The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-07

start. There | sat down to wait.
1 did not know the time, and could only
guess it by calculating from the sunset
How long should l have to wait? How
long did have to wait Heaven knows
but it seemed an age. | got sleepy from
my days exertion. The nig hit air wal
cold, too, and my clothing, however wei
adapted for exercise, was somewhat scanty
for sitting in Besides, it was damp. The
wretchedness of that long watch comes
over me now. Oh would the slow min
utes never pass?
Thicker and thicker grew the gathering
darkness. The waters and the heavens
were blended in obscurity, and there, al
the end Of the rocks, 1 sat patiently, pool
little figure shivering in the gloom, listen
ing to the lap of the waves as they beat
upon the rocks, and peering out to see with
my heart in my eyes. l waited so long
that | believe | must have fallen asleep
and missed the signal, and at that thought
l was burying my face in my hands to
give way to despair, when something stopped
me-a flash far out upon the dark sea
there it was | sprang to my feet, every
nerve tingling. The moment for action
had arrived
| paused for moment to picture to my.
self the bearings of the buoy. [ knew ex-
actly how it lay from the point, for [ had
swan round it often enough. But not in
the dark. Not with the water vast black
plain mingling with the black sky; not
with the fear of sinking to those mysteri-
Gus depths, unseen, unheard, unhelped
But | never hesitated Into the cold food
| plunged and struck out boldly in the di-
rection [ had determined upon. After a
few vigorous strokes the sense of active
exercise, exultation in physical power and
use of skill overcame my misgivings. But
they came on again when looked around
upon that murky waste of water. Could
| be sure was going in the right direc-
ton? Might | not swim and swim and
never find that for which was in search,
lose myself and become exhausted-to sink
beneath the 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. 1t was hard physical work, too, for
the tide was coming in; there were break
ers in the shadows, and in the channel the
stream was fast and strong. Itwas impos-
sible to see more than a few yards ahead,
level as was with the water. With the
tide running so hard against me it was diff
ficult to see how far out had succeeded
in getting. Once all but gave up. |
cot out of the channel into the breakers,
and the buffeting and beating bewildered
me so that [ fell in a sort of panic. l
threw myself on my back, and in the very
act-thanks to my practiced eyesight, that
could more or less see in the dark
caught sight of the buoy There it was
bobbing up and down, looking to me like a
thing of life swan to it and kept close
by. 1t was like friend in all this DESC
lation 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 ebbing fast?
had been without food since noon. [ had
walked many miles. Swimming is an ex-
acting, exerting exercise, and | had still to
exert myself resolutely, with the tide run
ming fast, to maintain my present position.
NV limbs moved mechanically, my head
was dull and heavy, and there was a sort
of tingling in my ears. L knew L was go
ing fast.
A little CLEAN of parting waters, black
mass looming blacker than the darkness,
and | summoned all my energies for a
shout. Little Lady, ahoy!"
A voice came from the darkness "Lit-
tie Lady it is. Who are you?"
clay to and throw rope over your
starboard quarter"
The lugger was not thirty yards distant
| made my last effort and swan to her
A rope was thrown; they hauled me on
board, and l had just time to give my warn,
ing before [ fell fainting on the deck.
When [ came to, the last keg Of our
cargo was being lowered into the sea. We
were some little distance up the coast, and
floats were attached to the kegs so that we
might be able to find then again. So ex'
peditiously was all this done that it was
only some two hours afterward when we
beat cautiously up the channel and cast
anchor opposite the mouth of the gully
We pulled ashore in our boat. AS she
grounded and we leaped 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.
1t was picturesque group, illuminated
by the Pickering light of the soldiers
torches. My tall old grandsire with his
weather-beaten face and gray hair; the boy
ish, handsome officer, bright with scarlet
and steel; the stolid seamen in their Jerseys
and sou westers; the soldiers, with theil
bronzed faces and glittering accoutrements
and, I suppose, myself, keeping under shell
ter of my stalwart grandsire, disguised, al
/ was, in suit of oilskins and big sou
wester that almost covered my rebelliou'
hair
NV grandfather said nothing when thu
Young Lieutenant ordered the Sergeant t.
board the lugger, and only quiet twinkle
of his keen gray eye showed his enjoymen
of the scene. He stood looking up at tn
sky, while the Lieutenant kept his eye
fixed on the ground and toyed with hi
sword-belt. The soldiers had to row, ant
clumsily enough they did it, provoking on
of the seamen to loud guffaw, which wa
instantly suppressed.
The Sergeant was back again prett.,
soon; his red face was purple with wrath
"We've been made fools of, sir, he ex
claimed, saluting the Lieutenant. "Noth
ing on board except some meats"
The Lieutenants face fell an instant
then he looked at the Sergeants wrathfu
countenance, and bit his lip to keep iron
smiling.
The Sergeant was at white heat. "Witl
your permission, sir, I'll search these fel
lows" says he.
'If you like" answered the Lieutenan
'carelessly.
The search was soon accomplished, an
i II that fhou xuoufod