Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-09-18

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found they were no longer blinded by
the spindrift cast by each upward rush
right into the interior of the light
house. The two nearest to the door
looked out in wonderment. What devil
ment was the reef Matching now, that
its claws should relax their clutch on
the pillar and its icy spray be with
held?
Each wave, as it struck to westward
of the column, divided itself into two
roaring streams which met exactly
where the iron rungS ran down the
wall. There was a mighty clash Of the
opposing forces and further upward
rearing of shattered torrents before
the reunited mass fell away to give
place to it's successor.
Full twenty feet of the granite layers
were thus submerged and exposed
whenever a big comber travelled sheer
over the reef.
But these straightforward attacks
were spasmodic Often the edd1es Gre
ated by the rocks came tumbling pell-
nell from the north. Sometimes they
would combine with the incoming tide,
tenaciously to the side of the light
house until it rose to great height,
swamping the entrance and dropping
back with a tremendous crash. There
were times when the northerly ally dis
dained to merge with it's rival. Then 1t
leaped into the hollow created by the
receding wave and all about the light
house warred a level whirlpool.
Stanhope's plan was to rush the boat
in when one of these comparatively
less dangerous opportunities offered.
He would spring for the ladder, run up
if possible, but if caught by vault
ing breaker lock himself with hands
and feet on the iron, rungs and en-
deavor to withstand the sitting en-
brace of the oncoming sea. He was
sure he could hold out against that fu-
riouS onslaught once at least. He was
an expert swimmer and diver, and he
believed that by clinging limpet-like to
the face cf the rock he had the requi-
site strength of lungs and sinews to
resist one If not more Of those watery
avalanches.
! The rope around his waist was held
from the tug The instant he made his
leap the men with him were to back
water, the crew at the drag to haul for
all they were worth and consequently
pull the boat clear Of the next wave
ere it broke That is why he selected
a handy craft in place of the lifeboat
offered to him as soon as his resolve
was whispered ashore. 1t was on ra-
pidity, quick judgment, the utilization
of seconds, that he depended. The un-
wieldly bulk CT the lifeboat not only
detracted from these all important con-
siderations, but made it more than
probable that she would be capsiZed or
touch the reef.
For the same reason he timed his ap-
proach On the rising tide. He could
venture nearer to the lighthouse itself,
and the boat could be rowed and drag
ged more speedily into safety. With
him, too, were men who knew every
inch OF the Gulf Rock. lie knew he
could trust them to the end.
Although he had mapped out his pro-
gramme to the last detail, Brands in
spiration in using the oil created a
fresh and utterly unforeseen set of con-
ditiCnS.
Mountainous ridges still danced fan
tastically up and down the smooth
granite slopes. but they no longer
broke, and it is broken water, not tu-
rult;-nUsly heavins seas. that an open
boat i4>;;, -.
With the intuition of born sailor.
ready to seize any advantage given by
human enemy or angry ocean, Stan
hope decided in the very jaws of op-
portunity to abandon his original de-
sign totally and shout to the men he
saw standing in the entrance to heave
him rope He would have preferred
the danger of the jump. He almost
longei 10 endure the fierce struggle
which might cnsue before he reached
those waiting hands. Ee thought he
would have his reward in the tense JOY
of the fight, in bringing salvation to
Enid and those with her, in seeing her
sweet face again after these days and
nights OF vigil.
But the paramount need was to sue
ceed. The extraordinary and, to him,
quite ineXplicable change in conditions
which he had studied during tortured
hours passed on the bridge of the Fal
con or the Trinity tender made it pos
sible to remain longer in the vicinity
of the rock than he had dared to hope
Therefore he knew it was advisable to
adopt the certain means of communi
cation of the thrown rope in preference
to the uncertainty of his own power to
reach and climb the ladder.
Flinging out his right arm he mo-
toned to the men in the lighthouse te
be ready to heave q coil. The wind
was the chief trouble now, but he must
chance that
"'Vast pulling" he yelled over his
shoulder as a monstrous wave pranced
over the reef and enveloped the col
umn.
Aye, ayer' sang out his crew.
Up went the boat on the crest and 8
fearsome cavern spread before his
eyes, revealing the seaweed that clune
To fh, lowest tier of masonry In the