Connecticut western news., 1884-05-07
VOL. XIII.

"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 1t. The gun was placed in position, and a shot carrying with it light, strong line sent over the wreck.
 "They've got it l" said Sam Walker. looking toward the vessel, around which boiled the white surf. "They have made 1t fast p
 ''Take two half hitches with the shot line round that whip" shouted the keeper, soon signaling to the wreck to haul on board.
 The "whip" was larger line doubled through single pully-block, and it was patiently hauled on board, followed by a 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 p
 Every moment the storm seemed to be gathering more force, as if to resist the brave men ill 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 whip
 "They've loaded her up," was the news that Sam's keen eyes enabled him to communicate. ''Four men have got into her."
 "Haul ashore p shouted the keeper; and safely across that turbulent sweep of surf came the life-car. The hatch was removed, and four men sprang upon the beach.
 "Haul out P was the keepers ready command, and back to the wreck went the car.
 ''It's a steamer, the men say," was Arnold Rankin's announcement to his mates. "She's in bad fix and will break up afore night, they think.
 Again and again went the life-car on its journey of mercy to the wreck. At last arrived those who said:
 ggNobodu oloa o,1 boorJ
 'Look here p exclaimed one of the steamers crew, coming from the station, where the rescued men had found shelter; ''there was one sick man. Has he come? He is not at the station"
 The keeper looked around upon his little circle of helpers.
 Boys" he said, "there's sick man aboard. Are you sure, though, he did nor come ?" he asked, suddenly turning to his informant.
 ''Sure as am here. Payne Chesley is not at the station, and he is not on the beach,"
 "Payne Chesleyr'
 Will Plympton heard the name, and instantly looked at Sam's face. He saw Sam's startled, intent gaze, and then Sam said to the keeper:
 Somebody must go and get him. I'll volunteer"
 "Pll gol I'll go !" said several.
 "Your ropes out there are weak" said one of the steamers crew; "there has been so much strain on lem. One will be enough to go in that car; send your strongest man. No easy thing bringing sick man to it. Whew If he ain't up! And he signals, too I'd go if I wasn't bruised so.''
 Upon that wreck the sharper eyes of the company could make out the form of man waving something-waving a plea for life on the edge of that horrible ghastly ocean-pit of water.
 'I'm the strongest, said Sam Walker, proudly, and in proof he raised his heavy, muscular arm.
 Everybody knew it was as Sam as- serted. Into the car he went and the hatch was closed after him. Keenly every eye watched the passage of the car to the steamer.
 'I hope the ropes will hold," nut tered the keeper, looking off in the face of the driving storm.
 "Hurrah! He's there p shouted the men.
 There was a season of anxious wait- ing.
 Haul ashore p shouted the keeper. "Ker-r-ful, boys p
 The car was near the beach, when suddenly the ropes gave way and over in the surf helplessly rolled the car.
 "Form line, boys. Lock close and wade out as far as you can," shouted the keeper.
 And, so, reaching out into that hungry, grasping sea, they snatched from it the food that the "sharks' teeth' in the surf had almost won.
 "Hurrah for Sam Walker p was the bidding of Keeper Barney to his men.
 But Sam Walker did not need the pleasure afforded by that ovation. He made this confession to Will Plympton
 1T thought it would be sweet to put Payne Chesley under the water, but l tell you, Will, it was a good deal sweete1 to pull him out"