about it.
1t happened that the ship which had
come ashore was one belonging to Mr..
Burton, who was on board, returning
from trip to the Mediterranean. So
he had opened the cottage at Three
Pine Point, and as the little house un-
der the light was full, had insisted upon
having Wally, with some others, brought
to his summer home, where he could
care for them.
Everybody had learned of the boys
brave swim, all had seen him in the life
boat, and they were anxious to have
him recover soon.
Wally, too, learned that the ship had
become helpless long before she had
struck the shore, and that her loss was
not caused by his fathers mishap.
When Wally had recovered, Mr.. Bur
ton and some of the other passengers
insisted upon taking him to the city,
where they had full suit of wrecker's
clothes made for him-cork jacket,
sou'wester and all. He was also pre-
sented with silver watch and a medal
for his bravery, When he was dressed
in his new suit Miss Elsie made a sketch
of him, whereupon Wally blushed more
than he had done during all the praises
lavished upon him.