The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-12


Down in the bottom!" shouted Mary
"Oh Mary, Mary!" cried Ruth, drop
ping the oar
Don't lose that oarl-Now sit down; fiat
down!-sol All we kin do now Is to keep
from gettn' broadside TO; that 'ud be like
TO swamp us"
In a moment the sky changed to SAT-
from, and the air was full of flying spray.
There was no hope left of making the
point; and the ocean lay beyond II was
fortunate that Mary had decided to stick
to the heavy dory. Even over its high
bow the tops of the waves dashed now
and then, and every moment a great one
threatened 10 overwhelm It,
"Gertie." called Mary, "hsh the bailer
from under the starn-seat. That's it. Now
set TO work with It,"
Gertrude obeyed, but soon laid the buck
ct down. "Oh, I'm so sick!' she falter-
ed.
I'm take it, Gerte," said Ruth. courag-
eously. Guess I'm too frightened to
feel sick"
Gertrude sank down In the boat, and
Ruth undertook the ballug.
Mary had been out in this same dory
with her father when the wind had blown
"a stiff breeze" but never In such a gale
as this. She knew quite well how TO man
age the cranky boat. and she had often
nSdfQ neF IdlnST say mar warn no
boat safer" but she realized that any
boat was in peril in such a storm. She
set her teeth hard, however, determined
that the others should not see she was
alarmed.
"Oh, Mary" moaned Gertrude, will We
ever get back?'
Course" answered Mary. 1--WE seed it
blow twenty times harder" She did not
think 1t necessary to add that she had not
at the time, been on the water. Now,
she continued, ITS all kin do to man
age the boat, so don't ask no more ques-
tons Jest play I'm your captain, and
you're to keep still till / speak"
IAN right, captain" said Ruth, whose
fears were somewhat allayed by Mary's
tone of playfulness.
The wind blew fiercely for awhile, and
then it began to rain; just a few great
swlft-thrown drops at first and then a
pelting deluge.
Ruth began TO sob convulsivefy; but
Mary bent on her task, with renewed hope
stop that Ruth" she shouted. This
rains the best thing as could happen; itll
lay the sea, an itll lay the wind" But
neither Ruth nor Gertrude heard, for wind
and rain and warning waves were singing
in deafening chorus.
Marys words proved prophetic. Soon
the water ceased dashing over the bows;
and presently Mary rested and let the boat
drift. Though the rain Leaf upon them pitt
lessly, Mary did not mind 1t; but the two
others were thoroughly chilled
Ruth, shivering from fright and cold
crept to her sister and, holding her close
sobbed: "Oh, Gertie, Gertie, Mary has CIV
en- up"
But Mary was far from giving up. Real
izing that immediate danger was past for
the time she succumbed 10 exhaustion. The
refreshing rain soon reused her and she
leaned over and shook Ruth vigorously
Ruth, Ruth" she cried, this viii never
dor'
I'm so cold" sobbed Ruth.
Get up, then, and bail"
"I-Tm scared!'
There's nuthin' now to scare about
we're as safe this minute as we'd be
ashore"
Ruth did not mark the saving phrase
but with a faith in Mary stronger than
her fears, resumed the bailing with vigor
Mary, meanwhile, took off her own wet
but warm Jacket and wrapped II tenderly
about Gertrude. You've jest got to git
up md row, Gertie," she said; "you must
for Ruth md me 'Tain't dangerous now
if someun keeps rowin'; md I'm jest tuck
cred" This last was true, for she felt a
curious numbness creeping over her
Keep her headin the waves" she said
drowsily; and as Gertrude weakly took
up the oars, Mary sank down exhausted
It seemed to Mary that but few min
utes passed-though Ruth declared 1t was
"hours and hours" before Gertrude
reused her.
Look, Mary" she said. What is
that?"
Mary rubbed her eyes and peered
through the mist. Then she sprang up,
reaching for the spare oar "Om with
that Jacket, Gertie," she cried; "no-gimme
that white skirt o. yourn." There was a
ring in her voice that forbade questions
With nervous haste, Gertrude took off
her dainty petticoat and Mary promptly
rugged IL. Now" she commanded, swap
piaces-'nd wave this here flag of ourn all
you're wuth!
The exchange OF places made, Mary des-
perately bent 10 the oars. There was a
dark spot across the water. which seemed
70 Gertrude but patch of blacker cloud
possessed of curious motion; but Mary
knew 1t for what it was. Soon the others
recognized It, too; for they cried together,
"A schooner"
A man ran the length of the vessels
deck; then a second man appeared; and
as Mary, exerting her last bit OF strength,
drove the dory within reach, rope was
thrown 90 her, which she caught and fast
ened to the painter.
The man drew the dory alongside, and
lifted out the children. God bless US
my Nary cried one of them.
And Mary, her trembling arms tight
around his neck, convulsively sobbed, ION,
daddyw
The children were put to bed in hunks,
| and dosed with hot tea There was n
| toy-lilIe stove In the cabin-a "bogie" John