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

swim. 1t is quarter of mile to the
ship, aud with such sea as this on i
might be ten miles"
1t was impossible to see the swimmer
buried as ne was in the raging sea, anC
blinded as the people were by the mist
and spray. But the line was slowly
draw wing out, and that showed Wentworth
still had strength to swim.
Students climbed trees for better
view. The women came back, crowdine
the bluff in their eagerness to learn how
matters went with the swimmer. One
young woman ran out upon the spring
board. She stood there watching the
bold swimmer through large spy-glass
Her hair was blown loose, and tossed
about by the wind. A gust carried away
the shawl she had worn on her shoulders.
But she knew nothing of these things. oil
the pel,ing Of the storm about her. She
only knew that there was young hero
out there among the mad waves, daring
death in an effort to save the lives OF
others.
After while the paying out Of the
line stopped. The cord hung limp in
Thorpe's hands, and even began to drift
back upon the beach. Five minutes,
which seemed like FIVE hours, passed
away. Then the line stretched again,
and the paying out was resumed. Not
for long, however. The intervals Of rest
increased in frequency and length, while
the spurts OF swimming grew steadily
briefer.
He was still alive, however, and that
was something. After while the swim
mer seemed to recover strength, for the
line drew out slowly end s,eadiy Tor a
long time, and by the amount OF cord left
it was judged that ne must be within a
hundred yards of the ship. Then he
ceased to draw the line Minute after
minnie passed without sign. That
long swim, they felt sure, mad been last
desperate effort to REACH tie sop, ana
when that failed the swimmer had sunk
TO the bottom.
There was Il low murmur among the
people as this thought was forced upon
then.
There was ,wi,ch of the line in
Thorpes hand aud a moment later it be-
gan paying out.
I'VE give Thee thanks, said the Pres
ldent, barring his head and looking up
ward, and not another word WAS spoken
by the people on the shore. There was
no need of speech. The line still drew.
Wentworth was still swimming.
The young woman on the spring board
had not lowered her glass ior moment
She had stood there like statute, scarce.
ly moving a muscle. Now she changed
her attitude a little, and in voice quiv-
ering with excitement, she said, " They
see him and are getting a line ready
Then, after pause They are throw
ing the line He has caught-no he
has missed il He is drifting past the
ship aud out of reach He has caught
line thrown from the bow They are
hauling him up. He is on deck Hur-
ran hurrah! hurrah -
And the girl, wild with joy, Threw
down her spy glass and waved her arms
as she shouted.
4 larger cord was now attached and
drawn on board Then a cable was car
ried out, and a little after noon the first
load Of passengers-women and children
was brought ashore When all the
women and children were saved the men
followed, anu with the last earful came
Wentworth and the Captain. The youth
was greatly exhausted, and much bruised
from being hauled aboard the ship, but
no bones were broken, and days rest
in bed was all that he needed.