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

The seamen stationed in the entrance
were astonished by the rapidity of the
change. In less than n minute they
found they were no longer blinded by
the splndrift 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 1t 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 20 give
place to its successor
Full twenty feet Of the granite layers
were thus submerged and exposed
whenever big comber Travelled sheer
over the reef.
But these straightforward attacks
were spasmodic. Often the cd1ies Gre
ated by the rocks came tuinbing pcll-
nell from the north. Sometimes they
would combine with the incoming tide,
and then the water seemed to cling
tenacously to the side of the light
house until it rose to great height,
swapping the entrance and dropping
back with tremendous crash. There
were times when the northerly ally dis
dained to merge with its rival. Then it
leaped into the hollow created by the
recedng wave and all about the light
house warred level whirlpool.
Stanhope's plan WAS to rush the boat
in when one of these comparatively
less dangerous opportunities offered.
lie would spring for the ladder run up
if possible, but if caught hr Il vault
ing breaker lock himself with hands
and feet on the iron runcs and ell
deavor to withstand the sitting en-
brace of the Oncomlng sea lie was
sure he could hold out against that fu
| rious onslaught once at least. He was
an expert swimmer and diver, and lie
/ believed that by clinCing i.mpct-lilie to
site strength of lungs and shows 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 Mt 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
handy craft in place of the lifchoat
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 I'M
wicldly bulk OF the lifeboat not only
| detracted from these all important con-
| siderations. but made it moro than
probable that she would be capsized or
touch the reef.
For the same reason he timed his ap-
proach on the rising tide. lie could
venture nearer to the lighthouse itself,
and the boat could be rowcd and drag
ged more speedily into safety. With
him, too, were mon who knew every
inch Of the Gulf Rock. He knew he
could trust them to the end.
Although he had mapped out his pro-
gramme 10 The last dc,ail, Brands in
! SEPARATION in using the OIL created a
fresh and utterly Unforeseen sat of con-
ditions.
Mountainous ridges Still danced fan
tastlcally up and down the smooth
granite slopes, but they no longer
broke. and 1t is broken water, not tu-
mutuously heaving seas, that an open
boat must fear.
With the intuition Of born sailor.
ready to seize any advantage given ly
human enemy or angrS ocean, Stan
hope decided in the very jaws OF OPP
portunity to abandon his original de
sign totally and shout to the men lie
saw standing in the entrance to hca vo
him Il rope. He would have preferred
the danger Of the jump He almost
longcd to endure the fierce struggle
which might ensue before he reached
those waiting hands. He thought he
would have his reward in the tense joy
Of the fight, in bringing salvation to
Enid and those with her. IL. seeing her
sweet face again after those days and
nights of vigil
But the paramount need was to sue
coed. The extraordinary and. TO him
quite inexplicOble 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 tC
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
Flnging out his right arm he mo-
toned to the men In the lighthouse to
be ready to heave coil. The wind
was the chief trouble now, but he must
chance that.
"'Nast pulling" he yelled over his
shoulder as monstrous wave pranced
over the reef and enveloped the col
umn.
AYE, aye! sang out his crew.
Up went the boat on the crest and Il
fearsome cavern spread before his
eyes, revealing the seaweed that cluna
to the lowest tier of masonry. In the
|T ETE5gEE; Is