Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-11-11


moment that evening on an errand
and had said that the schooner had
been sighted and that, as the north
easter was coming on, she was almost
certain to get into trouble; that he
/ perez had rowed over the first thing
in the morning to get the news and
had been just in time to see the launch
ing Of the Aifeboat as the crew put
off to the schooner.
There amt nothin' to worry bout"
observed Captain Fri. "It's no SLOUGH
of pull of to the Hogs Back this
weather, and, besides, I'd trust Lutte
Davis anywhere on salt water"
Eyes, know" replied the uncon-
WINGED Captain Perez, "but he ought
to have been back afore this. There
was kind of letup In the storm jest
afore 1 got here, and they see her fast
on the shoal with the crew in the rig
GIN Luther took the small boat cause
he thought he could handle her better,
and that's what's worryin' me; I'm
'fraid she's overloaded. I was Jest
! thinkin' Of goin' out on the pint to see
j IL could see anything of 'em when you
folks come
well, go ahead. Well go with you,
il Mr.. Hazeldne's got any Of the chill
out of him.
Ralph was feeling warm by this time,
and after Perez had put on his coat
and hat they went out once more into
the gale. The point Of which Perez
had spoken was a wedge shaped sand
ridge that, thrown up by the waves
and tide, thrust itself out from the
beach some few hundred yards below
the station. They reached its tip and
stood there in the very midst of the
storm, waiting for the lulls, now more
frequent, and scanning the tumbling
water for the returning lifeboat.
"Schooner's layin' right over there"
shouted Captain Perez In Ralphs ear,
pointing off into the mist. "'Bout a
mile Off shore, I caYlate. Wicked
place, the Hogs Back is, too"
winds lettin' up little mite" bel
lowed Captain Fri. We've had the
wust of 1t, guess. There amt SO
much
He did not finish the sentence. The
curtain of sleet parted, leaving quar-
ter mile long lane through which they
could see the frothing ridges racing
one after the other endlessly. And
across this lane, silent and swift, like
a moving picture on a screen, drifted
a white turtleback with black dots
clinging to it. It was in sight not
more than half minute; then the lane
| closed again as the rain dashed their
faces"
Captain Perez gasped and clutched
the electrician by the arm.
What was IT." shouted Ralph.
What was It, Captain Eri?"
But Captain Eri did not answer. He
had turned and was running at full
speed back to the beach. When they
came up they found him straining at
the side of the dory that Luther Davis
used In tending his lobster pots. The
boat turned bottom up, lay high above
tide mark in the little cove behind the
point.
"Quick, now" shouted the captain
in tone Ralph had never heard him
use before. "Over with her! Livelyw
They obeyed him without question.
AS the dory settled right side up, two
heavy oars, that had been secured by
being thrust under the seats, fell back
with clatter.
What was it, captain?" shouted
Ralph.
'The lifeboat upset. How many did
| v0,1 ynako ont no n o;y,, o,, r., lo. Do.oro
Five, seemed to me-"
-Four, I thought. Fri, you amt
goin' to try to reach her with this
dory? You couldn't do it. You'll only
/ be drownded yourself. My Lord" he
moaned, wringing his hands, "what'll
Pashy do?"
Catch a-holt now" commanded Cap
tain Fri. Down to the shore with
her! Noww
They dragged the dory to the waters
edge with one rush. Then Fri hurried
ly thrust in the thole pins. Perez pro-
tested again.
Fri" he said, ut amt no use. She
won't live to git through the break
ers."
His friend answered without looking
up. do you s'pose," he said, that
I'm goln' to let Lutte Davis and them
other fellers drown without maxim a
try for 'em? Push off when 1 tell you
to-"
Then you let me go instead of you"
Don't talk foolish. You've got
Pashy to look after. Ready now"
But Ralph Hazeltine interviewed.
I'm going myself" he said firmly,
putting one foot over the gunwale
I'm younger man than either of
you, and I'm used to a boat. 1 mean
it I'm going"
Captain Fri looked at the electricians
face. He saw nothing but determine
ton there.
We'll all CO." he said suddenly.
Mr.. Hazeltine, run as fast as the
Lord III let you back to the station and
git another set Of oars. Hurry!'
Without answering, the young man
sprang up the beach and ran toward
1 the buildings Tho n, o,,oop+ that ~