The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-08-27

wave coming, and looking as if it
was about to break, | sung out,
Stern all! but owing to the noise
they did not hear me. and seeing
me working as if tor dear life at the
steering oar. they gave a stroke ahead
so that the wave would break aStern
of us.
That stroke carried us between
the reefs, and in the next instant the
wave was upon us. Its light green
and semi transparent sides lowered
high above us, while the foam on
its crest overhung the boat, threaten
ing to swamp us. The spectacle
was SO awe inspiring that we were
unable to move, but sat in our places
with our eyes fixed on this almost
irresistible mass. Each second was
like an age. Would the boat never
rise? She started to rise so suddenly
that she was almost perpendicular
before we could realize it, and we
were thrown in a confused heap
against the forward bulkhead. We
were now afraid that she would be
thrown end over end, and for a few
seconds we hung in that awful posi-
ton, hurried along at an incredible
speed. Then slowly the wave began
to pass under us, and as soon as l
could l grasped the steering oar and
tried to steady her. When the wave
had passed US we found ourselves
about two thirds of the distance to-
ward the beach and between the
two reefs.
Our oars, except the steering one,
were broken. Before we could get
the spare set out the next wave was
close astern. We were forced to
drop everything and hold on for
life. | had my feet jammed in the
straps and laid her fair so that the
wave would be broken on the stern.
1t broke, however, just before it
reached US, and in mass of foam.
Our boat was filled with water and
we were thrown on the beach.
Fortunately no one was hurt and
the boat was not injured. The sud-
deness of it all, for it happened in a
very short time, rather dazed us,
but we were thankful for having
landed so easily.
We bailed the boat out and soon had
her ready for launching again. But
now came the question, how can we
get her off? We could not row, as
the blades of the oars would5ot
catch on the rocks. They slipped
over the Shiny surface and gave us
no purchase. Ws could not remain
indecisive, as the tide was rising and
the beachWould soon be covered.
We y placed the shiprecked crew in
the boat and endeavored to launch
her, using the oars to pole her off;
but the water soon deepened and
we were thrown back on the beach.
Three times we launched the boat,
and each time we were thrown back
on the beach.
By this time we were wet through
and through. Our clothes we're
frozen and stiff as board. We
were discouraged, cold and ex-
hausted 1t was evident that the sea
must 60 down before we could
launch our boat and get away. But
the tide was rising. The small beach
would soon be covered and we
should have to retreat up the cliffs
and leave the boat. our only means
Of escape, to be dashed to pieces on
the rocks. What were we to do?
Here we were on bare rock which
was covered with snow, without a
fire or any means OF warming our
almost frozen bodies. Nothing but
death in horrible form was before
us
The cold was intense, and we
were becoming numb. In order to
warm our blood l served out big
drink OF whiskey all around. This
seemed to start our blood moving
once more, but it failed to raise our
spirits. l thought OF my wife and
babies at home. What would they
do when l was gone? l thought,
too, of the warm fire, the dry clothes
and the comfortable bed at the
station. l reused myself, for it
would not do to give up. We must
get off, but nobody could think of
any way.
AS 1 thought. l became very
much worked up, and looked around
for some one on whom to vent my
rage. saw Harry sitting in a
crevice OF the emf, calmly putting
away at his pipe. This somehow
aggravated me. l walked ovef tc
him, if he was going to sit there like
a blooming idiot and not do any
thing to help save himself and the
rest OF us.
He stood up and his face turned
pale, for | said a great deal more
than | have told you about, but let
that pass. He looked NE all over.
| thought he was going to strike
me. Then, walking toward the boat,
he said, as he passed me, I'll get
you out of this scrape, but He
was going to say something more
but evidently changed his mind. On
reaching the boat he made a bowline
on the end of the line, and throwing
it over his head and right arm
started for the reef Before reach
ing it he turned and said, Jerry,
when | pet out there and wave nv