The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-11

ITO pay my lare,n replied the boy. "It's
most enough, think. Twill earn the rest
soon when get over there"
The good captain could maintain his
gravity no longer. A smile lighted up his
rugged features as he said kindly:
0There, there, Joby, keep your money,
nv boy. You are an honest little fellow,
after all. You shall stay with me on the
Falcon. and we will make man of you.
How will that suit your"
Jobv was delighted, of course. The sail
ors, who are wonderfully handy at such
things, devised suit of clothing for his
small bodly. He speedily became great
favorite W it'll the crew of the Falcon, prov
ing himself to be active and intelligent,
and, what is far better, absolutely honest
and truthful. The captain had grown very
fond of Joby, and as for Joby-well, it
was not long before every body on board
knew what Joby thought OF the captain.
The Falcon, which was sailing vessel.
had met with headwinds constantly since
leaving the channel, and on the fourth
week out was struck by heavy gale from
the northeast All day long the good ship
lahored with the mountainous waves, leap
ing and plunging till it seemed as though
the groaning, creaking masts must come
out of her. But she was a stanch, well
built craft and had passed safely through
many worse tempest.
With the fall of the night, the gale in
creased in violence. The sails had been
reduced to the heavy lowerNeanvas, just
sufficient to steady the vesseS. The cap
tain remained on deck, taking a position
near the ran, where he could keep an eye
on the rigging. Near him, sheltered by
the bulwarks, sat little Joby, on coil of
rope.
At first the noise and confusion, the
thunder of the water, the shrek of the
wind through the cordage, and the wild
pitching of the ship had frightened the
boy. But when, by the light of lantern
near by, he saw the captains face he felt
relieved and rather enjoyed the excite
ment of the storm.
Suddenly, just as the captain was shout
ing an order through his trumpet, vast
billow seemed to rise out of the gloom and
bear down upon the ship. 1t struck the
vessels side with an awful roar, throw
ing tons of water on the deck. Before he
could save himself the captain was lifted
from his feet and flung overheard into the
sea.
Almost at the same instant small fig
ure was seen to leap upon the rail, cling
there moment, and then leap outward
into the darkness and disappear.
''Man overboardF'
The terrible cry rang above the Fonr of
the tempest. For a moment all was panic
and confusion. Then, under the mates
command, the ship was rounded to, with
her head to the wind, and boat ordered
to be lowered.
'sNo use,'' said one of the men to the
mate, who stood by the rail near where
the captain had fallen overheard, awe
could never find them in the daytime, let
alone such night as this"
II am afraid not, answered the mate
sadly 'sPoor old mani Poor boyl Hark
What was that?"
Falcon, ahoyl' The shout came long
and strong from the darkness, not 20 yards
from where the ship lay
"The captainr' cried dozen glad voices.
"Belay your jaw there, ye lubbers!
Tail on that line and haul us aboard, or
we'll be adrift."
Line! ISL What could he mean? But
the mate had already discovered curious
thing-a light but strong rope, fastened
to ring in the bulwark and extending
outward in the darkness toward the spot
whence the captains voice proceeded 1t
was drawn tight, as if some heavy burden
were towing at the end of it.
In an instant sturdy arms were pulling
at it with will. Then stout rope was
lowered, and up it, like monkey, scram-
bled Joby, followed more slowly by Cap
tain Essex.
Then great cheer went up, drowning
the roar of the storm itself, as the crew
gathered about the dripping forms of the
captain and his little friend. A few words
served to explain what had happened.
Joby, with his eye on the captain, had
seen him carried overheard. He knew that
one end of the coil of light though strong
rope upon which he sat was secured to the
bulwark, for he had tied the knot him
self that very day. Without pausing to
think of his own danger, he took the free
end of the rope between his teeth and was
in the water nearly as soon as the captain
himself.
Though he could swim like duck, he
was borne helplessly along on the crest of
the waves almost into the arms of Cap
tain Essex, who caught him as he was
sweeping by. The captain fastened the
line about both of their bodies, and partly
bWimluAuS duu pdIely GOWcu ny tu0 sup
they had managed to keep their heads
above the water until the Falcon was hove
to.
The storm blew itself out during the
night, and the next morning dawned clear
and calm. All the forenoon Joby was OBJ
served to be very grave and silent, as if he
were bordering some important question,
Finally he presented himself before the
captain in the cabin.
''WelI, my boy, said the captain" what
can do for you?'
IA mans life is worth good deal of
money, isn't it?" asked Joby, twirling his
cap nervously as he spoke. "Not boy
like me, but grown man."
eyes, of course, my lad" replied the
captain. GA man. IS life is supposed to be
the most valuable of his possessions.
swell, then," said Joby, twirling his
cap still more nervously, 'they say saved
your life last night. / don't say it was
much, you see. Any fellow who can swim
could do the same, only happened to do
it''
eyes, you certainly did it, Joby. And
what them"
''You see-yo1 see," stammered Joby,
"I-I thought that would pay for my |