Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-02-01

The keeper protested 1eeDly, out nay
was so confident that he could reach
shore in safety that he gave in at last.
The boat hung from davits out Of the
reach of the waves, but it was easily
lowered into the water and Ray, de-
scending the iron ladder cautiously, let
himself into the light craft. Without
much difficulty he forced his way
through the cakes of ice until the chan
mel was reached, and then, following in
the wake of the tug, succeeded in reach
ing the wharf.
1t was a hard pull and the boy was
tired, when he made the boat fast, but
he would have time to rest while get
ting the medicine, and he had no doubt
that the return trip could be made
without any more difficulty than he
had experienced in coming ashore.
But in this he was mistaken, as he
soon discovered.
When Ray left the lighthouse the
tide was at its full and the ice near
" stationary. But now the tide hac
turned and was running out. The mo-
ton of the water had started the
great cakes, and the result was that
the channel was entirely oblitersted.
The boy was not pulled a quarter OF
G. mile before the ice began to settle
in all about him, requiring all his
strength to move it. This work was
fatiguing, and he was wet with per.
spration, in spite of the cold air, be-
fore be realized it.
To add to the difficulties night was
coming on rapidly, and suddenly the
great star of light flashed forth from
the granite tower, warning all vessels
of the dangerous reef. He stopped to
look at it for a minute, then picked
up the oars again.
Come, this won't do at ALL" he
said to himself. 81 must do better
than this, or 1 shall not get home
tonight"
Ahead of him was a little space OF
what appeared to be clear water. lie
bent to the oars, and, with a vigorous
tug, sent the boat spinning ahead. In
another minute he was sprawing in
the bottom. The bow had struck a
piece of ice with terrible force, and
sharp point had pierced hole through
whichthew water was beginning to bub'
BILE. With his handkerchief he par
tally stopped the leak, but not en-
tirely, and then tried to row on again
But this time the boat utterly refused
to move. 1t was fast in the ice. All
about him were the ice cakes, driven
together by the action of the tide
and there was nowhere a loophole OF
escape. For the first time he realized
his position and sunk back in the boat
in despair.
Half a mile away, as near as ht
could Judge, stood the lighthouse. He
lifted his voice and shouted until he
was hoarse. Then the utter useless
ness of it was apparent, for even if his
father should hear him he could dc
nothing. There was no other boat
and a rescue from that quarter was
out of the question.
what shall do?' The words thai
his thoughts had formed escaped in
voluntarily from his lips, and they al
most startled him, so lonesome die
they seem away out there, amid the
floating ice. He was gradually drift
ing out to sea, and before long woulc
be on the broad sound. But there
was no help for him, and he founc
himself wondering what the enc
would be-.
Up in the great tower he knew thai
his father was at that moment fret
ting about him. He gazed at the
light in silence, and tried to picture
the loved ones and what they were do
ing. Then he found himself SILVER
ing. Oh! how cold he was. Overhead
ed by his exercise, the freezing wealth
er chilled him to the bones. The wa.
ter, too, was washing about the bot
tom of the boat, and he felt around
in the darkness for a tin dipper IL
bail. How icy every drop was! Hi!
fingers felt as if they must turn into
icicles, so numb were they.
Suddenly the fog bell in the tower
.pealed out. What could it mean? Wa
it for him? He smiled grimly, fol
what good could it possibly do? Still
1T cheered him, for it showed that h,
was not forgotten.
Hark! There was a steamer ou'
there in the sound. Ray gave little
cry of joy. Why had he not though
of ito She was bound INTO the har
Dor. Yes, it was a steamer, for h,
could hear the sound of her paddle
wheels. Presently they stopped. Wa
her captain trying to make out thu
signal from the lighthouse? If so, HI
did not succeed, for in minute oil
two she proceeded on her way. Sh'
rounded the reef and headed into The
bay. Then it was that Ray discovered
that he was far out of the channel,
for the steamer was giving him
wide berth. He waited until she got
nearly abreast, and then, summoning
all his strength, shouted for help
Again and again he lifted his voice
but all in vain. No one heard him, and
half fainting from exhaustion and
despair he sunk down into the boat
The water washing over his feet
brought him to his senses. twas ter
ribly cold and he was chilled through
and through. His feet were nearly
frozen and his hands were almost with
out feeling. He tried to stagger up, but
could hardly stand. He looked about
him, and with a cry of surprise and JOY
found the lighthouse close to him. Al
most over his head cleaned its light
He had been carried towards it by the
current while half unconscious.
Once more he lifted cry for help
and this time CHEEKY voice came down
from aloft:
"Aye, aye, hear you'll"
It was the assistant keeper.
ooh, Job, is that your" cried Ray.
"Aye, aye, boy. Are you all right|
"All right; but hurry, Job, for I'm
drifting out to sea-"