Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-04

tempt to launch her was made. For q
moment it seemed that this time success
had been attained. The boat rose upon
the wave, and two vigorous strokes car
ried it beyond the curling crest. Their
an oar broke; a rover fell backward
There was moments pause in the
stroke, and the life-boat was dashed up
on the beach by an angry sea. This
time, alas the good life-toat's ribs were
crushed to shapeless mass, and sew
eral of the crew were stunned by the fall.
A murmur of terrified despair ran
through the crowd, which now included
every man and woman Of the college town.
1t was evident to all that nothing more
could be done. Nothing Trailer than a
| life boat could live for an instant in such
a sea, and there was no life-boat to be
had. The people were dumb with hor-
ror as they realized that there was MOTH
ing to do but stand there and wait for
the bodies of the ships company 10 come
ashore.
They were already beginning to come,
indeed. Two men and one woman-all
dead, and all more or less bruised and
broken-had been drawn out upon the
sand. These were the first swept over
boad. but others would soon follow, and
but one fate awaited all that company OF
people who were seen cinging to the ship,
unable to help themselves and without
hope Of help from others.
Let us pray
II WAS the College President vener-
able man, loved and revered throughout
the town-who spoke. The people knelt
at once, ana the ola man prayed terYent-
ly with his white head barred 10 the
storm. AS he ceased, Wentworth ap-
preached and said to him:
"Send the women up the beach, sir, if
you please"
why, Wentworth :"
because must strip; the last rag OF
clothing may be fatally in my way
"Why, what are you going to do, my
boy" asked the President in astonish-
ment
Il am going to carry line to the
steamer said the youth calmly.
"It is impossible it is madness to
try exclaimed the PRESIDENT.
40 it is" said an old fisherman, who
stood by, "thst sea will beat you to a
jelly in two minutes"
IL suppose it is impossible" replied
the boy "but am going to try, sir.
The President looked into the youth $
face, and catching something Of the en-
thusiasm Of his heroic purpose, laid his
hand upon Wentwor,h's head. saying:
"When God gives it to you to attempt
such service TO your fellow men, it is
not for me to interfere. May He strength
en- and keep you!
Wentworth bowed his head to receive
this benedic,ion, and then stripped him
self at once, while the people looked on
in awe-struck admiration at such hero
ism, and shuddered at the thought of it,
seemingly certain end The symmetry
Of the youths form, bis superb beauty Of
body, seemed to make the matter worse: !:
70. was it not special pity that youth
so perfect In body and so full OF life should
be given as sacrifice TO the fury Of the
storm.
"Now, then, Thorpe" said Wentworth,
after tying slender cord around his BODY f,
- want you to pay it out carefully. Re-
member that a single ounce of unnNcessa-
ry pulling may cost all these people their
lives"
"And your life, too said Thorpe.
"fes, suppose so but ] was not
thinking Of that"
After giving his fellow students careful
directions as to the management Of the
line, Wentworth stood for moment ey-
ing the water, his purpose being to dive
under the wave and come to the surface
beyond the break Of the surf.
A moments suspense followed; then
the people saw the lads body lifted up
and borne In On the crest Of the wave
He had failed, but at least was unhurt
Taking time to recover breath, he plunged
in again and disappeared in the bank of
incoming water. The slow seconds passed
with no sign. Men felt their hearts beat
ss they waited. The wave came in and
broke upon the beach, but still the diver
did not appear.
THAT ended him, poor fellow" !" said
the fisherman.
mo, there he is" cried Thorpe, as
Wentworth's head came to the surface.
Unfortunately the dive, long as it was,
was not long enough, and as the diver
came up he was caught on the next wave
and dashed on the beach.
For a time Wentworth seemed exhaust
ed but the breath came back again, and
looking toward lumber-yard, near at
hand, he bade the people bring lumber
and make spring-board.
"Put it on the edge of the bluff down
there where it overhangs the water-as
near the edge as possible"
The students obeyed, shuddering, for
they knew that to be dashed ashore
against the bluff would be certain death
to their comrade.
"He can't try that more than once"
said the old fisherman but somehow no.
body thought it worth while to beg
Wentworth not to try at all. There
was resoluteness in his look which
made them feel persuasion would be use
less.
When the spring-board was in place,
he examined it, and then, walking back
dozen yards, ran rapidly up the board,
gave a great leap forward, and went down