The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13

| 1t might have been the fierce rush of
spray that sent the keeper Keeling against
the light, so that one of the men sprang
forward to catch him; then came a shout
from the second boat and Capt. Sam leap
ed upon the boulder again, waving his Ian
tern high above the sea that fell in tu-
multuous waves about him, beating the
two men back against the light. There
they chung a moment, then followed it's
retreating foam as far down as they dared
standing by to grasp the other boat that
now appeared. A cheer, choked and
beaten by the wind, was given, as on the
crest of wild runaway billow the second
dory came seething. careening on,
From where the men chung, holding on
for their lives. they saw the dory appar-
emily coming over their heads, and ut
tered a cry of warning one TO the other
On ii swept through the little band, cut
ting them down, striking the lighthouse
and splintering In pieces as the rowers
leaped into the foam, and were seized by
their comrades. who fought the fierce I'M
dertow with desperation, and dragged
them literally from the very arms of the
sea, while the wreck of the dory was
swept back into the boiling pool.
Up against the wind rose the faint cheer
again, the cheer of half-drowned men.
the spray going high above the lantern
that marked the landing-pIace. Another
cheer, and the oars of the remaining boat
caught the crest of a mighty wave, and
as 1t shot in, the little band of rescuers
with Capt. Sam at their head. stood, waist
deep. ready to grasp 1t. In 1t swept, and
in the laundering crash and flying scud
the men leaped forward and held Il
against the fierce back wash of the wa
tiers that like a living thing. seemed 10
try TO wrest 1t from them. A long strug-
gle against the vicious undertow that
forced them. step by step, down the rocks
then by heroic effort they dragged the
dory up TO the very door OF the light.
and. watching their chance. fled in the
little doorway. The half-drowned men
had hardly pushed into the room when
a terrific sea struck the light, sending a
big boulder against the door. crushing II
in like an egg-sheil, and filling the room
with a volume of water that drove the
inmates up the iron stairway. Another
sea came kissing on. The little group
heard its ominous roar before IL touched
the rock, and felt tina the light might not
stand; then it struck the tower and went
surging over the island sweeping It from
end to end. so high that the men and
trembling women on the stair heard It
high above their heards.
Where is Capt. Sam7" cried Miss La
pham suddenly. after the sea had swept
on. For the first time II was noticed that
the keeper Of the light was not among
them: and then the last man in, the
young man who had hired Nate Sails
bury 20 bring him 10 the light, said that
some one had STEPPED back 20 allow him
10 go ahead; had. in fact. helped him IN
Just as the big sea struck the rock. and
he had supposed that he had followed
him.
Down the stairs the men rushed. throw
ing themselves into the water that filed
the room. and struggling for the door
One man reached II and saw In the glare
Of the light that the island was complete
" under water. surgtng rill-race Of /
irresistible power
All night The little group chung 10 the 4
stairs expecting tie light 10 go at sny
and when morning came, and i
the sea went down. they found the island 4
Invested even Of its boulders. frayed life 4
Inc alone telling The story OF the success
sion OF tlde-wavss that had swept the I
edge. Il