The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-29
PART ~.

Before Frank Shirley had SWAN a
stones throw from the ledge, he felt
his strength failing. He knew that he
would never cover half the distance be-
tween Gull Rock and Compass Island.
II only his own life had been at stake
be would have ceased TO struggle. But
for the sake of the girl whom his folly
had led into deadly peril, he resolved
that he would never yield while his
power to move hand or foot remaint d
with him.
The time had come when he, too,
looked beyond the visible laws of title
and wxwc 10 Him who had made theIn.
Had he fought for his own life only he
might not have dared expect mercy
from the sea, which is the most cruel CT
Gods creatures. But in an effort which
he knew was good, he felt that ther,
should be a power on his side. Even
within the ordinary course Of things
1t would be possible that he should
find some bit of driftwood that would
sustain him while he struggled on.
But his hands encountered nothing
but the water, and from the top of each
succeeding wave his eager eyes saw
nothing but white crests and jet black
billows.
He lost account of time and distance.
lie knew only that the time seemed
long TO memory and short to hope.
Whether he had won a hundred yards
or half mile was a mere guess. His
course he directed vaguely by the wind
and sea, but what did ii matter? Still
he knew TINT it was best to work q
little to the right of the direct line OF
the waves, for Compass Island was not
qnitc truly to leeward of Gull Rock.
1t is wonderful how many strokes
swimmer can take after that one which
seems the very last which he iscapable.
Hhirley swamonandon, though hisaGms
had come 10 such a degree of weariness
and Gold that he had no feeling G'
where they were. The effort of each
stroke was made in his brain, and he
had no sensation of compliance with
the impulses of his own will.
Then suddenly he was conscious of
something vast and black towering be-
side him. A warning in his ears took
q definite form. He recognized the
noise Of waves dashing upon rocks. His
band touched a smooth wall. and he
has hurled along it by the sand OF the
sea. Again and again! He could get
no hold. Then a big streamer of sea-
weed entangled itself with his hand.
He closed upon it with the drowning
mans frantic clutch. II was wrenched
from the rock. The reaction threw him
upon his side. A wave rolled him over
and over, and he sank. believing in his
soul that he would rise no more. In-
terminable moments passed. Then he
felt his head shoot up into the air. The
waves no longer broke around him.
swimming was easy there. He took a
great stroke, and another. He saw in
front of him faint white crescent, and
he knew what il was. A moment later
he was sprawling ON a smooth sand
beach. out of the waves and sheltered
from the wind.
Shirley needed only moment of rest.
The Joy of triumph revived him. He
had accomplished the impossible. He
Whispered 10 the beach on which he las
--hurriedly, over and over again-"I
have done it'll / have done it," In his
excited fancy the long struggle with the
waves was condensed into q single eff
fort. He did not doubt that there was
ample time to return and save his
friends.
Springsng to his feet, he looked eager
IL around. The little sand beach lay
In niche between steep rocks fifty feet
or more In height. At the head of the
beach there was crumbling wall of
rock which Shirley presently scaled.
Struggling spruce trees fringed the low
cliff, and beyond them the land seemed
70 slope gently downward.
Though Shirley did not recognize the
spot he Judged that II must be about
midway Of the north shore of Compass
Island. The two houses on the island
stood close together at the head Of o
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