The Forrest City times., 1899-02-03
The Rescue of Jock
BY John n. Whitson

THAT he should meet with an adven-
ture so out of the ordinary, Sid Hol-
lev could not have believed when he
stepped the mast in his little boat and
stood away for the fishing ground off
Saugus Inlet.
There was still some sea running, as
the result of the recent gale; but Sid
was used to the ocean and its ways.
Born in his present home, on one of the
small islands Of the upper New England
coast, the wash" of the waves had been
in his ears since his earliest recollec-
ton.
Must have oeen fire in the woods at
Cataract Point" was his thought, as he
took the tiller and drew in the sheet OF
the sail for the long tack that was to
take him beyond the headland. prob
ably tree burning"
There had been red light in the
southern sky at daybreak, and now he
could dimly discern a flmy trace of
smoke. There were no houses on Cata-
ract Point, or in that direction. 1t was
lonely spot, visited only in summer by
camping and fishing parties.
Sid Holly did not think of burning
ship; but when he had beat well out
through the choppy waves that were
running off the headland, he saw a big,
square-rigged vessel, rolling heavily,
with smoke rising in a thin cloud from
point forward.
Sid Immediately altered his course
and stood away for the unfortunate
ship. As he passed under her stern, he
read the name Java, Boston, Mass"
She was down almost to the main
chains, and threatened to go to the bot
tom at any moment. Sid kept well of,
not caring to be near the whirlpool that
would be produced if she should go
down with sudden lurch.
While studying the smoke, a queer
chattering noise caused him to glance
aloft, and he saw a small hairy body
crouched on the mizzen cross-trees. 1t
was a monkey, looking down at him
with what seemed to be an appealing
expression.
The monkeys pitiful condition
touched Sid's heart.
WI ittic IeilOW! he huittTcu.
They forgot you, did they, when they
abandoned the ship?"
Then he called to it:
Come, Jock! Come, Jock! Come
down, Jock!"
The monkey moved uneasily, glanced
toward the forward deck as if it saw or
heard something there of which it was
afraid, and refused to descend.
Sid shifted the tiller, to pass back
under the stern, and threw over the
Doom as the boat came around.
Come, Jock!" he urged, as he again
drew near.
The moneky uttered nervous chatters
ana moved restlessly on its perch, but
would not come down.
Sid sent the boat on round the Java,
al respectful distance. The fire was
evidently in the forecastle, but it
seemed to be making no progress. The
worst thing was the vessels sinking
condition. Sid studied her closely.
She may stay afioat half hour, or
even a half day." was his conclusion.
again he looked at the monkey. Pity
LOT 1t, combined with thought that
'nere might be something on the vessel
winch he could take in his boat to rec
0"pense him for the risk, finally over
eahe his fears. He put the boat along
sue the ships starboard, where he
.ss'ened 1t by line; then climbed to
'ne deserted deck. As the monkey ap-
peared to be on the point of descending
ue snrouds, Sid, feeling that what he
u'u ne must do quickly, climbed up to
meet it.
was in no wise afrtid of him, but
easea' rather, and grateful. 1t had
'ne pet of some sailor, he was sure,
Aaps o. the captain. Sid took it