The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-07-31

us?" asked Daisy, in some alarm, as q
stout arm placed her safely in the stern
of the lifeboat.
Right around Sandy Point-you a
just see it over wonderland up the river
to Sunside."
Exactly where we want to 60" said
Clinton, as he slid down a rope into
the bow.
You might unlock those blocks"
began the mate, as he tent the men
away in answer 10 a call from the cap
tain, and catch this rope The boat
will ride easier, and
But another loud summons from the
captain called the officer forward, and
the children were left alone.
Here, Daisy, please hold this rope
a minute, while 1 unlock these pull
legs, as the man told me to do; or you
might tie it to that ring"
So saying, Clinton passed the line
the mate had thrown him to his sister.
and proceeded to cast off the hosting
gear.
He had barely completed his task
when Daisy startled him By giving q
spring that very nearly sent him over
board, and crying out:
"Oh, Clint, the ropes gone!"
But, Daisy, why did you let go OF
it?"
Il was just trying to tie it as you
said, and it slipped right out of my
hands. And, oh, see how fast we're
drifting away! Can't you catch hold
of something's"
And the little girl almost held her
breath while Clinton leaned as far over
as he dared and tried to clutch at the
! rudder chains.
But Just then the lifeboat sank down
between two waves, and when it came
up again there was Il space of several
feet between it and the May Queen, for
the anchor had caught hold of the bot
tom ct last. and the first of the flood
tide swept the smaller boat swiftly
away.
The children at once began to shout
for help at the top of their voices, but
as the steamboat had now begun to
blow off steam, and as most of the pas
sengers were on the forward deck,
watching a vessel that had just been
sighted, they were neither heard O
seen.
Cant you row back, Clint?" asked
Daisy; then, as the boat rose high On a
wave, only to sink into thegreen depths
again, she added: "Oh, no, don't try;
but see if we can't get to the lGnd!"
Clinton, meanwhile, was Juggling at
the oars, which were several sizes too
large for him; besides, he had only
rowed once or twice in his life before.
So when he found hat the wind had
changed, and was nov blowing shore
ward, he decided hat it was best to
take Daisy's advice.
"See if you can steer against my
rowing" he suggested, when he had
finally succeeded in pushing one of the
huge oars into its place. Just keep
the rudder turned hat way-so. 1t
didn't look to be very far to the mouth
OF the river when the man pointed it
out, and, if we can only get into the
tide there, it'll carry US right up to
Sunside. 1 used to watch it come rush
Ing in last summer"
Thus, with the help of wind and tide
and the one oar, the lifeboat was
brought nearer and nearer to the strip
of beach, until, finally, the children
could hear the booming of the breakers.
What is that?" inquired Daisy, as
the dull o 4 grew ever louder.
Clinton told her, and both awoke to
the fact that they would be much safer
drifting far u at set, for if the boat
could not be kept in her present course,
in spite of the wind. until she had drift
ed past Sandy Point and around into
the quiet waters of the river, she would
certainly be carried into the topping
surf and capsized.
Clinton, all exhausted as he was
worked away with his heavy oar harder
than ever; but, nevertheless, the space
between the lifeboat and the water line
of breakers narrowed terribly fast
while the distance to Sandy Point
seemed to stretch out like elastic.
Which would be covered first?
"Oh, let me help. Clint" cried Daisr,
as she noticed that her brother dared
not stop even to wipe away the great
drops of perspiration that were trick
ling down his face.
NO, you can't do any more than you
are doing by keeping tight hold of the
rudder."
Daisy. however, determined to do all
she could, began to give out encourage
ing reports OF their progress toward the
point, resolving not to notice how close
they also were to the shore.
Only a little bit mere, Clint, and
then you can rest all the way to Sum-
side, can't you?"
Her brother nodded, with his lips
closed. He felt that all his breath
must be saved for the little bit"
What il he should not be able to hold
out? How long would it be before
some great curling wave
We've passed it," suddenly an
nounced Daisy.
And, after a few more strokes for
good measure, Clinton drew in his oar,
and, as the incoming tide swept the life
boat safely into the peaceful river, he
stretched himself out on the seat, quite
limp from the exciting contest, in
which he had been the victor.