Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-05-18


waves as they beat upon the rocks, and
peering out to sea with my heart in my
eyes. I waited 80 long that believe 1
must have fallen asleep and missed the
sigral, and at that thought l was bury
ing my fase in nay hands to give way to
despair, when something stopped me-
a FASH far out upon the dark sea
there it wasl sprang TO my feet. every
nerve tingling. The moment for action
had arrived.
I paused for moment to picture to
myself the bearings of the buoy. /
knew exactly how it lay from the
point, for I had swan round it often
enough. But not in the dark. Not
with the water vast black pl ain, ming
ling with the black sky. Not with the
fear of sinking to those mysterious
depths, unseen, unheard, unhelped.
But never hesitated. Into the cold
food 1 plunged and struck out boldly
in the direction I lad determined
upon. After few vigorous strokes
the sense of active exercise, exultation
of physical power and use of skill
evercame my nisgivings. But they
came on again when looked around
upon that murky waste of water.
Could l be sure I was going in the
right direction? Might not swim and
swim and never find that for which l
was in search, lose myself and become
exhausted--to sink beneath that silent
sky alone?
But on 1 went, struggling hard to
keep ray wits about me in spite of the
horrors that would rush over my brain
again and again. 1t was a physical
work, too, for the tide was coming in:
there were breakers in the shadows,
and in the channel the stream was
fast and strong. 1t was impossible to
see more than q few yards ahead, level
as was with the water. With the
tide running so hard against me it was
difficult to see how far out 1 had sue
ceeded il getting. Once I all but gave
up. l got out of the channel into the
breakers, and the buffeting and beating
bewildered me so that fell in sort of
panic. I threw myself on my back,
and in the very act-thanks to my
practiced eyesight, that could more or
less see in the dark-I caught sight of
the buoy. There it was bobbing up
and down, looking to me like thing
of life. | swan to it and kept close
by. It was like friend in all this des-
olation 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 fastp l had been without
food since noon. 1 had walked many
miles. Swimming is an exacting, ex-
erting exercise, and l had still to exert
myself resolutely, with the tide run
ming fast, to maintain my present posi-
ton. My limbs moved mechanically,
my head was dull and heavy, and
there was sort Of tingling in my ears.
| knew l was going fast.
A little CLEAN of parting waters, a
black mass looming blacker than the
darkness, and / summoned all my
energies for q shout. Little Lady,
ahoyp
A voice came from the darkness:
Little Lady it is. Who are your"
Lay to and throw arope over your
starboard quarter"
TIE lugger was not thirty yards dis
tant. made my last effort and swan
TO her. A rope was thrown; they haul
ed me on board, and had just time to
give my warning before fell fainting
on the deck.
When l 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 10 find
them again. So expeditiously was all
this done that it was only some two
hours afterward when we beat cautious
ly up the channel, and cast anchor
opposit 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.
ain 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, illuminat-
ed by the Pickering light of the soldiers
torches. My tall old grandsire with his
weather-beaten face and gray hair; the
boyish, handsome officer, bright with
scarlet and steel; the stolid seamen in
their jerseys and sou'westers; the
soldiers, with their bronzed faces and
glittering accoutrements, aud, sup
pose, myself, keeping under shelter of
my stalwart grandsire, disguised, as l
was, in suit of oilskins and big SOU
wester that almost covered my REBEL
ious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when
the young lieutenant ordered the ser
geant to board the lugger, and only
quiet twinkle of his keen gray eye
showed his enjoyment of the scene.
He stood looking up at the sky, while
the lieutenant kept his eyes fixed on
the ground and toyed with his sword.
belt. Toe soldiors had to row, an
clumsily enough they did it, provoking
one of the seamen to loud guhaw,
which was instantly suppressed.
Toe sergeant was back again pretty
soon; his red face was purple with
wrath. "We've been made fools of,
sir" he exclaimed, saluting the lieuten-
ant. Nothing on board except some
meats"
The lleutenanps face fell for an in
stast; then he looked at the sergeant's
wrathful countenance, and bit his lip to
keep from smiling.
The sergeant was at white heat.
"With your permission, sir, I'll search
these fellows" said he.
eff you like" answered the lieuten-
ant, carelessly.
The search was soon accomplished,
and they found nothing that they want
cd. 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 contra5and Or that
boy" said he, peremptorily.
"We'll soon see that" answered the
soldier, graspiug my wrist until I could
have screamed with pain.
My grandfather did not strike him,
but administered kind of push with
his heavy shoulder, that sent the SER
geant, big as he was, staggering yard
or two. With the loosing of his hold
slipped and almost fell; eff went my
ou'wester, and down, alas! streamed
my long brown hair all over me. The
young officer stepped between the SER
gesnt and me.
II doH't think we need search this
youngster," he said in tone of quiet
"He is not likely to have
contrsband about him.
Where have you been tonight" he
added, turning to nv grandfather