Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-31


creased in violence. The sails had
been reduced TO the heavy lower can
vas, Just sufficient 10 steady the ves-
sci. The captain remained on deck,
taking position near the rail, whero
he could keep an eye on the rigging.
Near him, sheltered by the bulwarks,
sat little Joby on coil Of rope.
Suddenly, just as the captain was
shouting an order through his trumpet,
a vast billow seem ed TO rise out OF tn
gloom and bear down upon the ship.
IL struck the vess els side with an sw-
full roar, throwing 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 a small
figure was seen TO leap upon the rail,
cling there moment, and then leap
outward into the darkness and dissp-
pear.
MAN overboardr'
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 O
boat ordered TO be lowered.
mo use" said one OF the men 10 the
mate, who stood by the rail near
where the captain had fallen over
board. 1--WE could never find them In
the daytime, let alone such night as
this"
II am afraid not" answered the mate
sadly. poor old mani Poor boyl Harkl
What was that2"
Falcon, ahoyl" The shout came
long and strong from the darkness,
not twenty yards from where the ship
lay.
THE captain" cried a dozen glad !.
voices. =
"Belay your jaw there, ye lubbersl
Tail on that line and haul US aboard, or
| we'll be adrift"
Linei Usl What could he mean2 But
the mate had already discovered q cu-
rious thing-a light but strong rope,
fastened to a ring In the bulwark and
extending outward In the darkness to-
ward the spot whence the captains
voice proceeded. II was drawn tight,
as II some heavy burden were towing
at the end OF It
In an instant sturdy arms were pull
ing at II with a will Then a stout
rope was lowered, and up II like Q
monkey scrambled Joby, followed
more slowly by Capt Essex.
| Then a great cheer went up, drown
ing the roar of the storm itself, as tho
crew gathered about the dripping
forms of the captain and his little
friend few words served to ex-
plain 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 10 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 tho
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 Capt Essex, who caught him
as he was sweeping by. The captain
fastened the line about both Of their
bodies, and partly swimming and part
ly towed by the ship they had managed
to keep theiD heads above the water
until the Falcon was hove to.
The storm blew itself out during
the night, aud the next morning
dawned clear and calm. All the fore
noon Joby was observed TO be very
grave and silent. as II he were ponder
ing some important question. Finally
he presented himself before the cap.
tain in tho cabin.
"well, my boy" said the captain,
"what can do for your
"A mana life is worth a good deal Of
money, isn't it?" asked Joby, twirling
his cap nervously as he spoke. mot q
boy like me, but a grown man."
"Yes, of course, my lad" replied
the captain. "a mans life is supposed
to be the most valuable Of his possess
sions"
"Well, then" said Joby, twirling his
cap still more nervously, "they say l
saved your life last night don't say
1t was much, you see. Any fellow who
could swim could do the same thing,
only happened to do it"
eyes, you certainly did 1t, Joby. And
what then?"
You see-you see," stammered
Joby, II thought that would pay for
my passage. Then it wouldn't be steal
ing, you know"
Joby could not make out why the
captains honest eyes should suddenly
grow moist, nor why the captains
right arm almost squeezed the breath
out of his small body, nor yet why the
captains voice should be SO husky as
he said:
'Joby, my lad, while old Tom