Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-04


ity Of squirrel.
"Now lower jug with some brandy.
He's dead beat" he added.
While Jones haBtened for the spirit,
the sailor stopped and threw back the
sail.
Lying in the bottom Of the boat.
wrapped in a blanket which unavaiting
struggles had rumpled into a roll be-
meath the arms, was an infant whose
precise age 1t was impossible to esti-
mate forthwith owing to the emaciated
condition Of Its body.
With the rocking Of the boat the foul
bllge water washed around the child's
limbs and back. Instinct alone had
saved it from drowning. Perhaps Dur
ing the first hours of vigor after aban-
donment the little one might have roll
ed over in nfantile search for food and
human tendance, but the rush Of salt
water into eyes and mouth must have
driven the tiny sufferer to seek instant
ly the only position in which life was
possible.
So far as the man could judge In a
first hasty glance. the child's clothing
was Of excellent quality. Yet he gave
slight heed to such considerations.
Jim was the father of three lusty
youngsters who were snugly in bed in
Penzance, and the sight Of this for
lorn sea waif made his eyes misty.
He reached down. unpinned the
blanket, which was secured with a
brooch, and lifted the infant out of its
unpleasing environment. 1t was pite-
GUS to see the way in which the shrunk-
Ell hands at once strove to clasp MS
wrists though they were all too feeble
to achieve more than a gentle clutch
which relaxed almost as soon as the
effort was made.
Jones. also q husband and father. be-
thought him when he reached the
storeroom: hence when the windlass
lowered a basket there was not only
n supply of brandy within, but also q
bottle of fresh milk. which reached the
Gulf Rock. by arrangement with fish
crman. whenever weather permitted.
| Jim handed the jug to his exhausted
! companion.
Here. cap'n." he said cheerfully.
! /
! Itll warm the cookies of your heart.
An the sooner you shin up the ladder
and get them soaked rags off you the
better Can you MANAGE It's near
thing for the kid. If not too late now
Brand needed no second bidding.
He did not wish to collapse utterly,
and the soft breeze, rendered chilly by
pt
somewhat.
The resourceful sailor did not at
tempt the foolish process of pouring
even the smallest quantity Of milk into
the baby's mouth. He produced hand
kerchief. stepped twisted corner i'll
the milk and placed it between the
parched, salt blackened lips.
This rough expedient for a feeding
bottle served admirably. The childs
eagerness to gulp in the life giving fluid
was only matched by the tender care
Of the sailor in his efforts to appease
It's ravenous hunger.
He was so intent on this urgent task
that for a little while he paid no heed
to brand Jones, forty feet overhead
took the keenest interest in the baby's
nurture.
Mind you don't let it suck the hand
kerchief into it's little throat" he cried
Not too much, Jim. It's on'y young
I'm. Half milk. half water an lump
Of sugar. my missus says. Pore little
dear! However did it come to live
when that man must ha' been dead fol-
days? Now, Jim, slow an sure is the
motter S'pose you shove it into the
basket an let me hoist it up here. A
warm bath an blanket is the nexl
best thing TO milk an water
IAN right, skipper. Just hold on d
bit. She's doin' fine"
as it a he or she?"
Il dunno. But l guess its gal by
the buds"
The baby. in the sheer joy Of living
again. uttered gurg!ing cry, com
pound of milk, happiness and pain.
There! l told you" shouted Jones
angrlly. you think every kid is q
hardy young savage like your own
You're overdOin' it, say
"Overdon' wot?' demanded the sail
or. "You don't know who you're talkin
to. Why, when l was on the Yves
Coast | reared two week-old monkey.
this way"
Soon these firm friends would hav,
quarreled-so unbounded was thei
anxiety to rescue the futtering exist
ence OF the tiny atom Of humanity 81
mira culously snatched from the peril
of the sea.
. But Stephen Brands dominant per
sonality was rapidly recovering its nor
i, NAL state.
, Jim" ne said. "Mr. Jones is right
, The child must be made comfortable
, Her skin is raw and her eyes sore witt
, inflammation. The little food she ha
, already obt,11led will suffice for few
minutes. Send her up"
The "Mr. Jones" was gentle re
, hinder of authority. No further pro
, test was raised save by the infan
, when supplies were temporarily with
held, and Jones was, too pleased tina
, his opinion should be supported b,
| Brand to give another thought to hi
subordinates outburst.
6 "NOw, back up to the rock" sal,
q Brand. II will dress and rejoin 70,
quickly. The boat must be thorough
examined and swabbed out Jone
! will signal for help. Meanwhile yo