The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-12-16

were broken. Before we could get the
spare set out the next wave was close
astern. We were forced to drop every
thing 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 be-
fore it reached us, and in a 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 sudden
ness of it all, for it happened in very
short time, rather dAzed us, but we
were thankful for having landed 80
easily.
I'VE 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 would not catch on
the rocks. They slipped over the Shiny
surface and gave Us no purchase. We
could not remain indecisive, as the tide
was rising and the beach would soon be
covered. We placed the shipwrecked
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 OIL the
beach. r.s
"By this time we were wet t! WRh
and through. Our clothes were tss--n
and stiff as boards. We were dis
couraged. cold and exhausted. 1t was
evident that the sea must go down be-
fore 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 10 do? Here we
were on a bare rock which was covered
with snow, without a fire or any means
Of warming our almost frozen bodies.
Nothing but death in q horrible form
was before us.
The cold was intense, and we were
becoming numb. In order to warm our
blood | served ont big drink of whisky
all around. This seemed to start our
blood moving once more, but it failed to
raise our spirits ] thought Of my wife
and babies at home. What would they
do whom was gone? thought, too, of
the warm fire, the dry clothes and the
comfortable bed at the station. | reused
myself, FOR it would not do to give up.
We must get off, but nobody could think
of any way.
"As | thought, | became very much
worked up, and looked around for some
one on whom to vent my rage. saw
Harry sitting in crevice of the cliff,
calmly putting away at his pipe. This
somehow aggravated me. walked
over to him. and asked him if he was
going to sit there like a blooming idiot
and not do anything to help save him
self and the rest of us.
"He stood up and his face turned
pale. for | said great deal more than
have told you about. but let that pass
He looked me 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 reach
ing the boat he made bowline Oh the
end of the line, and throwing it over his
head and right arm started Lor tne Feet.
Before reaching ii he turned and said
Jerry, when | get out there and wave
my hand, launch your boat and warp
her out with this line.
without another word he begA:;
crawling out on the reef. We though:
each wave would sweep him off. But
after each one had passed over him we
would see him crawl out little farther.
Slowly and steadily he orawled to the
outer point and signaled. Then, throw
ing himself ON his face. he dug his hands
and feet in the crevices and braced hm.
self for the strain The tide had risel
and he was now under water almost all
the time.
1--WE launched the boat and the first
time we tried we warped her out far
enough to use our oars. but it took time
to do it.
when we got to Harry we tried to
draw him to the boat. but we could not
move him. We shouted and told him
to let go, but he did not move. 1t was
not until we pulled on him sideways
| that we got him to the boat.
''The fact was-he was dead. Lieu
tenant ]. Il. Scott, U. S. R. M. IN
| Romance.