The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-02-15

the signal, and Ut that thought I was bury
ing my face In my hands to give way to
despair. when something stopped ms-and
flsshi far out upon tho dark sea, there it
wasl 1sprang to my feet, every nerve ting.
ling. The moment for action bad arrived
paused fo- moment to picture to my
self the bearings of the buoy. I knew ex-
actly how it lay from he point for I had
swan round it often enough. But not in
the dark. Not with the water vast black
plain m1ngling with the black sky; not with
the fear of sinking to those mysterious
depths, unseen, unheard, unhelped. But 1
never hesitated. Into the cold food I
plunged, and struck out boldly in the dir
ection I had determined upon. After few
vigorous strokes the sense Of active exercise
exultation in physical power and use of
skill, overcame my n,isgivings. But they
came on again when ] looked around upon
that murky waste of water. Gould l be
Sure was going in the right direction?
Might not swim and swim and never find
that for which was in search, lose myself
and become exhausted-to sink beneath
that silent sky alone?
But on went struggling hard to keep my
wits about me- in spite of the horrors that
would rush over my brain again and again.
TWAS hard, physical work too, for tn tide
was coming in; there were breakers in the
shadows. and in the channel the stream
was fast and strong. It was impossible to
see more than few yards ahead, level as it
was with the water. With the tide running
20 hard ,ainst me, it was difficult to see
how far out had succeeded in getting.
Or &c all but gave up. got out of the
channel into the breakers, and tho buffet
ing and beating Devil dered me. so that
fell in sort OF pan,e. I threw myself on
my back, and in the very act-thanks to
my practiced eyesight, that could more OF
less see in the dark-I caught sight of the
buoy. There it was, bobbing up and down
looking 10 like thing of life. swan to
it and kept close by. It was like friend
in all this desolation of heaving seas. But
now came the worst watch Of the whole.
The lugger must inevitably pass within hail
of ME, but what if my strength was cbbing
fast? I had been without food since noon.
l mad walked many miles, swimming is an
exacting exerting exercise, and ] had till
to exert myself resolutely with the tide
running fast to maintain my present posi-
ton. NV limbs moved mechanically, my
head was dull and heavy, and there was
sort of tingling in my ears. I knew I was
going fast.
A little CLEAN Of parting waters, a black
mass looming blacker than the darkness,
and summoned all my energies for shout.
Little Lady, ahoy?"
A voice came from the darkness, "Little
Lady it is. Who are you?
LAY to and throw rope over your star
board quarter"
The lugger was not thirty yards distant.
I made my last effort and swan to hel. A
rope was thrown they hauled me on board;
and had just time to give my warning be-
fore fell fainting on the deck.
When came to, the last key oil our cargo
was being lowered into the sea. We were
some little distance up the coast, and floats
were attached to the keys so that we might
be able to find them again. So expeditions
ly was all this done that it was only some
two houre afterward when we beat cautious
W up the channel and cast anchor opposite
the mouth of tn, gully. We pulled ashore
in our boat. AS she grounded and we leap
ed out, dark figures started up around, lights
flashed upon US and we were surrounded
by soldiers.
'In the Kings name" said the young
officer, advancing with his sword drawn and
his cloak thrown back to show his scarlet
uniform.
It was picturesque group illuminated
by the Pickering light of the soldiers
orches. My tall old grandsire with his
weather beaten face and gray hair; the boy
i h, handsome officer, bright with scarlet
and steel, the stolid seamen in their jersey;
sou'wester's; the soldiers with their bronzed
faces and glittering accoutrements: and.
suppose, myself keeping under shelter Of
my stalwart grandsire, disguised as I was
in a snit Of oilskins and big sou'wester
that almost covered my rebellious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when the
young Lieutenant ordered Sergeant to board
the lugger, and only quiet twinkle of his
keen gray eye showed bis enjoyment of the
scene: lie stooa looking up at the SKY,
while the Lieutenant kept his eyes fixed on
the ground and toyed with his sword belt
The soldiers had to row and clumsily
enough they did it, provoking one of the
seamen to a loud guffaw, which was in
stantly suppressed.
The Sergeant was back again pretty soon,
his red face was purple with wrath. "We've
been made fools of, sir" he exclaimed,
saluting the Lieutenant, "Nothing on board
except some meats"
The Lieutenant's face fell for an instan
then he looked at the Sergeant's wrathfu|
countenance, and bit his lips to keep from
smiling.
The Sergeant was at white heat. "With
your permission, sir, I'll search these fel-
lows" says he.
IF you like" answered the Lieutenant
carelesslv.
The search Was soon accomplished, and
they found nothing that they wanted. l
kept behind my grandfather's back, hoping
to escape observation. But the Sergeant
caught me by the wrist. My grandfather
interposed.
"There is nothing contraband on that boy.
said he peremptorily.
'We'll soon see that" answered the SOL
diers; grasping my wrist until could have
screamed with pain.
Ny grandfather did not strike him, but
administered kind of push with his heavy
shoulder that sent the Sergeant, big as he
was, staggering yard or two. With the
loosing of his hold slipped and almost fell
off went my sou'wester and down, alas
STRAINED my long brown hair all over me.
The young officer instantly stepped between
the Sergeant and me.
II don't think We need search this young
ster," he said, in tone ofquiet authority.
''He is not likely to have anything contra
band about him. Where have you been to-
night" he added, turning to my grand
father, while got into the background,
conscious that the young gentleman's eyes
had found me out.
Lobster fishing" answered my grand