Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-03-28

knew the danger OF the tiny boat.
With breathless eagerness they
watched the surf boat as It's two row.
ers stood at the oar urging it onward.
ats down the harbor now. They're
catching it It's an awful wind for
June. Do you think they're gaining
on 'em? That mite OF a boat will
v live till they get there" were
some Of the remarks heard as they
passed IN.
As for Captain Rose he went painting
up the hill into tho town. climbed into
the belfry OF Dell Haven church. as
far up as he could go. and watched
through a spy-glass the progress Of
tho mere speck in the distance and the
toiling helpers so far behind
After n few minutes he realized that
Captain Danforth. although doing his
utmost. could not reach the pcriled
ones Ia time to v them and he said
10 himself:
The boy is doing well. but he can't
hold out ! must do it Captain
Roses little daughter had followed
her father into the church and climbed
the belfry stairs.
See here. Dolly" he said. ''can
you look through here and keep sharp
watch? No. you run-you can go
quicker'n ! can and the captain
scrubbed n message on the back Of an
envelope. and giving it her babe her
make haste to the telegraph ofic-.
You tell Johnny Blake it's To save 4
life and it must 90 ahead Of every
thing.
Dolly Rose did o need 10 BE- told
twice She ran every step OF the way,
and rushing into the telegraph Office
flushed and eager cried out:
Mr. Blake. here. send this quick.
Richard Swing and his mother ara go
ing TO drown. and it's 10 save them"
The operator took the old envelope
and read:
Captain True. steam ting Good Heart crom
well Harbor. steam cut At oac~ in search o.
small ~boat-~oman and by Ia it-or Dell Hav-
en- three miles, gotzg against the wnt: ean-t
last long JoHS ROSE
'All right" said the operator. click
ing away at his machine FOR a minute
or two. and then exclaiming: Its
done. Wait u minute. sis. and I'll tell
you whether or not he gets it: wire
runs right down to the wharf"
The minutes went by. Ten had
passed when the answer came back:
steaTn's up; start at once. 90 myself.
U RUE
The operator did not stay to write
it, Run quick and tell your father
Captain True is gone already" he
said.
Dolly AN. saying to every one she
met: They'll be saved, They'll be
sayed!' The child got up to the belfry
stair. and couldn't utter n word. She
could only smile and bow her head and
try Ia get out the message. which she
did ut last.
Captain Roses eye was on the speck.
He dared not take it of lest never to
find it again. Meanwhile. the news
got abroad that Captain Rose had tele-
graphed I o Cornwall for a tug. and the
burden Of fear grew lighter.
In the little boat agaip and again had
Richard tried to turn its head towards
the land. but with each trial it took in
so much water that he was forced to
give up the attempt Nothing could
be done but keep of and face the boil
ing sea Very few words were spoken.
Mrs Swing kept battling as fast rs pos
sible. with only the shell OF n horse
shoe crab to work with
At length came a wave like a small
hill. up which the boat rode gallantly,
and then suddenly Richard shouted:
They're coming for us, mother. ]
q boat just outside the harbor."
Then the tears sprang to Mrs.
Swings eyes She stopped bailing for
a moment to look toward the shore.
All she could see was a wall of water
shutting out the land.
Courage, mother" Dick said.
Every rise and fall of the oar was n
prayer; every dip of the poor old crab
shell was n petition for life.
Out from Cromwell Harbor, seven
miles to tie eastward, and hidden from
sight by Bright Head, steamed the tug
Good Heart Never had it's captain
stood watching the sea with more
earnest gaze Never was steam applied
with mora ~Anarn.,o ka, -, IL
woman and the boy in the boat out at
sea that lived in the gaze. in the steam
and in the fuel. and Good Heart bore
away with cordial speed till Bright
Head was won and weathered.
Il see it," shouted the captain,
though how in thunder it's lived to
get there's more'n 1 know" and he
gave directions to steam outside.
Richards attention was so divided
between the pillows and the land and
the friendly boat and Mrs Swing was
so intent on battling. that neither of
them saw the tug until it was upon
them. and a hailing voice shouted:
Hold on till we pick you up
1t seemed as If a voice from Heaven
had spoken. Even bluff old Captain
Rose. up in the belfry Of the church
calculated: Thank uod," Is he saw
the tug come to.
The shock Of the call. the sight OF
the black. throbbing tug. friendly as
they seemed. yet came near swapping
the boat. for Richard let it turn. and
the last strength he had was put forth
in holding it up TO the wind until a
line was east of. and even then he had
no bower 10 max. if fast II x.sA-