Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-06-20
CHAPTER II.

" was after night of lonely
vigil, itself the elimination of two days
of hard work, the fierce battle with the
shark had shocked into active existence
the reserve of latent energy which
every healthy animal unconsciously
boards for life and death emergencies.
But there was another reason. He
had scarce gained the comparative
safety Of the boat before he was, In
the same instant, Mortified and as
founded to a degree hitherto beyond
his experience. Not even the stiff pull
of 200 yards sutliced to restore his
senses. So Jim's question fen on his
ears with the meaningless sound of the
steamers siren.
what is it, mate?" repeated his fell
low keeper, more insistently. you
amt hurt anyways, are your"
'.It is a baby" said Brand, in
curiously vacant way.
"a baby" shrieked Jones, stretched
out over the crane above their heads.
"a what-a?" roared the sailor, whose
crudely developed nervous system was
not proof against the jar of incredulity
induced by this statement. Had Brand
said "a tiger he could not have ex-
hibited greater concern.
Yes. baby-and 1t is living.
heard it cry" murmured the other, sit
ting down rather suddenly
Indeed, faint wall suggestive of n
kitten, now came from beneath the
tumbled canvas quite near to jim.
But the royal navy does not encourage
neurosis. The lighthouse keeper felt
that minor crisis had arrived. 1t
must be dealt with promptly.
The evil cdor which still adhered to
the boat told him that Brand had ex-
changed one inferno for another when
he clambered out of the reach of the
blindly vengeful shark.
He looked up to Jones.
Lower away" he said promptly.
"Swing the derrick until l grab the
tackle, and then hoist me aboard"
This was done. Ungainly in his
walk, owing to his wounded lirub, Jim,
clinging to a rope, had the easy activ-
ity of a squirrel.
Now lower jug with some brandy.
He's dead beat" he added
While Jones fastened for the spirit,
the sailor stopped and threw back the
sail.
Lying in the bottom of the boat,
wrapped in blanket which unavailing
struggles had rumpled into roll be-
meath the arms, was an infant whose
precise age it was impossible to esti-
mate forthwith owing to the emaciated
condition of its body.
With the rocking of the boat the foul
bilge water washed around the child's
limbs and back. Instinct alone had
saved 1t from drowning. Perhaps dur
ing the first hours Of vigor after aban-
donment the little one might have roll
ed over In infantile 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
first hasty glance, the child's clothing
was Of excellent quality. Yet he gave
slight heed to such considerat tons.
Jim was the father of three lusty
youngsters who We're 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-
en- hands Mt once strove to clasp his
wrists, though they were all too feeble
to achieve more than 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 basket there was not only
supply of brandy within, but also a
bottle of fresh milk, which reached the
Gulf Rock, by arrangement with n fish
erman, whenever weather permitted.
Jim handed the jug to his exhausted
companion.
Here, cap'n." he said checrfully
Take IL couple of moathfuls OF this
It'll 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 neal
thing for the kid. If not too late now"
Brand needed no second bidding
He did not wish to collapse uteAlly
and the soft breeze, rendered chilly by
his wet garments, had revived hin
somewhat.
The resourceful sailor did not ut
tempt the foolish process of Pouring
even the smallest quantity Of milk into
the baby's mouth. He produced Il hand
kerchIef, stepped n twisted corner ii
the milk and placed 1t between tn,
parched, salt bluckened lips.
This rough eXpedient for Il feeding
bottle served admirably. The child
eagerness to gulp in the life giving fluit
was only matched by the tender car
of the sailor in his efforts to appeas,
its ravenous hunger.
He was SO intent on this urgent tasl
that for little while he paid no heet
to Brand. Jones, forty feet overhead
took the keenest interest in tho baby'l
nurture.
Mind you don't let it suck the hand
kerchief into Its little throat" be cried
Not too much. Jim. It's on'y youn,
'un Hall. milk. half water an hml
Of sugar. my missus says. Pore it'll
dear! However did it come to live
when that man must ha' been dead 70
days? Now, Jim, slow an sure is tn
motter. S'pose you shove 1t into til
basket an let me hoist it up here. 4
warm bath an blanket Is the mex
best thing to milk an water"
"All right, skipper. Just hold on
bit She's dom fine"
SIS it n he or shc?'
81 dunno. But guess it's n gal b.
the duus."
The baby. III the sheer Joy Of Twin
again, uttered a gurgHng Cry. cor
pound Of milk. happiness and pain.
'There! told you!" shouted Jone
angrlly. you think every kfA is
hardy young savage like your owl
You're overdoin' 1t, say
"Overdoin' wot" demanded the sol
or. "You don't know who you're talki,