Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-12-29
A LITTLE VOLUNTEER.

the coast for three days and not a per.
son had ventured out. The hotel stood
a few rods back from the shore, its
long gla~ss-inclosed piazza overlooking
the angry sea. Off to the left was the
beginning of a long chain of dangerous
rocks, while between the hotel and
the rocks was the famous South Shore
beach.
To those who liked to watch the sea,
the g~lass-inclosed piazza of the hotel
offered exceptional attractions. All
through the long hours of the gale
men and women walked back and
forth with their glasses, exchanging
comments and a~pprehensions, and
often allowing the meal hours to pass
by unregarded, so fascinated were they
by the wild scene.
On the first day of the storm they
had watched with horror as a small
fishing smack was driven in upon the
rocks and went to pieces, but had
breathed more freely when they saw
her crew reach shore in safety. Later
they had watched the plucky and sue
cessful struggle of a small sailboat
as she beat her way to safety.
Every year there were hard storms
and violent winds on the shore, but
it was long since there had been such
a gale as this.
Among the guests was a family
from the interior who had never be.
fore seen the ocean. One Of the chill
dren. a delicate boy of nine or ten
years, seemed to have a special fear
Of the tumbling, roaring waters. Dur
ing the bright days he could never
be induced to go in bathing with the
other children, preferring to wander
about in the fields and woods, whist.
ling to the birds or chasing the butter
flies and g~rasshoppers.
During the gale he wandered from
room to room with a frightened face.
When he heard the guests talking
about the storm and the probable loss
Of life along the coast he trembled.
On the morning of the third day Of
the gale a dull booming was heard
at sea-. All the guests recognized the
pitiful call for help from a stranded
vessel and they fastened to the piazza
with their glasses. Far out at the end
of the chain of rocks a large ship was
stranded. Her masts were gone and
the raves were rolling over her, fast
beating her timbers to pieces. Many
of her passengers were dashed to the
stumps of her masts and among them
could be seen several children.
IN the beach a dozen sturdy fish
ermen were doing their best to launch
a boat. Time and again they got it
into the water, only to have it over
turned by a roaring breaker and driv-
en- high upon the beach. At last, ex-
hausted by their efforts, the men stood
back and gazed helplessly at the ship
and the angry waters that lay between
it and them.
The rain had ceased, but the wind
still blew the binding spray far up
on the beach. Most of the guests left
the hotel and went down to the group
Of silent men on the shore. 1t was
useless, they said; no boat could ever
reach the vessel; all who went out
would be lost.
AS the guests stood watching the
vessel on the rocks one of the ladies
felt a pull at her dress. CHANGING
down she saw Arthur. the boy who
would never venture In the water.
His face was colorless with terror
with terror and his eyes were round
and shining.
why, Arthur" she said, chidingly, !
what made you come down here, If
you are so frightened? Run back to
the hotel, that's a dear"
But the boy shook his head and
closed his lips tightly.
Shall l go with you, dear?"
mo, no; I'll stay. But it's awful.
And all those people on the boat.
Can't somebody help?"
One of the fishermen overheard him.
Not till the sea goes down." he
said, grufiy. 1T would be suicide.
I'm willing to risk my life, but not to
throw it away"
Five, ten minutes passed, and again
the dull booming of the signal gun
on the wrecked vessel appealed for
help. Unable to bear the suspense
and inaction longer, one of the men
sprang forward to where the boat lay.
half buried in the sand, as it had been
driven back by the waves.
Il can't stand this" he said.
who'll go with me?"
The men stood silent, shaking their
heads slowly as the speakers eyes
sought one after another.
For Gods sake, mates" he called,
hoarsely, won't some OF you vol
unteer? It's better TO lose our lives
out there than to stay here and see
those people drown"
AS the man spoke a small, slight
figure darted forward and clambered
into the boat. 1t was Arthur.
IN 60" he cried, resolutely.
Maybe | can help save some of the
children"
There was a moments hush. Then
tho, GEIapp,o,, .. +ho In-. 800. .