Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-07-19

NJ ouCt, DuIu4uB Will red namo and
warning off any vessel that might be
discovered sailing too near the shore. or
announcing to any wrecked vessel that
help was near. But though keen eyes
watched and quick ears listened. there
was no sign of vessels in danger OF dis
tress. There was only that near and in
ccssant thunder in the darkness. that
awful roar OF an invisible anger which
manifested itself in an occasional throw
OF cold surf about the feet of the patrol
men venturing too near the edge Of the
sea.
The morning lighted up confused
mass of white, struggling pillows under
black, heavy masses of storm cloud that
swept the sea with pitiless discharges of
rain. The men at the station were at
breakfast. when Arnold Rankin rushed
in shouting:
'There's q wreck off here T.
"Boom-m-m |" came the report of
gun from the sea.
''That's Arnold's voucher" cried
Keeper Barney, springing from his seat
and upsetting the chair in his eagerness.
"Our surfboat cannot live in that sea.
Open the boat room doors. Man the
beach wagon, boys"
Out upon the sands the cart was quick
ly rushed, and wreck gun and other
apparatus taken from it. The gun was
placed in position, and shot carrying
with it light, strong line sent over the
| wreck.
They've got it |" said Sam Walker,
! looking toward the vessel. around which
+; boiled the white surf. ''They have made
it fastl''
''Take two half hitches with the shot
line round that whip" shouted the
keeper, soon signaling to the wreck tc
haul on board.
The "whip" was larger line doubled
through single pulley block, and it was
patiently hauled on board, followed by q
hawser. These two lines were made fast,
the hawser being secured above the
"whip" or endless line.
''Send the life-car, boys" said Keeper
Barney. "Quick r
Every moment the storm seemed to
be gathering more force, as If to
resist the brave men in their
work of rescue. More heavily
rolled the waves upon the shore
the wind charged up and down the beach.
and roughly the rain splashed the faces
of the surfmen. And yet how the crew
worked, springing from duty to duty and
cheering heartily when they saw the life.
car riding along the hawser and hauled
! out by means Of the whipl
''They've loaded her up" was the news
that Sans keen eyes enabled him to
communicate. "Four men have got int
her"
Haul ashore shouted the Keeper
and safely across that turbulent sweep
of surf came the life-car. The hatcl
was removed, and four men sprang upo,
the beach.
"Haul out" was the keepers read,
command, and back to the wreck wen
the car.
'Its steamer, the men say wa
/ Arnold Rankin's announcement to hi
l mates. "Shes in bad fix and viii
break up afore night, they think.
, Again and again went the life-car OF
, its journey of mercy to the wreck. A
l last arrived those who said:
Nobody else on board"
~
steamers crew, coming from the station
where the rescued men had foun,
t shelter; "there was one sick man. Ha
9 he come? he is not at the station"
The keeper looked around upon hi
. little circle Of helpers.
1 Boys" he said, "there's a sick MAJ
aboard. Are you sure, though, he di
i nor come ?" he asked, suddenly turnin,
J, to his informant
q "Sure as am here. Payne Chesle
is not at the station, and he is not %
e the beach,"
$ ''Payne Chesley!'
I Will Plympton heard the name, an
Q instantly looked at Sans face. He sa,
Sam 8 startled, Intent gaze, and the
t Sam said to the keeper:
e Somebody must 60 and get him
l. I'll volunteer"
"Tl go! I'll got" said several.
Your ropes out there are weak, " sal
- one Of the steamers crew; "there ha
&c been 50 much strain on 'em. One wi
II be enough to 60 in that car; send you
strongest man. No easy thing bringin
= q sick man to it Whew II he ain
10 up! And be signals, too! I'd 90 if
wasn't bruised so'
u Upon that wreck the sharper eyes
the company could make out the for,
of . man waving something-waving
el plea for life on the edge OF that horribl
ghastly ocean-pit Of water.
10 I'm the strongest" said Sam Wake