Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-21

the bottom. When realized this con-
fess 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.
ell wish l could help you,' chat
tered the blue lips of my companion.
made no reply, but set my teeth hard
and urged the slxiff 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. 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 / must sit where | was and
hold the nose of the skiff out of the
trough of the sea till land was reached
else we were lost Could hold out?
This was the supreme question of that
terrible moment.
81 was wet with perspiration, and nay
once stalwart frame trembled from my
long and unwonted exertion. / soon
realized with a ashudder that my strength
was departing. 1t seemed to me at that
moment that there was no possibility of
our reaching land again.
NI had on my heavy beaver coat, and
belt strapped about my waist, loaded
with Ratchet and cartridges. With
these | 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.
SIN 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 it could be but a question of
very short time ere the struggle in the
cold lake must begin.
"tCan you swim, DolphY 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 out? My hands
were 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. Ahl 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
streams. just little longer Icould
not do it. l felt strangely, horribly
weak. In vain tried to nerve myself,
to send new strength into my trembling
arms.
so cannot stand this cried husk-
ily. Make ready for the plunge, Dolphr
"sHold on little longer, Jack. You
mustl We're almost out of the pillows
Hold fast, hold fast, Jackl' almost
screamed my frightened companion.
''I said not word. / could not speak
again if | would; was too weak for
that, and so clung numbly to the oars,
and worked them like one in dream.
The waste of mad waters seemed like a
dim, foggy, roaring Niagara, fast re-
ceding in the distance.
"The white face of Dolph grew less
distinct each moment; then came a ter
rible roar, like the crash of thousand
pieces of artillery, and black pail cov-
cred the scene. All was overt
Something binding in it's 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. ! beheld
several grim faces and the blaze of a
fire. Overhead was tent covering.
81 was on dry land surely. At this
moment the face of Dolph bent over me,
and smile filed 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
log and I 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 spoiled them. Please lie
still while bring you a cup of hot cof-
fee.'
"Ah! that was the happiest moment
of my life. How soothing was the
sound Of the cracking fire and the smell
of the hot coffee. Under the combined
influence of these Irevived and wassoon
out of danger, although it was long
time before l recovered fully from that
fearful experience. shall not forget
that ride on Forest lake to my dying
day."-James Mckinney Merrill in Yam