The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-09-08
''Babies tie up l"wss Ben's sneGine

sBabies tie up |" as Ben's sne0ine
comment on Dams prudence.
The next moment, Ben was going over
the vessels rail in the strong, fierce grasp
Of a sweeping billow Dan chung for
his life.
Good enough for him - muttered
Dan.
1t was then he seemed to hear voice,
.Dan Dan Dan ~
He looked up amid the flying spray.
at is Will ~ he moaned.
He seemed to hear his mothers voice,
too. saving. IF you ever want to do
wrong, You hear his voice calling you
away from 1t.
The next moment Dan had kicked of
his heavy boots, was climbing the
schooner's rail, still clinging to one end
of that rope, and then threw himself into
the sea. Ben was Just ahead, turning
now and with CHASTITY face looking to-
ward the schooner. He could swim, but
he was no match for Dan, who was called
at home a water-dog. In that confusing,
driving sea, amid those terrible pillows
swelling, towering, Ben's strength would
soon have been exhausted. He could
now make out that somebody was com
ing from the schooner toward him. He
could make out face. He caught
glimpse of the rope. 1t aroused him to
new effort. He swan harder. There,
in the terrible sea, Dan and Ben met
and Dan shouted, "Hold on to this ~
A dozen strong, brown hands were
laid on that line to which Dan and Ben
chung.
"Easy, boys :" shouted the skipper to
his men. "Pull stiddy' Look out for
breakers :" Clinging to any chance
support as they pulled, they drew ont Of
that maelstrom Of death the two young
fishermen.
a month after this the "Jaunty" sail.
ed. one Tuesday, into Gloucester har-
Dor. Wednesday Dan was at home in
the little red farmhouse, telling about
his trip.
thought | might hear something about
Will at the Banks, but didn't hear
word about Will. l heard him calling
me, one fearful storm"
"You did =
eyes, mother
He did not tell her he had obeyed the
voice and rescued Wills enemy. Others
told the mother about the rescue.
Didn't pick up anything about Will,
mother, but feel nearer to him. said
Dan.
Widow Fuller started, urged by some
unknown fear. Arthur vas observant.
He noticed her agitation.
Mother he said, at dusk, when
they were alone, guess l wouldn't en-
courage Dan TO talk about Will
II don't, Arthur.
You see, it lays In my MUD just this
way, the boy is crazy to find his brother,
and / believe il was the secret of his
going away. Don't You see. mother
Now, he thought he heard Will. but it
was only Dams mind a-workin'."
She was silent !
"FOlks that talk that way about them
that are gone will don't know, but it
makes me shiver."
1t did not make Dan shiver. When a
fever set in which the doctor said could |
be traced back to Dams exposure in that
storm at the Banks, Dan was out of his |
head and talked about Will, but these !
thoughts were not unwelcome. They |
seemed to make a restful music in the !
sick boys soul.
"Arthur, he's no better" moaned the |
widow, "the doctor says he can't Ike well |
again, and he's all the time a-talkin'
about Will. Can't fiud him, yon see.
Hark,'
A summons from Dams Bed.
"Open the window he said. /
They raised the window toward tlis /
sea, and the gentle hushed roar along
the sands, could be heard in the chamber /
Of death.
"Hark.' said Dan, looking up, a soft,
bright light shining in his dark eyes. /
"Don't yOu hear him. .
"Who is it?' sobbed his mother.
''Hark!" don't You hear Will? He's a.
calling! He's come, l knew he wasn't .
lost, Oh, MONO"
The next moment the fisher-boy had
found his brother and they we're joined |
CKyts.ian JHt0H.