Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-08-22

difficult matter to dip the oars properly
in such a heavy sea.
SIT taxed all my GOODNESS and knowl-
edge of boating to hold the frail skiff
straight across the boiling sea. A sin
gle mismovement now would send us to
the bottom. When realized this con-
fess l felt alarmed. 1t was yet long
distance to land, and knew that, strong
as was, the situation was destined to
test my endurance to the utmost.
"1-I wish l could help you,' chat
tered the blue lips of my companion.
made no reply, but set my teeth hard
and urged the skiff more swiftly ON its
course.
"The wind seemed to rise each mo-
ment Great clouts of water splashed
over my person and the hiss of the boil
ing sea seemed like the mocking growl
of hungry animal about to spring upon
its prey. l breathed hard. Twas firing
with the awful strain.
81 fain would have called ON Dolph,
only knew should l relinquish the oars
for but one second it would end the
struggle. l must sit where / was and
hold the nose of the skiff out of the
trough of the sea till land was reached
else we We're lost Could l hold outi
This was the supreme question of that
terrible moment.
II was wet with perspiration, and nay
once stalwart frame trembled from my
long and unwonted exertion. / soon
realized with ashudder that my strength
was departing. 1t seemed to me at that
moment that there was no possibility of
our reaching land again.
II had on my heavy beaver coat, and
a belt strapped about my waist, loaded
with hatchet and cartridges. With
these l should stand no show in the
struggle for life in the water which at
that moment seemed inevitable. dared
not drop an oar to tighten myself. AT
length looked at my chattering COM
panion and bade him remove my belt.
He did not move, but seemed frozen in
his seat.
"In heavens namer cried l, take off
this belt, Dolph. It's heavier than so
much lead He moved then to obey me,
trembling with the wet and cold. After
some difficulty he managed to reach me,
and with no little effort succeeded in re-
moving my belt, which he laid in the
bottom of the boat.
This seemed slight relief, yet, as
my strength was fast leaving me, re-
allied that 1t could be but question of
very short time ere the struggle in the
cold lake must begin.
"'Can you swim, DolphT | asked
breathlessly.
"Not stroke he replied, and then
realized all the more the dangers of
our position. In such storm it would
be impossible to cling long to the boat
when once it was overturned, as it must
be the instant should drop the oars.
How long could hold outr My hands
We're blistered and swollen, while my
arms trembled from weakness caused
by the terrible strain.
II caught the glance of Dolph's eyes.
There was an appeal in them, combined
with look of such terror, shall never
forget. He seemed to read my thoughts
and tried to appear cheerful and uncon-
cerned. He even tried to strengthen me
with words of hope.
"'We're gaining all the time he said |
in an unsteady voice. Hold out a little |
longer, Jack, and we are safe-just a
little longer
Just little longer All! | cannot
tell you, Jim, what my feelings were at
that moment, when it seemed that the
last nerve in my body was strained to
its utmost, ready to snap at any instant,
while perspiration poured from me In
otr
not do it. | felt strangely, horribly
weak. In vain tried to nerve myself,
to send new strength into my trembling
arms.
"1 cannot stand this cried husk-
lily. Make ready for the plunge, Dolphr
Hold on little longer, Jack. You
must! We're almost out Of the pillows.
Hold fast, hold fast, Jackr almost
screamed my frightened companion.
II said not word. could not speak
again if / would; was too weak for
that, and so eluny numbly to the oars,
and worked them like one in dream.
The waste of mad waters seemed like
dim, foggy, roaring Niagara, fast re-
ceding in the distance.
THE white face Of Dolph grew less
distinct each moment; then came ter
rible roar, like the crash of thousand
pieces of artillery, and black pail Gov
cred the scene. All was over!
Something binding In its glare next
filed my vision. 1t was several mo-
ments before was able to gaze about.
lifted an aching hand and felt beside
me. 1t touched solid earth. l beheld
several grim faces and the blaze Of a
fire. Overhead was a tent covering.
81 was on dry land surely. At this
moment the face of Dolph bent over me,
and smile filled his eyes, now no longer
strained with an awful fear.
"You're all right, old fellow he
said, with hearty laugh. Just as our
skiff struck the shore you fell over like
a log and / had some trouble getting
you away from the water. These are
fishermen and friends, Yes, the guns
and ammunition are safe, providing the
water hasn't spelled them. Please lie
still while bring you cup of hot cof-