The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-12-13

and forward, and knew no aid could
reach him from that direction. He
must strike out and work his own
salvation.
QUICK as flash a cross sea sank
the trawl hooks into Joel's legs and
body. The barbs tore and cut. and
he could not escape the decorating
points. Setting his thin lips tight.
the poor fellow tried to swim and
tow the deadly trawl to the side of
the dory. Choking and goaded by
wounds that seemed to open wider
with each new struggle to escape.
Joel saw the boat was drifting faster
than he swan. He faltered at the
hooking sight. But presently he rail-
lied and again toiled on.
Something rasped against his face.
II was the warp. and putting a feeble
strain upon the line he brought it to
the surface. The effort sent him un-
der, and he was sinking when the
warp resisted. Hope came to him.
With new vigor he regained the sur
race, despite the weight of gear that
bore him down. The warp passed
over the side Of the dory and out of
sight.
Joe hauled against the buoy he
knew must be wedged in the dory.
frequent were his breathless pauses.
yet he persevered.
With a favoring sea he thrust out
trembling hand, and the fingers
hooked themselves across the oaken
rail and clutched it.
Joel was still facing deadly peril.
Tor the heavy waves sent his body
crashing painfully against the plank
ing. A chill of wind in the sufferers
face recalled him to further effort.
feeble though it was. He pressed one
elbow, then the other, over the sharp
rail, but was too utterly exhausted to
lift the hampering gear.
A fish knife Quivered in it's sheath
behind seat as he fumbled it's han
die. He had not strength to wrench
1t free. Then Joels head fell upon
an arm. His fingers Strengthened as
a vicious sea tore him bodily from the
meager support.
The sudden, violent motion of the
wave impaired Jerking to the mast,
and released the tangled flag that
snapped its full breadth noisily in
the wind.
The lookout on the schooner saw
the signal the instant it appeared.
Until then they had given the dory
but passing notice, thinking she was
engaged in fishing, and was low in
the water owing to heavy catch.
But the flag told another story, and
glasses trained on the dory revealed
the true situation in all it's peril.
With rafting rigging and Stating
canvas the schooner luffed sharply
and bore up in a smother of foam.
Joel, head thrown back, with open
mouth and upturned eyes, was in des-
perate straits.
We'll save you!' came a hoarse
below from the deck Of the vessel,
but the old man never heard. Davits
clanked and tackles whirred; the
yawl boat dropped with tremen-
dous splash. Men slid down the falls
like insects. Two to an oar, they
rowed furiously.
Looks like mes done for keeps"
said sailor, as they lifted Joel to
the deck of the schooner and hauled
in the trawl.
But Joel soon rallied under the he
roic treatment the heavy handed sail
ors applied. He raised himself lit
tie and looked about. His eyes
caught glimpse Of the heap of
trawl. The sight sent shudder
through his frame.
Where be II" he whispered, like
one reused from a fearful dream.
Aboard the Eva May, Bob Meek.
master, bound in with lumber. And.
who be your" 1t was white haired
man, seemingly in authority, who
spoke.
"Joel Bunker, Point Rip pilot, sir,
swamped while tryin' to board ye,''
murmured Joel.
whats the course to the bell
buoy?" briskly asked the captain,
"I'm hurryin' to work the rising tide
up river. Can you take us in?"
They lifted Joel to the quarter
bits aud placed coil Of rope at hts
back. The crew jumped to sheets
and halyards to point the vessel on
the course he gave. So brave old
Joel, suffering, yet gradually mend
ing, was happy. Into port he carried
his prize and safely locked her.
William Mayhem reluctantly gave
up the chase in establishment at the
Eva Mays strange tactics. He
knew nothing OF the accident till he
had returned to Point Rip cove from
his fish net down the beach.-Youth's
Companion.