The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-06-10

Gideon, tax fast hold O. the rope, an
let me doon-slowly-mind ye-slow-
ly. III save the BARNS, God willin',
If they're nae yet swoopit oop by these
big incoomin' waves"
The sobbing cries of the woman and
children ceased, and only the hoarse
roar of the hungry waves broke the 81
lence, as the men, rendered apt by
long practice, carefully lowered their
comrade down the almost perpendicu-
lar face of the cliff that overhung the
mouth of the cavern.
The strain upon the rope ceased
and after moments that seemed like
hours to the waiting group above, the
signal from below was given, and with
laborous carefulness the strong men
upon the cliff drew slowly up the ad-
ditional weight.
The head of man first appeared
above the edge, and not a soul breath
ed as skillfully and firmly, the two
men drew upward to the light the
welcome form of Sandy with a lad
clasped safe in his strong arms.
Its McLane's -Johnnie!" cried a
chorus Of grateful voices, and the ex-
hausted boy fell into the arms of his
mother.
There's three mair!" CALCULATED
Sandy, pausing for moment to get
breath after his perilous ascent; then
making a motion to his comrades, he
again tried the same terrible pathway.
He was longer this time in reaching
the summit, and when he again ap-
peared with another of the dripping
lads in his arms, he staggered and
would have fallen but for the prompt
support of his helpers
Its awful" he gasped, scarcely
able to articulate "The waves hae
harder fists than ony boxer in the
Hi'lands." +"
But I'll nae gin oop for that" he
added, as the white piteous face of
Mistress Graham was uplifted in mute
appeal to his own; and again he dis
appeared from their strained and anx-
ious eyes.
Minute after minute passed, and
the agony of suspense became almost
unbearable, when suddenly the men
above begun, with nervous haste to
pull up the rope.
Slowl "a deader weight than ever
before, their burden seemed-and as
they landed the brave man and his
half unconscious charge upon the turf
above, he gave one long, shuddering
groan, and fell heavily forward, COM
pletely overcome by the terrible buff
fetings of the cruel waves
Warmed to life by his mothers
tears and kisses, Donald struggled to
his feet, crying wildly, where's
Davie?"
"For the love o heaven!" he cried
desparingly, as he looked round upon
the white, helpless faces, and Sandy's
still unconscious form, stretched out at
his feet, will nae ane save that puir
laddie? He wad hae it, that should
take the foremost chance, an moo he's
drownin' down there in the darkness
all alone."
Half-maddened at the thought, the
poor boy wrung his hands in an agony
of despair, as he glanced from one to
the other in that uncertain light, and
realized only too well that there were
none among them all capable of dar-
ing the perilous task Of rescuing the
unfortunate lad who still remained in
| the cave, and to whom the fast ad-
vancing waves must soon bring death.
Drenched and exhausted as he was.
neither argument no persuasion could
induce Donald to leave the cliff until,
with the mornings dawn and subsid-
ence of the storm, boat put out,
manned by four stout rowers, and in
an hours time returned with the body
Of the drowned lad, whose white, cold
| lips still wore the same loving smile
With which his last farewell had been
spoken.
"Gae first Donald" he had said,
''an' tell mither that Davie minded
the last word she spak til him, an will
keep his aith to the lastp'
Many tear fell upon that calm,
coffined face from eyes unused to
weeping, and when the white-haired
old minister lifted his trembling hands
in benediction upon the unconscious
sleeper, and tenderly repeated the
words, "Greater love hath no man
than this, that man lay down his
own life for friend" the sobs of the
whole congregation broke forth into
unrestrained weeping.
And many kind soul who had
made the poor, friendless boy welcome