River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-04-04

The minutes went by. Ten haa
passed when the answer came back:
stears'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 one she
met: They'll be saved, They'll be
savedr' 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 speclz.
He dared not take it of lest never TO
find it again. Meanwhile, the news
got abroad that Captain Rose had tele-
graphed to Cornwall for tug, aud 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 keep off and face the boil
ing sea. Very few words were spoken.
Mrs. Swing kept bailing as fast as pos
sible. with only the shell of a horse
shoe crab to work with.
Al length came a wave like a small
hill, up which the boat rode gallantly,
and then suddenly Richard shouted:
10.
see boat just outside the harbor."
Then the tears sprang to Mrs.
Swings eyes. She stopped bailing for
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 a
prayer; every dip of the poor old crab
shell was petition for life.
Out from Cromwell Harbor, seven
miles to the eastward, and hidden from
sight by Bright Head. steamed the tug
Good Heart. Never had its captain
stood watching the sea with more
earnest gaze. Mover was steam applied
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 / 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 bailing, that neither of
them saw the tug until it was upon
them, AMI 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 God" as he saw
the tug come to.
The shock of the call, the sight OF
the black, tnrobbing 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
line was cast off, AMI even then he had
no power to make it fa't. 1t was Mrs.
Swing who tried to OBJ ~ the commands
but could not.
Finally the tugs Dc It was low cred.
II was no easy task 80 get TO leeward
and board the Good Heart, which held
its breath. bracing itself against the
waves almost as a thing of life to dc
its kindly Office. Richard and his
mother had been saved.
Give 'em a signal! Give 'em three!r
and he steam whistle blew three
shrieks that went over tie bay and NJ
the harbor and over against the meet
ing-house steeple, until cd Captain
Rose fell down on his knees to utter
the first prayer of thankfulnees his lit
tie Dolly had ever heard her father
offer.-Sarah 7. Pritchard, in n. Y.