Connecticut western news., 1884-12-31
she'll weather it. Get up and prepare for accidents"

for accidents.
 The vessel, befogged for days, and un- able to get reckoning to ascertain her position, had been drifted out of her course and nearer to the coast than the lighthouse when the first squall struck her. The only chance of safety lay in weathering the rocky ledge at the end of which the lighthouse stood. And this they were attempting to do when Lee first noticed them. Being doubtful if the light, only made to shine seaward. would be seen by them, he removed one side of the reflector to give them the benefit of its aid, and warn them off the reef. This timely aid was soon appar- ent by their altering their course. They had not previously noticed the light house; and even if they had, before its light told them what it was, it was more likely to prove snare and lead them into greater danger by making them strike the middle or most dangerous part of the reef than to help them to escape into safer waters.
 Lizzie and her father stood watching the vessel with intense anxiety from the lofty lighthouse balcony, as they saw her alter her course and stand more out at sea in the attempt to weather the lighthouse rock. It was case of sal vation or destruction--life or death. The ship was ably handled, and well found. Not rope or spar gave way, asshe kept bravely on in her course, almost in the teeth of the wind.
 But who can struggle against the in- evitable? At the most critical moment, when brief Hull in the breeze or even a temporary .steadiness would have al- lowed her to weather the rock and pass the danger, fierce gust laid her almost on her beam ends, so that she lost head way and would not answer her helm. Instead of gliding past the base of the lighthouse, she lay still for moment, then drifted toward it, and, carried by huge wave, dashed right on the sharp est pinnacle, helpless, manageable wreck, doomed to destruction.
 As the heavy waves struck her now fixed hull, they made short work of her and her crew. In ten minutes she was in pieces. An iron-clad could not have withstood the irresistible force and weight of those waves; and very soon not vestige of her was to be en.
 Lee and his daughter heard the de- spairing cries of the drowning men, but were powerless to render aid. Their little boat could not have lived in such sea, even if they could have success fully launched her. Even if Lee had descended the narrow iron ladder that led to the narrow ledge at the foot of the light he could not have remained 8 moment; but would have been washed away like the wrecked mariners.
 He descended, however, as far as the lower landing and stood watching and peering through the darkness into the surging pillows below Ere long he thought he heard cry from the back of the rock and moved round to recon noitre. Sure enough, there was man clinging to the life rope which girt the the base of the lighthouse. Partly by being washed and partly by swimming, he had been carried into the eddy, and fortunately caught hold of the life line. Lee had no means of descending to help him, except by the stout iron lightning rod; down which he slid to aid the nearly exhausted seaman by lifting him up to the slippery and unsafe foot ] ing on which he himself stood. Together they pulled to land hatchway to which was fastened the inanimate form of man whom the mariner already saved had promised not to desert
 l The only way to restore him to life was to get him as speedily as possible into warmer atmosphere. Lees com panion volunteered to climb for a line. He was younger and more active; and was soon up and in the little parlor where Lizzie stood preparing coil of rope, having already, with woman's forethought, discovered what was needed.
 ''Lizzie-lass; don't you know me ? Is Archie Lowell forgotten ?" said the stranger, as he advanced.
 ''Archie-oh, Archie--is 1t you? Oh, Heaven and I didn't know of your danger P
 Then, woman-like, when he had folded her in his arms, she began to cry for joy, knowing that he was safe and also true to his troth.
 ''Never mind, love; it's all over now; but musn't delay when there's gen. tleman in sore need of help. Give me that rope, lass, and come with me-"
 Fastening one end to the iron baIco. ny, he let the other down to where Lee was anxiously clinging in perilous po- sition, and immediately descended to help him. After unfastening the insen. sible man from the hatchway, they tied him under the armpits, when Lowell re- ascended to help Lizzie hoist him up. Lee remained below to pilot him clear of the rocks and above the wash of the waves, and then mounted to aid them. On placing him before fire in the par Nor it seemed almost more than doubtful if he could even be resusticated, SC limp, cold, blue and pulseless was he.
 ''I declare uncle doesn't know me any more than Lizzie did," said Lowell, when they laid the insensible man down.
 'Lord bless mel is it Archie Lovel
 that we've saved And so the wrecked brig was the Gannet. How you've al
 tered, boy.
 As they chatted, they were busy chafng the apparently lifeless body
 and fortunately didn't desist; but perse
 vered bravely till warmth began to re turn-then the pulse-at last fain breathing-then bis eyes opened as if 1T
 a dream. and he asked where he was
 He was gavad huk not wat o,,1 .e D..