The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-09-16

into the interior Of the building.
We watched our opportunity, and
when the water for a moment rece-
ded sprang out on TO the platform.
We closed the entrance securely,
then leaping to the life.boat pre-.
pared for action.
We heard a grating and then q
pounding noise. The black hulk
was aground. The waves were
leaping over her. Around her the
sea boiled and lashed itself furious.
ly. 10 the momentary lull OF the
storm We heard the voice of those
on board crying for help-help
Even now when l recall the terror Of
that night my blood curdles and
grows cold in my veins.
We launched the life.boat. The
wind and sea were too strong for
us. We conld but wait and watch.
We thought we saw the great ship
reel to and fro like drunken man,
and then from her, and above the
voice OF the tempest, there came a
roar, and a tearing, a grinding
noise the belabored vessel had
parted amidship! We could see
10 the turbulence of the sea the hull
go to pieces. 1t was as paper in
the storm. On the planks, torn
from her sides and decks, we
thought We could see human
beings.
"Nowr shouted my assistant in
my ears; snow, let's see il we can.
not save some Of those people ~
We pushed into the boiling, surg.
ing, frothing sea. Vigorously We
worked at the oars. 1t was all In
vain. A white object floating near
attracted my notice. 1t was with
in arms reach, l grasp it and drew
1t beside the boat. IL was a woman.
The face was upturned. The eyes
were open and CLASSY. 1t was a
corpse. For help to take this in l
motioned rather than spoke. Par.
sous bent over and shouted in my
ear:
ave cannot help the dead. 1t
is the living we must seek and
save "
A wave struck the corpse and
before l could secure it, it was torn
from my grasp. / again seized my
oar and together we worked slowly
toward the wreck, which was now
rapidly breaking up.
Parsons saw a body fastened to
a plank. He thought there might
be life in it. We pulled toward it.
lie reached out, leaning far out
over the side of the boat. As he
grasped the body by the shoulder
the surging boat surged and swung
around. In an instant my true
friend was pulled out into the ter.
rible sea. Before l could compre-
hend what had happened he was
far beyond my reach, beyond all
human aid. The good fellow had
lost his life to save that of another.
While attempting to control the
boat saw close to its stern anoth-
or object. 1t was also on q plank.
| could now see it move. ] leaped
aft, aud seizing it, drew it rapidly
on board.
Fortunately for me the wind and
the waves carried the life. boat to-
ward the lighthouse. 1t was un-
der perfect command. Again good
luck favored me. The boat was
lifted clear upon the rock and with
iu reach of the platform by a great
wave.
With the seeming strength Of a
giant | lifted my waif of the sea in
my arms and leaped upon the step
near the closed entrance. l had
left the key in the door. ! seized
il and shot back the bolt. The
stout door swung wide on its hinges.
l entered and closed it as q billow
struck it with terrible force.
Climbing the narrow stairway, /
reached the small circul ar room IN
which we usually sat, idly enough
at times. There was lamp burn
ing. / placed my charge upon a
lounge. The light illuminated her
face, pale as that Of ghost. A
glance assured me the girl l had
rescued was young and of a strik-
ingly pleasing countenance. At
last l had the satisfaction of seeing
her eyes, of a deep blue, open upon
me.
At FIRST the saved girl could not
comprehend the situation. Gradu-
ally, however, all came back to her.
In q few days her youth and con-
stitution brought her to her pris-
tine health and vigor. I need not
say how deep her gratitude was to
me for saving her from the jaws OF
death on that fearful night. All
her family went down. She was
alone in the world, o stranger in a
strange land.
Poor Katie Divine--that was her
uame--excited in me o c0mmisser-
alton that soon grew into friend
ship. What followedf Deep, abid'
ing love.
BE had barely uttered the words
when O handsome, Inatronly woman
entered the gallery. Her feature e.
we're finely ehiseled. She smiled
pleasantly.
"This,p he said, sis my price iron
the sea-my wife, Mrs. Markson.'
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