Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-01-28

Scrub Island lay III mlucnannel
directly opposite the village. 1t was
hardly more than a bar, for nothing
grew upon it but bushes. Near the
lower end was a small cabin, which
some of the village boys built for
amusement out of driftwood. Here
the castaway had probably taken
refuge, and his situation was ex-
tremely critical. In short time the
cabin would surely be carried off by
the rising flood and ice.
AS the crowd were specializing on
the unknown ones identity and dis
cussing the hopelessness of rescue
Squire Tyson, the most wealthy and
influential man of the village, came
running down the shore.
casper is on the island" he
cried, wringing his hands in agony.
Gle went over this afternoon to
shoot ducks and has not returned
home. He must have fallen asleep
in the cabin, and the ice has carried
away his boat. Will no one save my
poor boy? Are you all towards"
The unhappy man grasped a boat
that lay bottom up Oh the shore and
tried to drag it into the water.
Half dozen men caught and held
him.
"You will only throw your life
away" they cried. mo boat could
move a dozen yards in that ice. We
could save your boy if there was any
chance at ALL"
The squire suddenly realized that
this was true. He stood gazing mute
" toward the island, his face rigid
with despair. a groan Of pity burst
from the crowd as another gunshot
was heard, followed by hoarse ap-
peals for help. The tide rose higher
and higher, but now clear spots we're
visible here and there, and all at
once the river seemed to become free
of ice.
The meaning of this was plain.
The ice had formed a gorge some
where up stream. Here seemed a
chance of rescue, but no one was
willing to take advantage of it. The
crowd knew by past experience that
the gorge would likely break in a
moment or two, and then the freed
ice would sweep everything before it
like an avalanche. In vain the squire
appealed to them. In vain the poor
boy on the island cried for help.
Not a man would risk what seemed
certain death.
Suddenly a stoutly built lad of
sixteen separated from the throng,
and, running up the shore a few
yards, he hauled a light skiff into
the water. lie seized the oars that
lay in the bottom and pulled sturdi-
ly into the swirling current, heading
in diagonal course up stream.
A simultaneous cry Of amazement
burst from the crowd. Some cheered
the daring lad; others warned him
back.
"God bless himw cried the squire,
bursting into tears.
Indeed Curt Webb was the last
one any person would have believed
capable of such a brave deed. He
was an orphan and worked hard for
a livelihood in a grocery store. The
village boys, headed by Jasper Ty-
son, despised and hated him because
he had persistently refused to join
any of their mischievous depreda-
tions. He could never be induced to
fight his tormentors, though Jasper
and others dared him to combat
many time. So the boys gratified
their malice by calling him the
Coward" and by this epithet he was
known in the village.
But the coward" was surely as
tonishing his enemies now. and his
progress was watched with breath
less interest. No one expected to see
him come back alive.
Steadily the boat crept toward the
island. Curt bent to the oars with
all his might and managed to hold
his own a~ainst the fierce current
Occasionally he glanced over his
shoulder and was relieved to see no
trace of approaching ice. The shore
soon faded from view, and as he
neared the island he shouted cheer
lily to give notice of his approach
Jasper shouted back and fired a
bunch of g.ass to guide his reseuer.
The wafer had already reached
the cabin, and just as Curt swung
the boat ir.o the little eddy behind
il he hear a grinding noise up the
river and saw a white mass looming
INFO view. The gorge had broken,
and the ice was coming down with
sweeping force.
Jasper stood in the cabin door,
and when the flaming wisp of grass
showed him the face of his rescuer
he blushed with shame.
"Youp he exclaimed, and that
single word spoke volumes.
Don't stop to talk" cried Curt
hurriedly. "Jump in. Here comes
the ice, and we have slim chance
of lodging it."
Teo late. Even as Jasper. lsprang