The Iola register., 1900-04-06

/
al sunrise and carefully cover the lenses
from the rays OF the sun by day.
! For three DAYS now Ray had been CON
fined TO the tower. llewatched the ves-
sells in the distance and was so expert
that he could pick ont all the regular
coasters as far as his eyes could reach.
! The excessive cold snap fortunately
was not accompanied by gale, 30 the
sea was comparatively smooth. but the
zoe was thicker than he had ever
ieen it.
II was towards the end Of the third
lay and the boy was getting restless.
de longed to get ashore to stretch
mis- EGGS" as he termed IT..
What Is the matter. father, are you
az" he asked. noticing at length that
she Keepers face was poltr than usual.
81 am afraid your f. Ler Is gong
20 have another one OF his bad pc, 5,
said bis mother, anXiously. "The doc
~ told him 10 take dose Of that
xsdicine" She added, uodding towards
bottle that stood on mantle, 1T
there were symptoms Of another at
tack, but it is all gone and there is no
prospect OF getting any more just at
present, fear"
"Well, don't know" said Ray,
thoughtfully. He walked over TO win
dow and looked out. On all sides was a
field Of ice.
sob wanted to try 10 reach shore,
but wouldn't let him." remarked the
keeper.
, 81 was willing to make the attempt
{ though" added the assistant.
"Nes, know you were, but it is toe
late now. Itis almost night
y 81 don't believe that ice is solid, and il
; anyone could get through it / could,
y said Ray suppose try it,"
"No, no; the ice is packed-too tight
ly. i wouldn't hear to it," declared
!. his father, emphatically.
e "There goes tug into the harbor
p. Look! she is making a channel" erie'
p. Ray. II can go ashore easy enough"
h The keeper turned pale and sunk int
5 chair. He pressed his hand to hi
d head as If in pain.
s. "There! you have got to have tina
L. medicine, and that's all there is abou
5. it," exclaimed Ray.
& 81 do feel as if ii would save me froI
D. fit of sickness" groaned the sufferer
ID but"
Is "Oh! never mind the butts. am &c
g. ing. Job, you mind the lamps till
get back Come and help me get tn
s. boat into the water
The keeper protested feebly, but Ra
it was SO confident that he could reac
2 shore in safety that he gave in at last.
Of The boat hung from dayits ont Of ii
nj reach of the waves, but il was easi
ne lowered into the water and Ray, q
To- scendiug ,hc iron ladder cautiously, j
al himself into the light craft. Wthol
k much difficulty he forced his wa
rs through the cakes Of ice until the cha
ln mel was reached. and then, following
.ir the wake OF the tug, succeeded in reac
ing the wharf.
Is 1t was hard pull aud the boy w
of tired. when he made the boat fast, b
ut he would have time TO rest while &c
IT. ting the medicine and he had no dou
to that the return trip could be ma,
cf without any more difficulty than
as mad experienced in coming ashore.
n But IN this he was mistaken, as
pr. soon discovered.
It When Ray left the lighthouse t
Ial tide was at its full and the ice nca
Sc. ly stationary. But now the tide HI
,al turned and was running out. The N
ty tun Of the water had started t
in. great cakes, and the result was tn
re the channel was entirely obliter'atC
,er The boy was not pulled a quarter
re q mile before the ice began to set
tn in all about him, requiring all J
es strength to move it. This work W
as fatiguing, and he was wet with pc
DIV spiration, in spite OF the cold air,
on fore he realized it.
ire To add to the difficulties night W
coming on rapidly, and suddenly I
ms great star of light flashed forth frc
we the granite tower, warning all vess,
ere of the dangerous reef. He stopped
TO lcok at it for a minute, then pick
ssh up the oars again.
ON "Come, this won't do at ALL"
,d said to himself 81 must do bett
nd than this, or l shall not get hon
nor tonight"
at Ahead of him was little space
BILE what appeared to be clear water.
nd bent TO the oars, and, with a vigoro
his tug, sent the boat spinning ahead
'ns another minute he was sprawLng
he the bottom. The bow had struck
ms piece OF ice with terrible force, and
ses sharp point had pierced n hole throu
M which thewater was beginning to bI
bt. Bile. With his handkerchief he pi
tally stopped the leak, but not {
,ed tirely, and then tried 60 row on aga
.bo But this time The boat utterly refus
IN TO move It was fast in the ice.
,,,t about him were the ice cakes, driy
oc- together by the action of the til
= a and there was nowhere loophole
,r- escape. For the first time he reali2
M, his position and sunk back in the bC