The Press., 1893-08-24
them required all their breath.

tiny whips, until at last glare in the northwest rewarded his eager search. What rewardi
 My God!'' he cried. ..we're losing groundp'
 He turned to look at the great white light on Cape Henlopen. It should be south of them. It was southwest! With a groan Maurice fell back on the seat and turned the boats head westward.
 Pull for your lives now, boys. We may make the point of the cape"
 In his heart he had small expectation of it, but the seamen must be urged to the utmost, though it seemed impossible they should exceed their previous exer- tions. Aurand was very young pilot, but he knew we'll that with storm and tide both fighting against them their chance of making the point was but slight, even had they been directly be- tween the capes, and by the bearing of the lighthouse he knew they were al ready we'll outside.
 For their lives they did row for an hour more. Maurice himself took the place of the weaker sailor and struggled like young giant. Then, at last, even he gave way, for he saw the beacon growing smaller and fainter in the dis tance and shifting ever northward. It was evident that their utmost exertions could not withstand the powers opposing them.
 "It's no user' he cried finally. I've are drifting out to sea all the time, and our only chance is in keeping afoat until the morning. We may be picked up then. We must let her drift and keep warm ii. we can till we spy sail.'
 The weary rowers rested on their oars without word. What could they say? They huddled together to preserve their warmth while the storm beat upon them unresisted. Maurice sat in the stern with the steering oar. The lantern stood on the floor between them; even it's dim light was comforting, and it might have to signal vessel if one should come in sight. He thought of Nell Graves part ing words, ''I don't care how long you are gone"
 'I'm glad now you don't, Nell" he murmured. flor I'm likely to stay away this time."
 So they drifted through the night and the storm toward their fate.
 Half an hour after Aurand had left the Holland the watch on deck hurried aft with the same cry, Steamer burn blue lightr' and for the second time the pilot hurried out into the darkness.
 ''How does she bear. Chris?'' inquired Truxill
 "'Bout same der first" answered the Norwegian.
 Truxill looked thoughtful "That is queer," he said half to himself "I won der if it is the same one that flashed be- fore. See here, Doc," to the pilot who was preparing to leave the Holland, 'I believe that is Matrices boat; maybe you'd better wait bit till they signal again."
 A moments reflection convinced the others that his proposal was a wise one under the circumstances. The second skiff was righted, but not put into the water, and pilots and crew stood on the alert, gazing seaward through the storm. Before many minutes had passed their patience was rewarded-a brilliant blue gleam shone out between the capes, and with all haste "Doc" Miner, who had the ''second chance" dropped into the skif with the remaining two men of the crew and started through the gap where Aurand had last been seen. "Send word back whether they saw Matrices steamer" cried Truxill tc the departing pilot. "Old man," to hisre- maining comrade, ''Im worried. That last light seemed to be inside when we saw the other. If that steamer is the same one that signaled the first time, Maurice has missed her, and"- He turned his face away.
 There was no need to finish. Both of them knew we'll what fate to expect for three men adrift in an open boat in such weather
 ''It might be so," replied his compan- ion, with marked hesitation, but I wouldn't like to believe it. Ahr' He pointed seaward where the weird light gleamed again. Scarcely was it burned out when another appeared, quickly fol lowed by third. The pilot stood staring until the last gleam was gone, leaving the surrounding blackness even more in- tense than at first. TruxiH turned away and leaned heavily against the mast for moment, and when he spoke again there was pitiful quiver in his voice. "A1, it's gone wrong with Maurice! That steamer isn't in distress or she would show other signals. She's only tired of waiting out there in the blow. It's the same one, and Doc's gone with our last boat"
 The other man made no answer. The | 6ol I ', crushing force.
 The second skiff rapidly approached the steamer. Indeed it was fortunate for them that she began burning the ex- tra lights, for they, too, had been borne along by tide and storm faster than they imagined, and few minutes more would have carried them beyond her.
 Miner seized the ladder and climbed aboard in great haste.
 "How long have you been here, cap tainT' he inquired hurriedly.
 "For more than an hour!' The cap tain was very irate. By heavens, be. gan to believe every pilot in the bay was asleep or afraid'- He broke off sudden. ly, for at the first words Miner had sprun to the side.
 'Hold fast, boys, while tow you u to windward of the breakwater! Hurr aboard the Holland and tell them Mau rice Aurand is gone adriftt" He spran to the wheelhouse. Full speed ahead! rang the signal, and the great vessel GU the waves faster and faster, while headed her inshore toward the upper en- of the harbor. The slight skiff alongsid leaped from wave to wave, burying he bow in each one and drenching the me in her to the skin while they plunge through the few miles that lay betwee them and the Holland. As they neare the great pile of stone Miner slowed u to allow the skiff to cast off safely.
 ''Tell them Maurice is gone adrif and for them to go look for him!" shouted to the men in her.
 Meanwhile the two pilots left alon in the Holland were in an ecstasy c rage at their own hopelessness. The