The Iola register., 1900-04-06

tatner SDOulu near MN ne cOulu 10
nothing. There was no other boat,
and rescue from that quarter was
out of the question.
"What shall l do?" The words that
his thoughts had formed escaped in
voluntarily from his lips, and they al
most startled him, so lonesome did
they seem away out there, amid the
floating ice. lie was gradually drift
ing out to sea. and before long would
be on the broad sound. But there
was no help for him, and he found
himself wondering what the end
would be.
Up in the great tower he knew that
his father was at that moment fret
ting about him. lie gazed at the
light in silence. and tried to picture
the loved ones and what they were do
ing Then he found himself shiver-
ing Obi how cold he was. Overheat-
I'd 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 tin dipper 10
bail. How icy every drop wasl His
fingers felt as If they must turn into
lcicles. so numb were they.
Suddenly the fog bell in the tower
reacd out. What could it mean? Was
il for him? lie smiled grimly, for
what good could it possibly doP Still
il cheered him. for it showed that he
was not forgotten.
Hark! There was steamer out
here in the sound. Ray gave Il little
cry Of JOY. why had he not thought
Of it? She was bound into the har-
Dor. Yes. it was n steamer, for he
could hear the sound of her paddle
wheels. Presently they stopped. Was
her captain trying TO make out the
signal from the lighthouse? If so. he
| did not succeed for in minute or q.
two she proceeded on her way. She
rounded the reef and headed into the
bav. Then it was that Ray discovered
| that he was far out of the channel,
for the steamer was giving him a
wide berth. lie 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. 1t was ter
riby cold and he was chilled through
and through. His feet were nearly
frozen and his hands were almost with
out feeling. lie tried to stagger up, but
could hardly stand. He looked about
him, and with cry of surprise and JOY
found the lighthouse close to him. Al
most over his head cleaned its light.
He had been carried towards 1t by the
current while half unconscious.
Once more he lifted a cry for help,
and this time n CHEEKY voice came down
} from aloft:
5 "Aye, aye, hear you'll"
II was the assistant keeper.
I "Oh, Job, is that you?" cried Ray.
I "Aye, aye, boy. Are you all right2"
AN right; but hurry, job, for I'm
n drifting out to sea-"
:, The boat had struck an eddy which
was rapidly hurrying it around the
= point Ray quickly saw the new dan
| ger. What was to be done? He dared
c not wait for assistance, for before Job
could get to the foot Of the ladder he
= would be beyond reach. lie looked
Il abou, him for helm.
At the very foot Of the tower the re.
% ccdirp tide had left bit of the Jagged
81 reef exrosed. II he could grasp that
p. he vould he safe Hut between him and
D. /, were ,lc Hoa,iuc cakes Of ice. Could
# he reach f.?
AZ Graspirq the painter Of the boat il
i- his 'cft hand hc stood upon the thwar
n Of the life boat and spraug boldly for
b. ward. The ice guyc way under hin
and he fen the drifting cakes par'iu'
IS and thrus,iug him under. But his fin
#, gers had inst reached the rock. and
t. numbcd with cold though they were
,t clutrhpd the iurucd stone. Put II wa