Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-31
power and use Of skill overcams my mis-,


ooked around upon that inurkv wl.t' {
water. Could I be sure / >as %! Z H.
he right direotion2 Might nor swim
md swim and never fluid that for which
was in search, lose myself, and become
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. 1t was physical work, too, for
the lido was coming in there were break.
ers in the shadows, and IN the channel
the stream was fast and strong 1t was
to see more than few yards
ahead, level as WIS with the water.
With the tide running 30 hard against
me it was difficult to see how far out had
succeeded in getting. Once l al! but
gave up. l got out Of the channel into
the breakers and the buffeting and beat
ing bewildered me 30 that fell in sort
of panic. threw myself on my back,
and in the very act-thanks to my prac-
ticed eyesight, that could more or less see
in the dark-I caught sight OF the buoy.
There it was, bobbing up and down, look
ing to me like thing of life. l swan to
it and kept close by. 1t 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 ebbing fast? had been
without food since noon. had walked
many miles. Swimming is an exacting
exercise and l had still to exert myself
resolutely, with the tide running fast, to
maintain my present position. My limbs
moved mechanically, my head was dull
and heavy, and there was sort OF ting
ling in my ears. 1 knew 1 was going
fast
A little CLEAN of parting waters, II
black mass looming blacker than the
darkness, and l summoned all my ener-
gies for n shout. Little Lady, ahoy y
A voice came from the darkness Lit
tie Lady it is. Who are you?"
LAY to and throw rope over your
starboard quarter"
The lugger was mot thirty yards dis
tant. l made my last effort and swan to
her. rope was thrown. they hauled me
on board, and 1 had just time to give my
warning before 1 fell fainting on the
deck.
When came to, .the last key 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 expeditiously was all this done tina: 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 us, lights flash
ed 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 n picturesque group, illumina.
ted 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 solid seamen in
their jerseys and sou'westers /; the SOL
ders with their bronzed faces and glitter
ing accoutrements, and, suppose, my
self. keeping under shelter Of my stall
| wart grandsire, disguised Ms l was in
suit of oilskin and big sou'wester that
almost covered my rebellious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when the
young lieutenant ordered the sergeant to
board the lugger, and only. quiet twin
kle of his keen, gray eye showed his en-
| joyment 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. The soldiers had to
row, and clumsily enough they did it,
provoking one of the seamen to loud
outlaw, which was instantly suppressed.
The Sergeant was back again pretty
soon, his red face 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 for an in
slant then lie looked at the Sergeant's
wrathful countenance, aud bit his lip to
keep from smiling.
The Sergeant was at whitehead. with
your permission, sir, I'll search these fell
lows" said he.
"If you like" answered the Lieuten-
ant, carelessly.
The search was soon accomplished, and
they found nothing that they wanted. l
kept behind my grandfather back, hop
ing to escape observation. But the Ser
geant caught me by the wrist. My grand
father interposed.
"There is nothing contraband on that
boy" said he percmptorily.
"We'll soon see that" answered the
soldier, grasping my wrist until l could
have screamed with pain.
My 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. alns streamed my long, brown
hair all over me. The young officer step
ped between the sergeant and me.
II don't think we need search this
youngster," he said in a tone of quiet
authority. "He is not likely to have any
thing contraband about him. Where
have You been tonight? ?" he added, turn
ing to my grandfather, while | got into
the background, conscious that the young
gentleman's eyes had found me out.
Lobster fishing" answered my grand
father, unblushingly.
"Not much sport, I'm afraid, said the
Lieutenant, looking abstractedly over my
grandfather's shoulder.
"Not great deal, answered my grand
father "but we've taken as much as you,
sir. Perhaps you would like to come with
lis sometime and we might do better"
"Perhaps will" answered the officer,
still glahcing over the others shoulder.
Meanwhile, am sorry to have caused
you ryours any annoyance Good night
to you. Fall in, men,"
And away they went But my grand
fnther gave up the trade soon after that
and sold the lugger.
Grandmamma paused and looked at
grandpapa with smile. /
"And did you never see the lieutenant
again after that?" inquired bright girl |
of IA, with long, brown hair, probably |
like what grandmamma's once was.
my dear" said grandpnpa, ~ was the
lieutenant"