Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-11-08


on tho very end of tho boom, and ns
she flew past mo caught hold of
her gown. The impetus of her full
upset my balance and we both fell,
but in falling managed TO grasp the
boom and there VIC swung, holding
on to life with one hand, she clasped
in my other arm
''The shock Weakened her, and, be-
side herself with terror at her uu-
known position, sho struggled medly
and stroyc to free herself from my
embrace, while scream after scream
scared tho men on dccl, until all
thought Of duty was forgotten and tho
ship was practically unnamed.
Sailors are invariably supcrsti-
tious and not few of them really
thought that the white form was u
ghost md that the screams were mine,
rs | was carried off 10 the region which
is supposed to await those who med.
die with the spirits from another
world.
at last, after perhaps n minute
which seemed TO me an eternity, L
grew desperate, and finding that l was
still voicelcss and could not rcassure
her / drew her closely to me, squeezed
her frnil form until she ceased to
struggle, then, pressing my chin to the
the hollow of her throat, completed
the work Of silcncing her. She grew
rigid, her arms fell Imply down, ono
Of them striking my face gentle blow
in its sudden descent, and the next
lightning flash showed me that she had
tainted.
with great sigh of thankfulness,
mingled with curse that had been
forced 10 thus hurt her in order to
snvo her, j began to work my way
toward the ship. God only knows
how, with my one freq hand, still with
fatigue, and growing useless with tho
long strain, until | was just giving up
in despair and thinking bitterly that
should be compelled to let go and
drop back into the scething water. [
felt rope, seized il and somehow by
the aid of that Power which watches
over us and which VIC all neglect save
III times Of distress. drew myself up
onto the boom and clung there breath
less, exhausted, but saved.
"Oneo my breath had returned I
was fully conscious of the disorder on
The deck. and with II mighty effort 1
struggled TO my knees, made my way
along tho boom, bruised and beaten
by its wild swaying, and finally faced
the demoralized crew with shaking
limbs and II heart beating to sulIoca-
tion hut with Il stern face.
at sight of zoe appearing before
them suddenly in the weird light of
tue storm they sbrunk back, and ono
dashed down TO his bunk, but hero
my voice came back to me, and I think
the strong obiurgation 1 yelled after
him did moro 10 rcnssurc the rest than
anything olse which could have done.
Turning to the mate, who stood
by spcechloss with mingled shame and
fear, delivered tho fainting girl to
him, telling him to carry her below,
rouse her mother aud return us quick
~ rs possible, and then, barcfooted
and half clothed rs L was, forgot all
else for the time being in thinking of
the ship, which WAS running mndly be-
fore the wind and taking liz more
water than she could carry safely for
long.
THE storm which was upon us was
one OF tho worst [ over saw-nnd [
have been in many wild storm-and
it was two days and IL night later be-
fore ! could find time to go below and
ask after Alice, yet through all my
anxiety and the oXhausting labor L
never forgot her and tho recollection
of her white still face, after [ had
choked her into Inconsistencies,
haunted mo the whole time
"Whcn ut last the storm abatcd and
felt free TO leave the ship to the caro-
OF the mate, who had been completely
upset by his scare and tho remorse
which followed it, I was almost light
headed, and the fancy that her small,
cold, clinging fingers were always
pulling Mt my arms, holding me back
from my duty, nearly maddened me.
"Wion l got below, her mother
told me that Alice was vcTy ill, had
been wildly delirious for twenty-four
hours after that dreadful shock, but
was, she hoped, beyond danger now,
and she even allowed mo to see her for
a moment, ms she lay in her berth,
thrown from side to side by the toss
ing ship, but still MS death herself.
"I know all about it now,' she
whispered family. and you saved my
life Mt the risk of your own"
Tho captain was silent moment,
and more than one OF us blew his nose
vigorously; even tho captain himself
was pale, and his voice tromblcd rs he
continued:
well, boys, that finishedit. Twas
weak and tired, and the strain had
been hard on me. l cried ikea baby,
and | think l stopped and kissed her
dear pale face before l went away and
her mother didn't object ut all Ten
seconds later was MS sound asleep as
| had been when that voice wakened
me two dnys-or, rather, nights-be-
fore, and when [ woke up agnin it all
seemed like n dream. But 1 had
Alicc's illness flor she was sick for
weeks and this gray patch above my
forehead TO prove its reality, aud then