Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-19

Fright around Sandy Point-you can
Just see it over wonderland up the river
to Sunside."
Exactly where we want to CO. said
Clinton, as he slid down a rope into
I the bow.
"You might unlock those blocks"
began the mate, as he sent the men
away in answer 10 call from the cap
tain, land 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
minute, while | unlock these pull
leys, 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
spring that very nearly sent him over
board, and crying out:
ooh, Clint, the ropes gone!"
but, Daisy, why did you let go Of
it?"
~ was just trying to tie it as you
sud, 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 1t came
up again there was space of several
feet between it and the May Queen, for
the anchor had caught hold Of the bot
tom at last, and the first of the food
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 vessel that had just been
sighted, they were neither heard nor
seen.
Cant you row back Clint?' asked
Daisy; then, as the boat rose high on q
wave, only to sink into the green depthA
again, she added "Oh, no, don't try;
but see II we can't get to the landl"
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 TINT the wind had
changed, and was now blowing Shore
ward, he decided that it was best to
take Dalsy'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 that 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
Sunsde. used to watch it come rush-
Ing In last summer"
Thus, with the help Of wind and tide
and the one oar, the lifeb0at 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, a.
the dull roar grew ever louder.
Clinton told her, and both awoke to
the fact that they would be much safer
drifting far out at set, for II the boat
could not be kept in hcrpresent 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 toppling
surf and capsizcd.
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 Daisy,
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.
mo, 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 little bit more, Clint, and
then you can rest all the way to Sum
side, can't your"
Her brother nodded, with his lips
closed. lie 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
| "Wp'ye nasspd If" suddenly an