The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-05-06

" ucu SHc was C1OSc W Cu0 IOChS VI
the island shore, Morton gave orders
for the masts to be cut down.
This was done. The three masts
toppled over with a crash, and were
cut clear.
AK in hand, his sleeves rolled up over
his brawny arms, his huge, muscular
chest heaving with his exertions the
young captain seemed to do the work
of three men.
His cool, determined manner, his
clear, CHEEKY voice inspired confidence.
The ship struck bottom in shallow
water before she reached tho rocks.
The shock was so great that most of
the men were thrown from their feet.
The swapping and splitting of tim
bers was heard as the wreck rolled and
thumped among the heavy seas, which
we're now makinga clean breach over
her, amidships.
''Down boats!' ordered Morton.
''Help the passengers in tirst!'
He sprang into the cabin.
The room occupied by Mrs. Barton
and her daughter was half-hooded with
| water.
Mabel. who sat with her arms about
her mother, up to her knees in water,
uttered cry as Morton burst into the
apartment.
Can do anything for you, Miss
Mabel?' fa(tared Mr.. Tomtit, peer
ing down from the cabin stairs
At that moment the crash of the bull
warks to starboard. as they were
broken in BY sea, was heard.
Tomtit, no, waiting for an answer
to his question. uttered cry of terror,
and, running on deck, threw himself
into boat, now alongside.
Come! coa:::' he cried to the sail
ors on deck. Jump in! jump in! and
and pull me ashore! The ship IS
breaking up! Quick: quick! for Gods
sake!'
At that moment Morton appeared
on deck with Mabel in his arms.
With much difficulty he got her into
the boat, which was now tossing Wild
ly.
Tomtit was too busy holding on with
both hands to the thwarts to afford any
assistance.
Ordering a couple of sailors into the
boat to watch over the young girl and
save her from being washe! from her
place, Morton saying he would now 90
and try to bring Mrs. Barton up, hur-
ried back to the cabin.
He had scarcely entered it when, as
the ship made violent plunge, a few
of the beams above the old lady S
berth, fell in, barring his further pro-
gress.
He ran back to procure an Ak.
At the same moment loud, crack
| ing sound warned him that the ship
would soon part amidship and 90 to
pieces.
The tossing boat was also in danger
of being stove in.
In fact, the quarter boat had al
ready been smashed by lowering, SO
that the long boat, now alongside,
was the only one remaining.
| Mortons decision was quickly tax
TO wait until Mrs. Barton could be
got out from the debris of timbcrs
about her berth, and brought up,
would be to insure the destruction OF
every person aboard; for by that time,
the ship would have gone to pieces.
The young captain therefore resolv.
ed not to wait-at least not to keep
the others waiting.
He ordered all the sailors into the
boat. When they were there, he said
Nov, lads, pull for shore. There
is sand beach yonder, where you
may be able to land in safety
"Come on, Captain!' cried the mate
mo, my duty is here. l will not
leave the craft willie there is human
being aboard.'
"My mother! Ny poor motherr
walled Mabel, wringing her hands
II will not forsake her.
And she tried to get to the deck.
The mate gently restrained her.
ut is for the best, Miss Barton,
cried Morton. II am going to stay il
order that I can try to save your moth
err Goodbye
mr.: Tomtit will stay and help you,
cried Mabel.
| "Really,' gasped Tomtit, IL don
think l would be of any use. Fo
Gods sake. let us start before we ar
all drowned!'
With blow of his ak Morton sew
cred the warp, and the boat in a mo
ment was whirled away from the ship
The captain rushed into the caOin.
He worked with the strength of
young lion, with the water up to hi
hips,
Timber after timber gave way be
meath his vigorous blows, until at las
he forced passage to the invalid
berth.
just then an ominous sound reache,
him.
1t was the grinding swapping nois
of the vessel as her timbers gave ava,
amidships.
Morton realized that he would no
have time to drag Mrs. Barton OF
deck.
He carried her into the cabin, how
ever, attached life-preserver to her
and then secured her aud himself to
large beam.
He had scarcely done so when, will
a laundering crash, the ship parted
breaking up.
Amid the debris of whirling timbcrs
ropes and spars Morton struggled will
his charge-strove to keep her head
above water.
AT last the waves washed both, hal
senseless, upon the beach, where the,
were picked up by those who had safe
ly reached the shore in the boat.
| Mrs. Barton and her daughter wer
very grateful to Morton for his nobl
conduct.
ITO think of his risking his life, ane
taking so much trouble for an old, use
less, paralytic woman like myself!'
said Mabers mother to her child, witt
tears in her eyes.
"How different his conduct from Tom
tit's!' satd Mabel. ''Tomtit though
only of himse]f--was,in fact, too fright
ened to think of any one else. He wante,
the men to pull ashore and leave yo,
and the rest of us in the lurch. Ate
that, mother, hope
sSPr1t v,or ob;1l ho - -