The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-15

81
THU
cut adrift the life preseryer, which was
always Aeady for use, and at the same
time the captain rushed on deck and
ordered the ship hove to.
Then Tom tore off his coatand shoes
and leaped over the rail before the cap
tain could detain him.
Like most Cape Cod boys, he had
learned to swim atan early age, and q
pond In Merrivale had enabled him to
indulge in the exercise in late years, SO
that when he came to the surface he
felt no anxiety for himself, although
the'vessel was some distance away.
He struck out with all his might in
the direction Of the vessels wake, and
soon caught glimpse Of white face
ahead rising and falling on the waves
Keep up till reach youl" he shout
ed to encourage Avery, who was fully
so yards away.
There was no reply, and when Tom
| was within dozen strokes Of his friend
the latter suddenly threw up his arms
and began to sink.
| Tom reached the spot just in time to
grasp his hair and drag him to the sur
face, where he lay utterly unconscious
and unable to assist himself. Tom sup
ported him as best he could, but his
clothes soon began to drag him down,
and his limbs felt like lead. He was
nearly spent when something white
swept before his eyes on the top of q
sea, and he saw that it was the life
buoy. With last effort he struck out
and succeeded in grasping it. l..
In the meantime the Seabird hadbeen
brought to the wind and boat lowered
with all possible speed, but it is slow
operation at best, and the craft was q
half mile distant before the boat struck
the water with Capt. Coffin in her stern.
Although the buoy supported Tom
easily, he found it no easy task to keep
the unconscious mans head above the
surface, and when the boat reached
them he was pulled from the water in
state of utter exhaustion.
Avery showed no signs Of life, and
when the vessel was reached he was
taken to his berth, where the old cap
tain gradually resuscitated him, Tom
having changed his clothes in the mean
time and regained the use of his limbs.
When he reached the stateroom he
was shocked at his friends face. There
was look there which comes but once
to humanity, and which froze the words
on his tongue. -
"Scott, sit down." said the old miner.
II can see by your face what you read
dying man, Scott. Something has
given out inside and my time is up.
Don't interrupt me, please. l must tell
you something while have time"
He paused an instant to press his
hand to his side, saying:
'When that hitme something snapped
in here. I think rib is sticking into
my lungs. Take off my belt, Scott,
Hurry up! Don't stop to ask questions
now!"
Tom obeyed, and with trembling
fingers the dying man drew forth q
folded bit Of paper, whispering:
cts yours, and it means fortune
to you! Get me pen and paper and
then write what tell you'll"
His request was soon complied with
and with faint voice he dictated:
II, John Avery, being about to die,
give my share in the gold mine discov.
cred by my partner, Dick Reed, to the
bearer, Thomas Scott, who has risked
his life for mine twice."
When this unique will was on paper
he added:
"Give me the pen. There needn't be
any witnesses. Dick Reed knows my fist
and he's as square as die. This paper il
map to tell me how to reach the mine
It's secret trail leads to it, and only
three men know of it. You will be rich
if you live to reach it.. Trust no one
but 60 by yourself. Take the money in
my belt, too, and use it as you please
You may find my brother Bill at the
mine. He was sent for, too. You'll gel
my share" .
A violent fit of coughing interrupted
him, and before it ended the handker