Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-02-14

f1ashl far out upon the dark sea, there II
wasl ] sprang to my feet, every nerve ting
ling. The moment for action had arrived.
Ipaused fo- moment to picture to my
self the bearings of the buoy. knew ex-
actly how 1t lay from the point, for had
swan round it often enough. But not in
the dark. Not with the water a vast black
plain mingling with the black sky; not with
the fear of sinking to those mysterious
depths, unseen, unheard, unhelped. But
never hesitated. Into the cold flood /
plunged, and struck out boldly in the dir
ection had determined upon. After 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 direction?
Might not swim and swim and never End
that for which was in search, lose myself
and become exhausted-to sink beneath
that silent sky alonep
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 g tide
was cop'ing in; there were breakers in the
shadows, and in the channel the stream
was fast and strong. 1t was Impossible to
see more than few yards ahead, level as it
was with the water. With the tide running
so hard a yainst me, it was difficult to see
how far out | had succeeded in getting.
Gree all but gave up. l got out of the
channel into the breakers, and the buffet
ing and beating Devil dered me, so that l
fell in a sort OF panic. | 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 like a thing of life. I swan to
it and kept close by. 1t was like friend
in all this desolation of heavimg 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? l had been without food since noon.
had walked many miles, swimming is an
exacting exerting exercise. and ] had still
to exert myself resolutely with the tide
running fast to maintain my present posi-
ton. MY limbs moved mechanically. my
head was dull and heavy, and there was a
sort of tingling in my ears. l knew l was
going fast.
A little gleam of parting waters, 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?
clay to and throw rope over your star
board quarter"
The lugger was not thirty yards distant.
| made my last effort and swan to he1. A
rope was thrown they hauled me on board;
and 1 had just time to give my warning be-
fore 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 to find them again. So expeditions
ly was all this done that it was only some
two houre afterward when we beat cautious
" up the channel and cast anchor opposite
the mouth of the gully. We pulled ashore
in our boat AS she grounded and we leap
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 a picturesque group illuminated
by the Pickering light of the soldiers
orches. My tall old gran dsire with his
weather beaten face and gray hair; the boy
and steel, the stolid seamen in their jersey;
sou westers; the soldiers with their bronzed
faces and glittering accoutrements: and.
suppose, myself keeping under shelter of
ny stalwart grandsire, disguised as I was
n snit of oilskins and big sou'wester
hat almost covered my rebellious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when the
'oung Lieutenant ordered Sergeant to board
he lugger, and only quiet twinkle of his
leen gray eye showed his enjoyment of the
Gene. lie STOOD looking up at the SKY,
While the Lieutenant kept his eyes fixed on
he ground and toyed with his sword belt
enough they did it, provoking one of the
eamen to loud guffaw, which was in
sanity suppressed.
The Sergeant was back again pretty soon,
lis red face was purple with wrath. "We've |
oeen made fools of, sir" he exclaimed, |
aluting the Lieutenant, Nothing on board |
except some meats"
The Lieutenants face fell for an instant |
hen he looked at the Sergeant's wrathfu |
and bit his lips to keep from
milling.
The Sergeant was at white heat. "With |
your permission, sir, I'll search these fel- |
ows," says he.
eff you like" answered the Lieutenant
The search Was soon accomplished, and |
hey found nothing that they wanted. I !
,ept behind my grandfather's back, hoping
o escape observation. But the Sergeant |
aught me by the wrist. My grandfather
nterposed.
''There is nothing contraband on that boy.
aid he peremptorily.
''We'n soon see that" answered the sol.
Iiers; grasping my wrist until could have
creamed with pain.
My grandfather did net strike him, but
administered a kind of push with his heavy
shoulder that sent the Sergeant, big as he
vas, staggering yard or two. With the
posing of his hold slipped and almost fell
IF went my sou'wester and down, alas!
treamed my long brown hair all over me.
he young officer instantly stepped between
he Sergeant and me.
II don't think we need search this young
ter" he said, In tone ofquiet authority.
He is not likely to have anything contra
and about him. Where have you been to-
ight2" he added, turning to my grand
'ther, while 1 got into the background,
onscious that the young gentleman's eyes
ad found me out.
Lobster fishing" answered my grand
ather unblushingty.
mot much sport, I'm afraid said the
lieutenant, looking abstractedly over my
shoulder.
mot great DEAL" answered my grand
ther. "But we've taken as much as YOU.
r. Perhaps you would like to come with