Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-03-13

amount of persuasion on either side |
could effect change.
There was another cheer rising
above the storm, and again the gal
liant crew were launched into the
surf, that seemed to curl around the
boat as though to fill 1t in an instant.
1t rose and fell, dark mass amid tie
white foam. for an instant, and
thea seemed to plunge into bank
of foggy blackness, FOR night had
fallen.
/ could not drag myself away from
the stirring sceHe around me, for /
seemed held to the spot by strange
fascination. All at oncea lurid light
shot up, for quantity of straw had
been set ON fire, and the flames roared
and cracked as dry seaweed and
pieces of wood were heaped up to in
crease the glare, which appeared to
gild the crests of the waves, and
threw into bold relief the figures on
the Sandstone gazing out to sea,
some watching eagerly the fringe OF
breakers, ready to rush down ard
secure anything that might be washed
ashore from the wreck.
More straw was heaped upon the
fire. and the flames and sparks rushed
inland as they rose with the mighty
current of air and darted across the
sand bank. Out sea ward all seemed
blank darkness, and the eyes strained
after the llfe-boat were for while
strained in vain.
All at once there was.a cry of Here
she comes" but it was prolonged into
wild wall Of despair, for by light
/ from the fire the boat could be seen
broadsde on and close ashore, and
then, after tossing about for mo-
ment, she was dashed, bottom upward,
upon the sands.
There was a rush to aid the men
struggling in the surf Some were
4 dragged ashore; some scrambled I'M
aided from the water, while more
than one was sucked back by the I'M
dertow but by the life belts they
were kept adoat; aud at last, more or
less hurt, the whole crew was ashore
three being carried up to the village
insensibje.
l now learned that about half way
b W lilb NNo1Fl THO NlItiF illAli . OCii ildlo
snapped in two, and the boat fell into
the trough of the sea, when, in the
Efforts TO right her, a couple more
blades were broken; a wave swept
over them and washed two men from
their seats; but they regained their
places, and then, with the dread of
death upon them. the boat became
unmanageable IN their hands; for in
spite of the efforts of the coxswain,
the nen appeared panic-stricken, and
rowed at random.
The light that glared upon the shore
now showed that it was completely
strewn with wreck and l looked with
horror upon the various signs which
so plainly disclosed the fate of the
good ship. Spar, plank, beam and
cask, entangled with rope were being
churneo over and over in the sand /;
and twice / saw something dragged
ashore and carried Gway, which sent a
shudder through my frame.
At last, heart sick and weary, |
turned away, and inquired where
the crew of the boat was, and who
! had suffered; when TO my sorrow, |
learned that the only one seriously
injured was old Marks, who had so
CALAMITY set the example that even
/ ing-an example which had resulted
in the saving of fifteen poor creatures
from a watery grave.
On entering the village / soon
found where the old man had been
conveyed, and few minutes after
was at the bedside of the sufferer. I
found him sensible, but with a change
on his eountenance that no amount of
pain or suffering alone could have
placed there. He was quite calm,
and smiled as | entered
Has she gone to pieces2' he whis
pered stopping to wipe the blood
away that oozed from his lips.
Il fear so, l replied; 1.-THE shore is
strewed with wreck"
II knowed she would" he gasped.
Poor things, poor things How
many did we bring ashore"
| told him fifteen.
"Ah" lac groaned, mot enough not
enoughw
But 1t was a most gallant act, !"
| said, "and more would have been
saved but for the accident Where
are you hurt2 1t is not serious, /
hopper"
"Seriousw he whispered; and then
with sad smile, mo, itai tserious;
I'm the only one hurt, and my times
up long ago-foNr years and more.
So it amt serious, hope"
Where are you hurt"
RIBS all crushed, he whispered.
IL was under the gunwale of the boat,
and it's all over, | could see it in the
doctors looks.
A gush of blood stopped his utter
ance, and l did not dare to whisper
the comfort | could not feel
Its all right, sir" ne whispered,
after lying with his eyes closed for
about half an hour-''it's all right,
and an old tar couldn't die better
than doin' his duty. l never thought
so but | always felt as l should like
to die in harness, as they say, and so
| shall; but l wish there had been
more"
More what" J said.