Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-23

waves III was nallllcSlIy lInpoSslDIc
to approach upon the weather side
without stavng the boat, so ONeill
cautiously rounded the stern Of the
| wreck and briefly considered the situa-
ton.
He did not dare bring the boat near
enough to enable him to leap upon the
| deck through some of the great gaping
opcnings i'm the sides made by the ire
mcndous gatherings of the massive
spars, and he finally concluded that the
only practicable access to the Maid
stone was by means of some of the
gcnring trailing over the side and
writing about, snakelike. in the water.
Intr,lsting the tiller of the whaleboat
TO old Price, the veteran gunner, he di-
rcctod that it be brought alongside as
close as consistent with safety, and at
exactly the right moment as they rose
upon the crest of n wave. he sprang out
into the water and clutched desperate
ly ut "A rope hanging over the side of
| the wreck.
The men swung the boat away from
the ship instantly, and he found him
self clnging to Il small rope wildly toss
ing about in the tumultuous sea. He
was da shed to and fro like cork, the
waves repeatedly broke over his head,
the life was almost buffeted ont of him,
but he held on like grim death. Fortu-
natcly the other end of the rope was
fast inboard.
With careful skill and outstanding
his strength as much as possible he
pulled himself along the rope through
the water until he drew near the side
of the shin. Then, though the opera
ton was hazardous in the extreme, as
he saw no other method. he began to
pull himself up hand over hand on the
rope along the side. In his already cX-
haustcd state and with the added
weight of his wet, sodden clothing the
effort was almost beyond his strength
lie endcavorcd by thrusting with his
foot to keep himself from being beaten
against the side by the waves, but
without success, for when he had hard
ly reached the rail an unusually large
breaker struck him fairly in the back
and dashed his head against piece
Jagged timber, cutting great cash in
his forehead. Blood filled his eyes; his
head swan; sick, faint feeling filled
his breast; he hcsitated and nearly lost
his grasp of the rope. The men in the
tossing boat little distance away held
their breath m terrified apprehension;
but, summoning all his resolution to his
aid he made a last desperate effort,
breasted the rail and fell fainting
prone upon the deck of the ship.
4 few moments in the cold water
which was flooding over it revived him
his feet and looked about him in Devil
derment. The change from the tossing
boat to the motionless rigidity of the
viSe-held wreck was startling. There
was not a sign of life on the ship. She
was breaking up fast. Rails were stove
in, boats We're gone three Jagged
stumps showed where the masts had
been. and only the fact that she had
been driven SO high on the reefs pre-
vented her from laundering at once.
There was dead body jammed under
the starboard fife rail forward but no
other sign Of humanity. In front of
him was hatchway giving entrance
to small cuddy, or cabin, the roof of
which rose few feet above the level
of the deck.
AS he stood there striving to recover
himself in a brief hull in the storm he
thought he heard a faint voice. 1t
seemed to come from beneath him. He
at once turned and, with uncertain
steps, descended the hatchway. Reach
ing the deck below. he stood in the way
moment. brushing the blood from his
eyes. As he gradually made out the de-
tails of the cabin, dimly illuminated by
a skylght above. he saw woman on
her knees praying. She had her face
buried in her hands and did not see
him until he spoke to apprlSe her of his
presence.
"Nladam"- he began thickly.
The woman raised her head with
startled quickness and gave him one
terrified glance. The glass had told
young as WELL scarcely more than a
girl apparently. Even the dim gray
light could not hide those things. As
for him. lie was an awful looking spec
tacle-wet, hatlcsS, his clothing torn. a
great red wound in his forehead in
tcnsifying his pallor. He had heavy
pistol in his belt and "A cutlass swing
ipg at his side.
She stared ut him in frightened 81
lence and finally rose To her feet
dcathly pale and apparently appalled,
lie saw that she was little above the
medium height At the same moment
from an obscure corner there rang out
shrek after shrek, and another won
. the deck at his feet and fairly groveled
before him.
, "Oh, sir, for Gods sake, sir" she
cried frantically. good Mr. Pirate
don't hang us, sir. We never hurt any
body. Oh, sir, take us away. Wen DC
anything, We
"Silence, you coward" commanded
, the other woman imperiously. Get up
t Prayers are of no avail with sucl
as
"Nor re they necessary. madam" re
piled O'Neill. I'VE are not pirates, ant
l am come to save you and shall do it
Will you please come on dockf"
Il had rather gone down on th'
ship" said the girl dehantly, evidently
disbelieving him. But you are here
and you are master. Give your orders