Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-13
DAILY SHORT STORY
From Brute to Man.
IOriginaI.l


third mate, Edward Webster, had CIV
en- them so much trouble, killing two
of their number, that he was reserved
for a death by some prolonged torture.
They were trying to devise something
unique. When passing an island one OF
them said:
az tell you, mates, what We'll do.
Let's take him ashore and when the
tides out bury him up to his neck in
the sand. Then when 1T turns he'll
get the slowest drowning man ever
had"
There was a shout of approval to
this, and several of the men went for
ward to drop the anchor while others
lowered boat from the davits. When
all was ready Webster was put into the
boat and rowed ashore. The tide had
just passed the flood, and it would be
eleven hours before another high wa
ter. The mutineers dug q hole at the
highest line of foam and put their cap
tive in it, leaving his head free, his
arms pinned close to his sides. Filling
in the sand, they stamped it down
about him SO that it was impossible
for him to move. Then they took to
their boat, guying him as they pulled
away.
So long as Webster had them and the
ship to look at his mind did not wholly
rest upon his condition. He watched
them till they went aboard, saw them
raise the anchor and sail away, keep
ing his mind upon them till the last
ray of sunlight faded from the ships
sails.
Above the horizon where the bark
had disappeared hung a dark cloud
like sea gull with outstretched wings.
Then there was n faint flash of light
ming. ''There'll be a storm" thought
the captive, land it will shorten this
agony, driving the tide i'll earlier and
higher. May it come quickly"
1t was o'clock in the evening when
Webster was buried, and till midnight
a three-Quarter moon sailed between
black, ragged clouds, while occasion
ally a flash of lightning added to the
terrible splendor of the scene. 1t was
the ocean-the black, heaving, tum-
bling ocean-its merciless waves fall
ing heavily on the beach with monot-
Onous regularity, that was the chief
ceding tide, saw it turn and then crawl
slowly upon him. No stealthy jungle
beast could be half so terrible.
And what was his chief thought for
the world which he was about to leave?
Alas for humanity. the instinct of the
brute creation predominated. With his
sufferings was mingled n hatred for
the men who had caused it. At such
intervals as his mind reverted TO aught
but his situation 1t fell upon methods
of revenge he would delight to inf1ict
on his murderers.
Slowly the relentless ocean advanced.
Had it life 1t would not have been so
awful. It's unreasoning inevitable pur-
pose was its greatest horror. He knew
that he was helpless, but could not re-
frain from an effort to free himself.
Had he been able to move even inf1ni-
tesimally he might in time loosen the
sand about him. It was his inability
to stir at all that pinioned him.
Soon after midnight the storm burst.
AS the tide rolled In the breakers in
creased in size and strength. Then
came the dawn of day. BY this time
the extreme line of foam encircled the
captive's neck.
And now came a ray of hope. Web
ster noticed that when the first wave
to reach him receded it took with it
sand from under his chin and left sand
at the back of his neck. Another wave
came and took more from in front,
leaving more behind. Then as the seeth-
ing foam passed over him he held his
breath, regaining it when the water
had withdrawn. Each receding wave
piled sand behind and scOOped sand in
front. lie bent forward; his arms were
loosened; he dragged himself from his
hole.
He went to the crest Of q dune and,
throwing himself down, slept. When
he awoke the tempest had lulled, but
the ocean was chatting more fiercely
than before. From his elevated posi-
ton he saw a mile to his left a strand
ed ship and knew from her rigging
that she was the Aida. He ran down
to a point opposite her and saw men
putting off on a raft. 1t tumbled for a
moment on the curl of a comber, then
capsized, leaving it's crew in the water.
Webster saw q man being driven to
ward a protruding rock. Rushing to
it's outermost edge. he caught the help
less creature, saved him from being
dashed to death and drew him away
from the turmoil OF brine. Another
was thrown senseless on the beach and
was about to be carried back when
Webster dashed in and saved him. A
third was swimming on the breakers
At the risk of his life Webster went
out beyond a foothOId and dragged
him I'm. There were ten men on the
raft, and these three were all that
came ashore alive.
Then the three men who were saved
stood before their rescuer. whom they
had intended to barbarously murder.
Men, Webster said, last night
when saw the black f1end coming to
drown me I longed to torture you to
death. That, 1 suppose. is the brute in
me. Then when 1 saw you struggling