Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-11-15

some slight chance OF using them. The
tackle which the unfortunate captain
Of the Chinook had cast adrift was
utilized to construct safety lines In
the entrance way. Loops were fnsten-
ed to them, In which six of the strong
est men available were secured against
the chance of being swept through the
door to instant death
Meanwhile the three vessels had
steamed close TO the n1ooring buoy.
which. it will be remembered, lay IN
full view Of the kitchen window Con
stance gave Ahem casual glance. Be
ing versed in the ways OF the sea, she
instantly discovered that some unusual
event was as,ir.
she called her sisters attention to
the maneuvers Of the steamers. One,
the Trinity tender, lay broadsdc on to
the incoming tide.
"They are lowering boat, I do de-
clare" she announced after they had
watched the proceedings for a little
while with growing curiosity. At the
distance, nearly GOO yards, it was diff
fcult to discern exactly what was tax
ing place.
"No boat can live II 1t comes near
the rock" cried Enid. And then a wild
thought brought her heart to her
mouth
"Oh. Connie" she cried in d sudden
access of terror. 81 feel sure that Jack
Is doing something desperate TO save
us. Dad knows. They all know. but
they would not tell us. That is why
Mr.. Pyne has not been near us for
hours
at cannn be. No one would permit
It. Father would never give his sane
ton. Enid, Ely dear ono, why do you
say such things? You frighten me-"
But Constance's Inns were boodess
and her eyes dilatcd with the fear
which she. too. would fain deny.
They were perched so high above the
sea that the dancing hilloclis Of green
water could not wholly obscure the
stoutly built craft which bobbed into
startling prominence round the stern
Of the tender.
at is! 1t Isl shreked Enid. Look,
Connie, There is Jack kneeling in the
bow. Oh, dear. Oh dear Is he mad |?
Why don't Ahey stop him? I cannot
bear to look Connie, tell me-shall I
see him drowned before my eyes,"
The girl was distraught. and her sis
ter was in little better plight Fas-
cinatcd, specchless. clinging to each
other like panic stricken children, they
followed the leaping boat with the
CLASSY stare of those who gaze open
eyed at remorsclasS death.
They scarce understood what was to-
ward.
AS the boat. a strong craft, yet such
a mere speck Of stanch life in the tum-
bling seas. was steadily impolled near
err they saw the tug lurch ahead of the
other vessels until line was thrown
and caught by Stanhope. who instant
" fastened it round his waist. The
rowers wore cork jackets. but he was
quite unprotected. Rareheaded. with
his well knit limbs shielded only by n
jersey. loose fitting trousers and can
vas shoes, he had declined to hamper
his freedom Of movement with the
cumbrous equipment SO essential for
any one who might be cast adrift in
that dreadful sen.
The girls, even in their dumb agony
were duly conscious Ut Il scurry OF
feet up and down the stairs. What did
it matter? They paid heed TO naught
save the advancing boat. now deep in
the trough of Il wave, now perched
precariously on Il lofty crest. Whoever
the Towers were, they trusted wholly
to the instructions given by the gallant
tuth who pcered SO boldly into the
'ildcrness ahead. The flying foam
and high tossed spray gave 70 the
lighthouse the SemblanCe of alternat ely
lifting ana lowering its huge frame
amid the furious torrents that encir
cled it. Nerves of steel. strong hearts
and true. were needed by those who
would voluntarily enter that watery
inferno.
Yet the men at the oars did not faltcl
nor turn their heads. They pulled
evenly and well. with the short, deer
sunkcn stroke Of the fisherman. anL
Stanhopc, now that they We're almost
III tIc WI ttA Nlltlc lile waves los
their regularity. produced paddle
whcrewith to twist the boats head Il
meet each turn and swirl.
Stealthily the powerful tugboat crep
In the wake of the smaller craft, unit
it became clear to the girls strained
vision that watchful helpers, dashed ir
the vessels bows, were manipulating
another rope us drag, thus helping
the sailors efforts to prevent their fra
argosy from being swamped by &
breaking sea.
Then miracle did happen, miracle
Of science. When the boat was ye
200 yards away, Brand. looking on
from the gallery in stony despair. sud
denly beha~1 as one possessed Of &
fend.
"Follow me" he roared. Come
every man"
He rushed into the lantern. AS If hi
wanted wings rather than limbs, h,
swung himself by his hands to the
door of the service room.
Galvanized into activity, those who
were with him on the ledge raced aftel
him. They knew not what had hap
pened Their leader had spoken ant
they obeyed.
Down, down, they pelted, taking the
steep stairs with breakneck speed, I'm