The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-09-04

doubtfully until / gave him little
smiling nod, then took off his hat
with an expression of such salts
faction that his companion locked
with some curiosity in my direc-
ton.
That night we were overtaken by
a terrible storm, which crippled
our vessel SO that it was impossi-
bic to control her; and after drift
ing for hours at the mercy of the
elements, she struck upon some
ledge which skirted an island.
When it became evident that the
ship was sinking, Il panic seized
many of the passengers, and the
officers had all they could do to
keep them from swamping the boats
as fast as they were lowered.
When / reached the deck with
one of my little pupils clinging
wildly about my neck, | saw my
commodore assisting frightened
women and children into the boats.
He looked the personilication of
GOODNESS, and my own courage rose
at the sight of him, although many
around me were shrieking wildly,
and many others sprang into the
sea only to be swallowed up by the
hungry waves.
TRY to be brave, my darling" |
said to little Nellie, as | gave her
into her fathers arms.
His wife was beside him with
their other little girl, who cried
out:
"Save Miss Annie, papa"
Mr.. Burton looked back at me.
81 will come back for you if pos
sible, Miss Lynde," he said.
| made no answer, for the sway
ing crowd swept them away from
me, and the tumult was too great
for my voice to be heard.
For a little while | stood alone,
and then John Dexter stood beside
me, buckling n life-buoy round NE
with deft fingers.
"There's no room in the boats
for us, my girl" he said quietly
"but you are sailors daughter,
and need not fear a saltwater bath.
"What must | do?" l faltered
You have only to keep quiet
and trust me. There will be nc
danger if you do not struggle. ]
am going to swim TO the shore with
you. When we strike the water
YOU must hold fast TO my shoulder
the buoy will be a help to both OF
us. Remember not to cling about
my neck. ] will surely save you
am a good swimmer, and we arc
not far from shore"
He threw off his coat and boots
as lie spoke, and taking my hand
led me to the side Of the vessel.
/ endeavored to obey him. His
quiet matter-of-fact voice gave me
strength and courage which | knew
were not natural.
Now, little woman !" he called
as a great Kissing wave swept back
from the doomed vessel, and over
we went.
1t seemed to me that we were II
the water for hours, but it was only
short time, though | was thor
oughly exhausted and unable tc
stand when we reached the shore
/ For twenty-four hours the Co.
lumbia's survivors were huddleo
upon the rocky atom of land await
I ing rescue.
! 1t was worth something to sec
John Dexter, minus coat, hat and
boots. encouraging weary, falntlne
women, dandling crying babies
quieting frightened children.
"Who is that MANI" asked one
forlorn mother. He is an angel.
This appellation for my commo
dore amused me exceedingly; but
kept growing prouder and proudel
of him all the time.
We were rescued at last by 6
homeward-bound vessel.
One evening when we were near
ing Portsmouth, | took occasion tc
thank him for his bravery, and tc
apologize for my foolish estimate
of him long ago.
He listened to me uneasily for
while. but at last he broke out alb
ruptly:
"Stop all that, little woman; i
sounds as if you were saying good
bye. | wish u--here he sighed pro
foundly, and tugged at his beart
with one brawny hand" | wish VIZ
might always sail together. If yor
remember, / said something like
that to you once before, but yor
didn't seem to take to the notion
Il did not know you then,"
explained, laughing a little, anc
turning aside my flushing face.
With his two great hands upor
nv shoulders, he turned me to th'
rightabout, looking at me with bi:
honest eyes. :.
"Sec here, my girl" he sale
gravely, 81 don't know anythin!
about the fine ways of the world
hut I havn loved YOU tender am