The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1889-04-05
win never hive Gill they get there"
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they passed on.
As for Captain hose he went pant
ing up the Hill into the town, climbed
into the belfry of Dell Haven church,
MS far up as he could go, and watch
ed through a spy-glass the progress
OF the mere speck in the distance and
the toiling helpers so far behind.
After a few minutes he realized that
Captain Danforth. although doing
his utmost, could not reach the per-
lied ones in time to save them and
he said to himself:
1.-THE boy is doing well, but he
can't hold out. l must do it," Cap
tain Roses little daughter had fol-
lowed 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, yourun-youcan
go quicker'n l can," and the Cap
tain scrubbed a message on the back
of an envelope, and giving it to her
bade her make haste to the telegraph
office. "You tell Johnny Blake it's
to save a life and thrust 60 ahead
of everything"
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 are
going to drown, and it's to save
them!"
The operator took the old envelope
and read:
Captain True, steam tug Good Heart,
Cromwell Harbor. Steam out Mt once in
search ofsmall~ boat-woman and boy in it
off Dell Haven three miles: going against the
wind; can't last long. JOHN ROSE.
"All right" said the operator,
clicking away at his machine for a
minute or two, and then eXclaiming,
"It's 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:
'Steam's up; start ut once; go myself.
TIMOTHY TRUE"
The operator did not stay to write
it. run quick and tell youfather Cap
tain 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 bel
fry 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
never to find it again. Meanwhile,
the news got abroad that Captain
Rose had t~elegraphed to Cornwall
for Il tug, and the burden of fear
grew lighter.
In the little boat again and again
had Richard tried to turn it's head
towards theland, but with each trial
it took in so much waterfall he was
to give up the attempt
could be done but keep o.
and face the boiling ee. Very few
were spoken. Mrs. Swing
kept bailing as fast as possible, with
only the shell of horseshoe crab to
work with.
At length came a wavelike a small
hill, up which the boat rode gallant
ly, and then suddenly Richard
shouted:
"They're coming for us, mother. l
see a boat just outside the harbor."
Then the tears sprung to Mrs.
SWINGS eyes. She stopped bailing
for q 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 a was
prayer; every dip of the poor old
crab shell was a 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 it's
captain stood watching the sea with
more earnest gaze. Never was steam
applied with more generous hand.
the 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 awaywithc cor
dial speed till Bright Head was won
and weathered.
II see it'll" shouted the Captain,
though how in thunder it's lived to
get there's more'n I know" and he
gave directions to steam outside.
Richards attention was so divided
between the pillows and theland and
the friendly boat, and Mrs. Swing
was so intent on bailing, that neith-
er of them saw the tug until it was
upon them, and a hailing voice shout
I'd:
Hold on till we pick you up"
1t seemed as if voice from heaven
had spoken. Even bluff old Captain
Rose up ia 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, throbbing tug, friendly as
they seemed. yet came near swamp
the boat, for Richard let it turn,
and the last strength he had wasput
forth in holding it up to the wind I'M
til a line vas cast off, and even then
he had no power to make it fast. 1t
was Mrs. Swing who tried to obey
the commands that came but could
not.
Finally the tugs boat was lower
ed. 1t was no easy task to get to
and board the Good Heart,
held it's breath, bracing itself
against the waves almost as q thing
of life to do it's kindly office. Rich
ard and his mother had been saved.
"Give 'em a signal! Give 'em
threei'' and the steam whistle blew