Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-28


dense wps the spray through which
he was driven. Even in that terrible
moment lie kept his senses. The girl.
utterly unconscious. showed by the
convulsive heaving Of her breast that
she was choking. With a wild effort
he swung her head round to shield her
from the flying scud with his own
form.
The tiny mir space thus provided
gave her some relief. and in that In
slant the sailor seemed to recognize
her. lie was not remotely capable Of
definite idea. Just as he vaguely real.
lied the identity Of the woman in his
arms the unsteady support on which
he rested toppled over Again he re-
newed the unequal contest. A strong,
resolute man and typhoon sea wres.
tied for supremacy.
This time his feet plunged against
something gratefully solid. He was
dashed forward, still battling with the
raging turmoil Of water. and Il second
time he felt the same firm yet smooth
surface. His dormant faculties awOke.
1t was sand. With frenzied dcspera-
ton, buoyed now by the inspiring hope
Of safety. he fought his way onward
like maniac.
Often he fell. Three times did the
backwash try to drag him to the
swiring death behind, but hc staggered
b!indly on, on, until even the tearing
gallo ceased to be laden with the suffo.
eating foam, and his fnlterng feet
sank in deep soft white snnd
Then he fell. not to rise again With
last weak flicker OF exhausted
strength lie drew tho girl closely to
him, and the two lay clasped tightly
together. needless now Of all things.
How long the man remained pros
trate lie could only guess subsequently.
The Sirdar struck soon after day
break. and the sailor awOke to a haZv
consciousness OF his surroundings to
find n shaft of sunshine Pickering
through the clouds banked up in the
east. The gale was already passing
away. Although the wind still whls-
tied with shrill violence. il was more
clustering than threatening. The sea,
too, though running very high. had re-
treated many yards from the spot
where he had finally dropped, and its
surface was no longer scouTgcd with
venomous spray.
Slowly and painfully he raised him
self to a sitting posture. for he was
bruised and stiff. With his first move.
ment he became violently i'll. lie had
swallowed much salt water, and ii
was not until the spasm of sickness
had passed that lie thought Of the girl
she cannot be dead" he hoarscly
murmured, feebly trying to lift her
"Surely Providence would not desert
her after such an escape. What a
weak beggar I must he to give In a,
the last moment. ] am sure she was
living when we got ashore. What or
earth can do to revive herr:
Forgetful of his own aching limbs ir
this newborn anxiety, he sank on one
knee and gently pilowed Iris head ant
shoulders on the other. Her eyes were
closed, her lips and teeth llrmly set,
fact to which she undoubtedly owet
her life, else she would have been SUI
located the pallor Of her skin
seemed to be that terrible bloodles
hue which indicates death, The steri
lines in the mans face relaxed. ant
something blurred his vision. He wa
weak from exhaustion and want O
food. For the moment his emotion
were easily aroused.
"Oh. il is pitful," h. almost within
pered. 1T cannot be-
With a gesture Of despair he drew
the sleeve of his thick jersey across hi
eyes TO clear them from the gather!n