Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-07-31

and how that Con had struck Phil a
towards blow with his canaan; after
that Phil and his men had won the
victory.
20, Con Con, curse is upon you for
sure" she cried out, and covered her
face with her hands.
Bit Phil Martin did not die, as they
had. feared, but grew we'll again and
SQUAD as he had been, save that scar
on his brow showed where the venge-
full blow had fallen.
Nbw it happened that one evening
while the fishermen were spreading
their nets on the beach, a storm gath
cred on the sea, and suddenly and with
great violence burst upon it, so that
the great waves were dashed into rag
ing mountains and valleys of water.
The fishermen gathered in groups upon
the shore and watched the storm, CIV
ing thanks that they themselves were
safe on land. And Eileen stood with
them and watched.
Suddenly great cry arose from
them, for scarce half a mile from the
shore a boat labored, now in the
trough of the waters, now tossed like
cork upon the crest of the waves.
From the boats that lined the beach,
in safety from the storm, one was
missing-that with the white lines rum
ming from bow to stern. No one spoke,
but all knew that Phil Martin had been
caught in the storm.
Some of the younger men were for
launching out for his rescue, for it
was trrible to them to see a man fight
CALAMITY for his life and yet move no
| hand to save him; but the older men
held them back, seeing that one death
was better than many. Now the foam,
blown in their faces, almost blinded
them, SO that for an instant they could
not see; then, when they cleared their
ing CALAMITY, but, alas! no nearer to
/ the shore.
While they stood watching, one
rushed past them down to where the
boats were moored, and, Selling one of
them, called for help to launch it. It
was Con Heffernan, and none stood in
his way, since who had a better right
to save Phil Martin than he?
Thrice the boat was driven back
again to shore by those waves, but at
last, with a mighty effort, she was
launched, and Con sat in her, holding
the oars and with smile on his lips.
Never had Con rowed as he did now,
for, though the sea and storm were
against him, he rowed for his honor
and to Danish the curse.
Then came another binding gust of
spray, and for several minutes their
eyes could see nothing. When the
mist cleared away again a groan burst
from them, for now but one boat lived
in the sea. Then suddenly the saw
Con rise and leap from his boat into
the water. A wall came from the lips
of the women, but Eileen cried out
that Con Heffernan would swim to
shore and bring Phil Martin. Hear
ing her, the women grew quiet again.
for she spoke as though she knew
what would happen.
Then again cry Of joy and wonder
broke out, for the black head of Con
and the yellow head of Phil were seen
together for moment as they rose
upon the wave.
Now the fishermen could no longer
restrain themselves, but binding rope
about them went into the water, the
brayest and strongest going first, so
that they might help to draw the
swimmer to land.
But as they came nearer it was seen
that only the dark head was erect
amid the foam and that the fair head
dropped by it's side. The line of men
in the water stretched out to help
him, but the waves carried him from
the eager grasp of the foremost. A lit
tie further down the bay were rocks
sharp and cruel, and thither they were
drifting.
None knew the bay better than
Eileen, and she saw the danger.
Swifter than a fawn she sprang down
the beach, clambering over ridge of
rock which projected into the sea and
calling to the others to follow.
Her voice seemed to reach the swim
mer, for with last effort he swan to
the rocks. The girl threw herself on
her face and stretched out her arms,
| clutching, and in her hands gripped
| the wet hair of Phil Martin. In mo-
ment willing hands aided her and
drew out of the water the lifeless form
of Martin. Then, exhausted, Con fell
back into the seething water, sport
of the waves, which dashed him upon
the rocks and bore him away again
like lifeless thing, for the strength
had gone out of him.
Eileen could bear the sight no lon
ger. Hastily casting the shoes from
her feet, before anyone was aware of
her intention, she plunged into the sea
and caught Con as he was being borne
away. Then, exerting all her strength,
she swan to the rocks again. Three
times the waves dashed her against
the rocks and carried her back ere she
could grasp the rope that was thrown
Eo11 -.