The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-03-28

would Oe the enU LIE CoulO O1e@ltN0
only between the breaking waves now.
The body of the black was swung
against him again and again, the head
of young TeacI, kissed him upon the
cheek, and still the water seemed to
rise and rise and rise. He was Gead
man like the other two-iniced, lie
prayed to die-and yet in fear he clung
to the chains and held on. Each mo-
ment he fancied would be his last, but
he could not let go.
By and by the waters fell. He could
not believe it at first. He still hung
suspended and waited with bated
breath. Was he deceived? Nc, The
waters were surely falling. The sec
onds seemed minutes to him; the min
utes, hours. At last he gained assur-
ance. There was no doubt but that the
tide was going down. The waves had
risen far, but he had been lifted above
them; now they were falling, falling.
Yes, and they were bearing away that
accursed body andy that ghastly head.
He was alive still, saved for the time
being. The highest waves only touch
ed his breast now. Lower, lower, they
moved away. Reluctantly they lin
gered, but they fell-they fell.
To drown? That was not the judg-
ment of God for him then. What would
it be? His head fell forward on his
breast-he had tainted in the sudden
relief of his undesired salvation.
Long time he hung there, and still the
tide ebbed away, carrying with it all
that was left Of the only two who had
loved him. He was alone now surely,
save for that watcher in the bushes.
After awhile consciousness returned to
him again, and after the first swift
sense of relief there came to him a
deeper terror, for he had gone through
the horror and anguish Of death and
had not died. He was alive still, but as
helpless as before.
It was morning now. On his right
hand the sun sprang from the ocean
bed with the same swiftness with
which it had departed the night before.
Like the tide, it, too, rose and rose.
There was not a cloud to temper the
ferceness with which it beat upon his
head, not breath Of air to blow across
his fevered brow. The binding rays
struck him like hammers Of molten
iron. He stared at 1t out Of his fren-
zied, bioodshot eyes and writhed be-
meath its blazing heat. All his faculties
were merged into one consuming de-
sire for water-water. The thirst was
intolerable. Unless he could get some
his brain would give way. BE was dy-
ing, dying, dying! Oh, God, he could
not die; he was not ready to die! Oh,
for one moment Of time, for one drop
Of water-God-God-God!
Suddenly before his eyes there arose
a figure. At first he fancied it was an
other of the apparitions which had
companied with him during the awful
night and morning, but this was hu-
man figure, an old man, bent, haggard,
like himself, with watching, but with
fierce mad Joy In his face. Where had
he come from? Who was he? What
did he want? The figure glared upon
the unhappy man with one fiery eye,
and then he lifted before the captve's
distorted vision something. What was
it-a cup Of water? Water, water brtm-
ming over the cup! It was just out OF
reach of lis lips-so cool, 80 sweet, 80
inviting! He strained at his chains,
bent his head, thrust his lips out. He
could almost touch it-not quite! he
struggled and struggled and srove to
break his fetters, but without avail.
Those fetters could not be broken by
the hand Of man. Ege could not drink
ah, Godtthen he lifted his blinded
eyes and searched the face Of the other.
"Hornigoldw he whispered hoarsely
with his parched and stiffened lips. "1s
it thou?
AYE. I wanted to let you know
there was water here. You must be
thirsty. You'd like drink? So would
l. There is not enough for both Of
us. Who will get it? 1. Look!'
'Not a1l-not allr' screamed the old
captain family as the other drained the
cup. "a little! A drop for mer'
"Not one DROP" answered Hornigold;
mot one drop! If you were in hell and
held river in my hand you would
not get drop! It's gone"
He threw the cup from him.
81 brought you to this-I! Do you
recall it? You owe this to me. You
had your revenge; this is mine. But
it's not over yet I'm watching you.
shall not come out here again, but
I'm watching you, remember that! I
can see your
"Take that knife you bear-kill me?'
81 don't want you to die-not yet.
want you to Twelve long time,
and remember
"Hornigold, I'll make amends! I'll
be your slave"
"Aye, crawl and cringe now, you dog!
swore that you should do It! It's use
less to beg me for mercy. I know not
that word; neither did you. Remem-
Der, watchr'