The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-09-05


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:
"There, there, Joby, keep your money,
my boy. You are an honest little fell
low after all. You shall stay with me
on the Falcon, and we will make man
of you. How will that suit you?"
Joby was delighted, of course. The
sailors, who are wonderfully handy at
such things, devised suit of clothing
for this small body. He speedily be-
came great favorite with the crew of
the Falcon, proving 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 everybody on board knew what
Joby thought of the captain.
The Falcon, which was sailing YES
sci, had met with head winds constantly
since leaving the channel, and on the
fourth week out was struck by heavy
gale from the northwest. All day long
the good ship labored with The noun
famous waves, leaping and plunging till
it seemed as though the grooming,
creaking masts must come out of her.
But che was staunch, well-built craft,
and had passed safely through many
worse tempest. With the fall of the
night, the gale increased in velocity.
The sails had been reduced to the heavy
lower canvas, Just sufficient to steady
the vessel. The captain remained on
deck, taking a position near the rail,
| ,I,or I,oo GOULD lyno,N ~.
cling. Near him, sheltered by the bull
warks, 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 a
lantern near by, he saw the captains
face, The felt relieved, and rather en-
ioyed the excitement of the storm.
Suddenly, just as the captain was shout
ing an order through his trumpet, a
vast billow seemed to rise out of the
gloom and bear down upon the ship.
1t struck the vessels side with an
awful roar, throwing tons of water on
the deck. Before he could save him
self the captain was lifted from his feet
and flung overheard into the sea. AL
most at the same moment small figure
was seen to lean upon the rail, cling
there a moment, and then leap outward
into the darkness and disappear.
a." Man overheard"
The terrible cry rang above the roar
of the tempest. For 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.
"No use," said one of the men to the
mate, who stood by the rail, where the
captain had fallen overheard. eve
could never find them in the daytime,
let alone such night as this"
~ am afraid not" answered the
mate, sadly. "Poor old mani Poor
boy Hark! What was that?"
Falcon, ahoy!" The shout came
long and strong from the darkness not
twenty yards from where the ship lay.
The captain!" cried dozen glad
voices.
Delay your jaw there, We 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 a
curious thing-a light but strong rope
fastened to ring in the bulwark, and
extending outward into 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, scrambled Joby, fol-
lowed more slowly by Captain 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 over
board. He knew that one end of the
coil of light but strong rope upon which
he sat was secured to the bulwark, for
he had tied the knot himself 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 a
duck, he was borne helplessly along on
the crest of the waves almost into the
dlluo VI Ndplaih i1ootA, WIZ CduSu
him as he was sweeping by. The cap.
, tain fastened the line about both Of
their bodies; and, partly swimming
partly towed by the ship, they manage
to keep their heads above the water
l until the Falcon was hove to.
The storm blew itself out during the
night, and the next morning dawneC
clear and calm. All the forenoon Joby
l was observed to be very calm and 81
/ lent, as if he were bordering some very
/, important question. Finally he pre-
T sented himself before the captain in tn,
g, cabin.
"Well, my boy" said the captain
E "what can do for your"
"a mans life is worth good dea
t of money, isn't it?" asked Joby, twirl
d ing his cap nervously, as he spoke
Y :" Not boy like me, but grown man.
eyes, of course, my lad" replied tn
y captain.
b "Well, them" said Joby, twirling hi
u cap still more nervously, "they say
!, saved your life last night. l don't sa
it was much, you see. ANY fellow VIII