The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-13

heri Chey uld not know Just $pat TO say
whether to congratulate her on her hus
bands daring or to console with her upon
his danger. Some of the ladies were in
Mysteries; all were watching with the
greatest concern the course Of the boat, and
trying to make out the child and the SWIM
mer among the waves far astern; for the
steamer had run more than quarter of a
mile before the boat was really to leave
her.
The men in the boat rowel fercely. The
passengers could sea the coxswain ami the
bontnlaa standing up, trying to distinguish
something where the waves lifted; but even
with glasses they could sse nothing of tie
swimmer
A famous general, who had marched with
q great army TO victory, was on board. Ee
did not know the Pierrepoints; but he came
up now t. Mrs. Pierrepoint and, holding his
hat in his hand, said: "Madame your
brave husband has done a noble act 1t i
grand to see such pluck and dash. l trust
you will have him back soon. Will you
come up on the bridge beside the captain,
where you can have a much better outlook
over the sea, and perhaps you will make Use
of my binocular!"
"Oh, thank YOU she said, a shall be glad
to have yonr glass and to go on the bridge =
If the captain allows me, she added smil.
ing But 1 don't think my husband is in
danger; he has often been a long time in the
water, and can swim well in his clothes.
There is still plenty OF light for the boat to
find him. | only hops he may catch thet
dear little chill in time. The boat should
reach them soon"
The general led Mrs. Pierrepoint I'D to
the bridge and said a worl to Ii Q captain
The captain at once came over, saying:
"The boat is close to them now; saw them
less than minute ago through my glass on
top wave
"Do you see them3 Are they togethsrr
asked Mrs, Pierrepomt.
Yes, q repliel the captain; Il believe
they are" But his voice was now brokel
and he took hold of Mrs. Pierrepoint's
hand. al watched my child from here with
the glass till at last he f1ated so low that |
could scarcely see him; AMI just as be
seemed sinking your husband dashed across
the spot where he was, and | saw by wave
of his hand toward the ship that he had
caught him. He is now waiting for the boat
What a splendid swimmer he is!n
"Oh, Yes; he is good swimmer am so
glad he was near" said Mrs.. Perrepoint,
81 believe, captain, lie Will bring back your
little boy Safe
When Pierrepoint sprang over he had
been so quick that he was not very far from
the child; but he knew that all dependa |
on reaching him soon, and hs could only see
him now AMI then when tho waves LITE |
them both at the same time; but those
glimpse5 gave him the direction and, with
ont mining in the least the fact that the
steamer was recediug from him at the rate
OF fifteen miles an hour, and that he was
left alone IN the middle of the great ATTAIN
tic with ~ one nebr him but the little sink
ins child, he swan Oh n quickly as possible
saw the child GU side Of a wave made "a
dash at him, AMI caught him by the arm a,
he was sinking ia Ks fears had got
the b tier of him; he hal given
up hops; but now he reused up ana with
a cry caught John rierreponte's bearl
Pierrepoiut raised tie chili's heal as far A,
he dared and ptaeei ii, little cheek against
his own. while pas ing his left arm round
Jacks whist Jack BEGAN tn recover from
his fright, and AZ he hal often bathed in
colder water than this he did not mini the
SEA 50 much, now that he hal something to
hold on TO.
well, Jaeky, how are you now, ami
what male you jump into the waterE
asked Pierrepoiut.
oh, take mo back to papa-t1kN me back
to the steamer! Where Is tue stsam,r!'
snow, You must keep quiet ami not fret"
said P,errepoint We have just to wait
here until we are sent for. Your father is
sending boat for u Are You coll,
JackyP
No, not very cold; but show me whore
4Ae steamer i>T
We'll" said Pierrepoint, "rub the salt
water out OF your eyes against my cheeks
and III turn round till we face the steamer;
then, when we rise on the top of a wave,
you must look quick.
They looked; and there was the great
Steamer, with her four masts and low red
tunnslN, with clouds OF white steam rushing
out at her jcapes pipes as she lay almost
stationary on tue water about quarter of
a mile away
Pierrepolnt coui see that the upper decks
and bulwarks and the lower rigging were
swarmns with people, every one on board
seemed 70 have come up When they rose
On the next wave a great change had taken
place FOR tuem-the sun had set. Piarfepnint
saw it. disappear as Tia wave lifted then.
end the surface Of the water became a dark
gray: but the stroag light still shone for a
lew seconds longer on the tunnels and masts
Jf the steamer.
Pierrepont with his little burden hoated
20 low that the men in the boat had not vet
Saen him; but he hal seen the boat Just as
the sun disappeared, and now knew whore
10 look for it. lie pulled q white handker.
chief out Of his coat pocket, aud when they
were on top OF a sea hs gave a shout and
waved; but tho cail was unhseded, the sea
sank from under them, and they were in
the hollow before the boat had risen. The
next time he succeeded As the boat rosa
the coxswain heard call and saw tue swim
mers on wave. The boats course was
slightly altered AMI in few minutes the
boat had them alongslis.
Il
All this tina Pierrep int had bean tread
ing water quietly, only keeping a lookout,
and encouraging Jack TO keep up his heart;
but Jacky cGuli not have kent up much
l'neer. The fright ard cold we're telling
lpon him, ard rs The bat cauA up, hs bl,
ayes closed, and his ohssS droppsl heavily
against Pierrepoinfs.
The cnckswain now took charge OF the
Mutation DON'T be ia n hurry, SIR" he
called How is the boyi7
"Oh, think he is all right" said Pierre
point; "he was quite lively minute ason
The cockswain thea called: sBe careful
now; steady, lads, there; be very careful
One OF Won catch the emil by the arm. an
Dther of you lay hold of tbs gentleman"
Pierropoint had lai his hand lightly on
the boats gunwalo, and still held Jacky
rmiy. Mickey, tine fireman, fastened his
toes among the bottom bbarls of the boat,
and stretching down until his face almost
iouched the water, caught little Jacky first
~ one arm anl then by both nni with
iextruu' twist raisel him quickly from the
water and laid him in tho bottom of the
boat. Two of the sailors thon caught Pierre
polnS by the shoulders AMI pulled him in;
-hen they pattel him on the breast and
back, way that sailors have OF expre sing
ympathy AMI approval, AMI then they
'heered and waved their caps toward the
mp The rowers again took their places,
ne boat was quickly turned, and the men