The Opelousas courier., 1889-05-11


knew the danger Of the tiny boat
With breathless eagerness they
watched the surf boat as its two row.
ers stood at the oar urging 1t onward.
"It's down the harbor now. They're
catching it. It's an awful wind for
June. Do you think they're gaining
emp That mite of a boat will
never live till they get there" were
some of the remarks heard as they
passed on.
AS for Captain Rose he went painting
up the hill into the 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
the mere speck in the distance and the
toiling helpers so far behind.
After a few mi zEH5Ags' he realized that
Captain Danforth, although doing his
utmost, could not reach the periled
ones in time to save them and he said
to himself:
''The boy Is doing well, but he can't
hold out l 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
watchp No, you run-you can go
quicker'n / can," and the captain
scrubbed a message On the back of an
envelope, and giving it her babe her
make haste to the telegraph Office.
''You tell Johnny Blake it's to save g
life and it must go ahead of every
thing"
Dolly Rose did not need to 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 r 60
ing to drown, and it's to save them!"
The operator took the old envelope
and read: n
Captain True, steam tug Good Heart, Croft
we'll Harbor. Steam out at once in search OF
0L41k Oh4oL CsAAo " AA ~ AVE-
en- three miles; going against the wind; can't
last long. JOHN ROSE.
"All right" said the operator, click
ing away at his machine for a minute
or two, and then exclaiming: "It's
done. Wait a 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:
steam's up; start at once; go myself.
TIMOTHY TRUE.
The operator did not stay to write
it. Run quick and tell your father
Captain True is gone already" he
said.
Dolly ran, saying to every n she
met: They'll be saved! They'll be
saved!" The child got up to the belfry
stair, and couldn't utter a word. She
could only smile and bow her head and
try to get out the message, which she
did at last.
Captain Roses eye was ON the speck.
He dared not take it off lest to
find it again. Meanwhile, the news
got abroad that Captain Rose had tele-
graphed to Cornwall for a tug, and the
burden of fear grew lighter.
In the little boat again 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 keePsof and face p!e boil.
ing sea- Very few words Q spoEen.
Mrs. Swing kept bailing as fast as pos
sible, with only the shell Of a horse
shoe crab to work With.
At length came q wlve like a small
hill, up which the boat rode g~allantly,
and then suddenly Richard shouted:
They're coming for us, mother. ]
see a boat just outside the harbor."
Then the tears sprang to Mrs.
Swings eyes. She stopped bailing fol
a moment to look toward the shore
ALI she could Q was 8 wall OF water
shutting out the land.
Courage, mother" Dick said.
Every rise and fall of the oar was 4
prayer; every dip of the poor old crat
she'll was a petition for life.
Opt from Cromwell Harbor, seven
miles to the 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 more generous hand. Twas the
woman and the boy in the boat out al
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 weath.sed.
II see it" shouted the captain,
Though how in thunder it's lived tt
get there's more'n- / know" and hi
| gave directions to steam outside.
Richards attention was SO divided
between the pillows and the land ant
the friendly boat, and Mrs. Swing was
20 intent on bailing, that neither o
them saw the tug until it was upor
them, and a hailing voice shouted:
Hold on till we pick you up.n
It seemed as If a voice from HEAVIER
had spoken. Even bluff old Captain
Rose. up in the belfry of the church
! calculated: THANK God!n as he saw
| the tug come to.
The shock of the call, the sight o
the black, throbbing tug, friendly q
they seemed, yet came near swapping
| the boat, for Richard let it turn, ant
the last strength he had was put fortf