The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-22

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Young athletes bent to their oars but
the water was too strong for them. The
surf tossed the boat back upon the
beach, cap>i1ing it and seriously injur-
| ing one of the crew.
1--WE want avollmtecr TO take Stokes's
place" cried Wentworth, whereupon
three stalwart Young fellows offered
themselves. III take you, Mason"
said Wentworth, you're the best oar.
Take Your place"
The boat was rigLted and third at
tempt to launch her was made. For
moment it seemed that this time sue
cess had been attained. The boat rose
upon the wave, and two vigorous strokes
of the oars carried her beyond the curl
ing crest. Then an oar broke and
rover fell backward. There was 4 mo-
ment's pause in the stroke and the life
boat was dashed upon the beach by
the angry sea. This time, alas the
good life boats ribs were crushed to a
shapeless mass, and several of the crew
were stunned by the fall
y murmW of terrified despair ran
through the crowd, which now included
every man and woman of the college
town. 1t was evident to all that 10th
ing more could be done. Nothing
frazier than 4 life boat could live for 4
moment in such sea, and there was
now no e-boat to be had. The pee
pie were dumb with horror as they re-
allied that there was nothing to do but
stand there in the pitiless storm and
wait for the bodies of the ships COM
panv to come ashore. They were al
ready beginning to come, indeed. Two
men and one women-all dead, and
all more or less bruised and broken
and been drawn out upon the sand.
These were the first swept overheard,
but others would follow, and but one
fate awaited all that company of peo-
pie who could be seen clinging to the
ship. unable to help themselves, and
without hope of help from Others
Let us pray"
1t was the college prcsident-a VEN
cradle man. loved and revered through
out the town, who spoke. The people
knelt at once, and the old man PRAYED
fcrventlv, with his white head barred to
the storm. As he ceased, Wentworth
approached and said tc him:
Send the woman up the beach, sir,
if you please"
"Whv, Wentworth ?"
because | must strip: the least rag
of clothing may be fatally in my way"
why what are you going to do, my
boy?" asked the president, in astonish-
ment.
I'm going to try and carry line to
the steamer" said the youth calmly.
1T is impossible it is madness to
try?" exclaimed the president.
so it is" said an old fisherman who
stood by. That sea will beat YOU to a
| jelly in two minutes
Il suppose it is impossible" replied
the boy, but I'm going to try, sill"
The president looked into the
youths face and catching something of
the enthusiasm of his heroic purpose,
laid his hand upon Wentworth's head,
saying:
"When God gives it to YOU to at
tempt such a service to your fellow
men it is not for me to interfere. May
he strengthen and keep YOU
Wentworth bowed his head to re-
ceive this benediction and then stripped
himself at once, while the people looked
on in awcstruck admiration of such
heroism and shuddered at the thought
of its seemingly certain end. The
symmetry Of the youths person, his
superb beauty. of body. seemed to
make matters worse : for was it not a
special pity that youth SO perfect OF
limb and so full of life should be given
IS Il sacrifice to the fury of the storm
Nov, then, Thorpe" said Went
worth, after trying slender cord about
his body, Il want you to pay this out
carefully. Remember that single
ounce of unnecessary pulling may cost
all these people their lives"
And Your life. too" said Thorpe.
t Yes, suppose so. but | wasn'I
thinking Of that"
After giving his lellow-student care
full directions as to the management o.
the line Wentworth stood for a moment
eyeing the water then following a re,
treating wave, he plunged head first
into the wall of water, his purpose
being to dive under the wave and come
) to the surface beyond the break of the
surf
y moments suspense followed. then
the people saw the lads body lifted up
and borne in on the crest of the wave,
He had failed, but at least he was I'M
hurt. Taking time to recover, he
plunged in again, and disappeared in
the bank of incoming water. The
slow seconds passed with no sign. Men
felt their hearts beat violently as they
waited. The wave came in and broke
upon the beach, but still the diver did
not appear.
That ended him, poor fellow ~ said
f the fisherman.
NO, there he is :" cried Thorpe. as
Wentworths head came to the surface.
Unfortunately the dive, long as it was,