Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-10

craft must have been crushed, but just al
all hope seemed gone, the vessel, now hav
ing the breeze in her forward sails, was
sent onward, swift as an arrow, out ol
danger.
She had a narrow escape, however, fol
the great masses just grazed her sid's ano
at the same moment, instead of cry ol
Joy, one of horror was heard, for Capt
Henderson, who, as the impe1iled ship
glided on, had run aft and sprung upon the
board between the two icebergs.
Unable to swim, he clutched at spur oi
ice projecting from the perpendicular wall
of the berg nearest to him, and 10 this he
clung, half frozen and benumbed.
Down went two boats-one from the
sloop beabird and one from the Ixion.
The boat from the latter was nearer the
channel than the other, which was under
the command of Lieutenant Walton.
''No use % shouted the officer Of the
Ixion's boat. 'We cannot reach him. II
were certain death to venture in that chan
mel, with the bergs about to come to-
gether Already there is hardly room for
the boat to get between the ice walls"
A rope was thrown Toward the unfortu-
nate man, who, in minute, unless he
could be rescued from his position, would
be squeezed between the two crystal masses
crushed to death in an icy shroud
He saw the rope as it came toward him
and gave a despairing cry, for his half
frozen fingers would not have permitted
him to grasp it, even had he dared to let 60
his hold of the slippery spur.
''My God! he is lostl" cried the Ixion's
officer.
As be spoke, Walton came up and per-
ceived at a glance that the channel be-
tween the bergs was now too narrow for
even his boat, which was smaller than the
Ixion's, to enter it.
All hope for the captain seemed gone.
"We will have to give him upP' said the
Ixion's officer.
ssNo!' answered the other, s'there is
still room between the bergs for man to
swim there!"
"The person who made the venture
would be crushed ere he could come out
See! the bergs must close together in few
seconds!''
Walton's blue eyes flashed with resolu-
tion. The man before him, appa emily
about to meet with horrid death, was his
rival-one who had tyraunised over him,
provoked him, removed him from the
presence of the girl he loved, and by
trickery won her consent to be his wife,
Were the captain rescued, he would be-
come the girls husband should he perish
there would be a chance for Walton to win
her. But considerations like these did not
influence the noble-nearted young man.
As quick as thought he fastened the end of
a rope about his breast, under the arms,
and plunging overheard into those cold
waters, he swan between the bergs, re-
solved to risk his life in the effort to save
that of the captain.
He reached the imperilled man, pulled
him from his hold, and throwing an arm
about him, ordered his crew to haul.
Such cheer as went up from both
boats, as we'll as from the sloop and the
Ixion, was never before heard in Arctic
waters.
On being picked up the Captain was
taken to his ship, while Walton returned
to the sloop. For days the two men felt
the effects of their submersiou in the ice-
cold water. Walton was the first to re-
cover, when his rival sent for him.
II have wronged you," said the invalid.
when the two met, sand l am now going
to make Ieparation, for I am not wholly
wanting in gratitude, as you shall $780,
Perhaps the apparent indifference of my
intended to my sufferings has had the ef-
feet of changing me. Certain it is that she
has paid me little attention since my gal
liant rescue by you, of which she was wit
ness, while she has been unceasing in her
iuquiries about yourself She has, it seems,
cornered her father, the surgeon, about
story he told her of your being engaged,
and he has owned to her that he was not
sure of the truth of it; but he says that he
really saw you taking leave of young
lady before you sailed"
''That was my sister," answered Wal.
ton.
"Well, go and tell Bella SO and make 1t
up with her, for she and lit being now
plain that neither of US loves the other
have 'brokenP"
Walton ard Bella met soon after and
had an explai alton. Two weeks later the
young lieutenant, having been restored to
his former position aboard the ship. was
by the chaplain united to the beautiful girl,
who never forgot the behavior of the gal
liant fellow on that day when, by rescuing
his rival, he SO nobly returned good for
evil.