The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-01-25


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 fourd himself shiver-
ir~. 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 q tin dipper TO
bail. How icy every drop was His
fingers felt as il they must turn into
icicles, so numb were they.
Suddenly the fog bell in the tower
pealed out. What could it mean? Was
| it for him? He smiled grimly, for
what good could it possibly do? Still
was not forgotten.
Hark! There was steamer out
there in the sound. Ray gave little
cry of joy. Why had he not thought
Of it? She was bound into the har-
Dor. Yes, it was 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 a minute or
two she proceeded on her way. She
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 a
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. 1t was 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 10 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 it by the
current while half unconscious.
Once more he lifted cry for help.
and this time a CHEEKY voice came down
from aloft:
AYE, aye, ! hear you."
1t was the assistant keeper.
"Oh, Job, is that you?" cried Ray.
AYE, aye, boy. Are you all right 2"
"All right; but hurry, Job, for I'm
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
not wait for assistance, for before Job
could get to the foot of the ladder he
would be beyond reach. He looked
about him for help.
AT the very foot of the tower the re-
ceding tide had left bit of the jagged
reef exposed. If he could grasp that
! he would be safe. But between him and
it were the floating cakes of ice. Could
! he reach it?
| Grasping the painter of the boat in
his left hand he stood upon the thwart
of the life boat and sprang boldly for
ward. The ice gave way under him
| and he fell, the drifting cakes parting
and thrusting him under But his fin
/ gers had just reached the rock. and,
numbed with cold though they were.
clutched the jagged stone. But It was
only for an instant. Then a huge cake
struck him on the back of the head, and
all BECAME dark.
| I'm h.,
| lying in his own bed in the lighthouse
and wondering how he got there His
mother was bending over him and smil-
ing through her tears.
There, you mustn't talk, my boy"
his father said as he began to ask ques-
| tions. "You have had terrible time of
! It, and 1t will be great wonder if you
get over this without a serious illness.
Try to GO to sleep and don't bother
yourself tonight"
"Nonsense!" replied Ray. "You
don't think mind little ducking like
that. do YOU? Tell me how happened
to be fished out
"Job did it. He caught you just as
YOU were going under. He saved your
life.'
Ray was silent for a moment, and
then he said, solemnly: 81 never want
another adventure like that as long as
| live. But | saved the medicine" he
| added with smile. II told you could
get it, and l kept my word. Golden
Days.