The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-11-17


It required but few moments to
splice some planks together and launch
them into the sea, but the task was COM
pleted none too soon. The waves had
carried them only little way off when
the ship broke in two where 1t hung
upon the rock and went down amid q
gurgle and swirl of black waters that
sucked into its maelstrom every floating
particle that swan within Its reach.
The two men with difficulty main
tanned their hold upon the slender means
that lay between themselves and death.
Through the long night they were tossed.
to and fro, the wash of the waves all the
time carrying them further seward.
When morning came, they scanned the
horizon anxiously for any sign of land
or of their missing companions. Far
away to the east lay the white line Of
breakers that marked the reef where the
ship struck.
beyond that lies Captiva," said the
young man.
cit might as well be thousand miles,"
replied the captain. eve can never
reach it,"
AS the light grew stronger they made
out faint, black speck upon the water
long way off, yet nearer than the reef
and between themselves and 1t. Both
men watched 1t a long time in silence.
"It is boat" said the captain, ''and
bottom up. Some of the poor souls have
gone, but only bya little shorter route
than we shall"
"It is drifting this way" said the
other, ''but more Slowly than we, be-
cause it lies deeper in the water. IF we
could paddle toward it or even hold our
selves here"--
The men looked down upon the bare
planks of the raft, then, moved by a,
common impulse, threw themselves
PROSTATE upon it and began to paddle
with their hands against the beating:
waves. 1t was slow and exhausting
work, but for an hour they continued
their effort steadily. At the end Of that
time they were perceptibly nearer the
boat.
The sun was now hot and fierce, and
unprotected from its scorching rays, and
without food or drink, the men were
beginning to give way urder the strain.
Still they toi1ed desperately on: They
became dizzy from. the glare Of light.
upon the water yet kept their eyes fixed
steadily toward the boat. It was high
noon before they were near enough to.
feel safe in resting. Then the captain,
after long and steady look toward the
boat, uttered sudden exclamation
'tThere is some one clinging to Il, he
said. Then added, painfully, after q
brief pause, There are two" His mouth
was parched and cracked SO that he
could hardly utter the words.
eft is man and q woman, /" answered
his companion; eve must reach them. ?
Then they fell to work again.
An hour more and the raft ana the
boat touched. The threats Of the men
had become so dry that they could not
hail, and the two upon the boat were 80
nearly exhausted that they had not OBJ
served the approach OF the raft.
Getting close alongside, the occupants
OF the raft drew first the woman and
then the man 20 place Of greater Sc
curity and then attempted to fight the
boat. This, which would not have been
8 great task for such experienced seamen
under ordinary circumstances, was now,
owing to their exhausted condition, only
accomplished after q long effort.
at last they wers able to place thei1
rescued companions in the boat to clam
her Ia themselves and to make the raft
fast against possible future needs. Then
nature would stand no more, and the
four slept and drifted
A sudden passing rain, q shower fail
ing from clear sky. came upon the
faces of the sleepers and Weakened them.
It was rain OF the tropics. sudden,
heavy and brief. The four lay with mp.
turned faces and let it fall into their
mouths. They caught It n their hands
and moistened their parched tnroats