The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-07-27
THE BREAK MATER LIGHT.
pace wnere the signal bad mashed were
QUICKLY covered.
From nrss page.

I y
ers can't leave the Holland tonight" re-
marked Maurice as they neared their
goal, but you're no worse OF than th.
boys on the New York pilotboatsa They
never send more than two men in theil
skiffs. They szy there is less loss; Il. The
skif goes adrift. But you'll be alf right
III tow you mp the bay d piece, 60 you
can run down to the breakwater with thu
wind" He stood up in the boat, which
rocked and danced beneath his feet and
looked around.
Where in thunder is that steamer
he muttered. ''They ought to he burn.
ing another light about now. Lie to-
boys" He swung the lantern again
keeping his feet with difficulty.
For some minutes they waited while
the pilot gazed anxiously out to sea. AL.
ready he was wet through and chilled
and longed to be landed safely in warm
and sheltered whee!house. Then his
thoughts were broken off by cry from
one Of the seamen. whose laces were
turned up the bay.
Steamers behind us!' It was the
| American sailor. His voice sounded
| strained and hoarse.
It was enough. Maurice turned in an
instant and caught a glimpse of an ex-
piring blue light nearly mile back of
| then.
Come about. Gays ne cried hastily;
we've overshot her. No time to lose :"
He used the steering oar to help whirl
hal .a< Il ~
their oars The wind fought against
theni now, and the great waves buffeted
them rudely In spite Of the cold the
perspiration strea,aed down the faces Of
the rOwers Maurice waved his lantern
again
The fools must have kept on after
they signaled us. Instead of stopping
where they were. Serve 'em right if they
ran aground. The men made no an
swer Such pull as they had before
them required all their breath.
For half an hour longer they rowed
desperately, striving to recover the lost
ground. The rowers never turned their
beads. but Maurice strained his eyes for
glimpse of the steamer, careless of the
hail that stung his face like myriad Of
tiny whips until at last glare in the
northwest rewarded his eager search.
What reward!
My God!" he cried. we're losing
ground!'
He turned to look at the great white
light on Cape Henlopen 1t should be
south of them. It was southwest! Wish
u 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 well 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 well 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
lance and shifting ever northward It
was evident that their utmost exertions
could not withstand the powers opposing
them.
Its no user he cried finally. We
are drifting out to sea all the time, and
our only chance is in keeping adoat until
the morning. We may be picked up
then. We must let her drift and keep
warm if we can till we spy sail"
The weary rowers rested on their oars
without word What could they sayi
They hudtlled 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 its 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 Il don't care how long you
are gone.
| TN glad now you don't. Nell. he
nurmured for I'm likely to stay away
this time.
81. they dr1fted through the night and
the storm toward their fate.
| Half an hour after Aurand had left
the Holland the watch OH deck hurried
aft with the same cry. Steamer burn
blue light!' and for the second time the
pilot hurried out into the darkness.
How does she bear Chris inquired
Truxill
| bout same der first" answered thu
Norwegian.
Truxill looked thoughtful. THAT il
queer" be said half to himself Il won
der if it is the same one that flashed be
fore. See here. Doc. " to the pilot VIII
was preparing to leave the Holland, 9
believe that is Maurice's boat: mayb,
you'd better wait bit till they sigma
again"
A moments reflection convinced tn
others that his proposal was wise on
under the circumstances The secont
skiff was righted, but not put into tn
| .r,o<or ov,d ,,;1o<o or6 <.roxu okrNo6 ~, HI