Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-11-09
Copyright. 1904. by
Edward j. Clode

best be can. There Is more chance of
success in that way. he thinks, than in,
trying to make fast line thrown by.
us even If it fell over the boat. 1t is
all 4 question of time, he argues. and II
have failed to convince him that not
only he but his companions will DO
lost"
rs there no chance?" inquired the
second officer
Look below" repeated Brand hope
lesSly, and indeed, when they obeyed
him. craning their necks over the rail
to examine the seething caldron from
which the granite tower tapered up to
them. no man could say that the light
house keeper deplored Stanhope's de-
cision without good reason.
They understood matters little bet
ter, perhaps. when, one by one, they re-
entered the lantern, the Falcon having
fitted away to make her final prepara-
tions. Brand asked them not to make
known the nature Of the pending under
taking.
IF thought it would do any good to
the suffering people I would gladly
see them enlivened by the news" he
said. Il confess, however, I expect
nothing but disastrous failure-and-
gentlemen - Lieutenant Stanhope is
practically engaged to be married to
one Of my daughters"
What was to be said? They quilted
him in the silence that was the dom
inant note Of their lives just then.
Pyne alone remained. lie wondered
why one man should be called ON to
endure so much.
Though each of those present ON the
gallery was loyal to Brands sorrowful
request, 1t was impossible to prevent
others from seeing that something Of
exceptional interest was in progress
afloat and on the rock.
Brand did not know that the officials
of the Trinity house had only agreed
to help Stanhope's hazardous project
under compulsion. The sailor inform
ed them that he was determined to
carry out bis scheme with or without
their assistance. So when the Falcon,
the tender and a strong tug hired by
Mr.. Trail rounded the distant earn du
headland at II o'clock the lighthouse
keeper felt that further protest was
unavailing. 1t behooved him to take
all possible measures to help the men
who were about to dare so much to
help him.
In the first place. he caused q rope
to be swung from the gallery to the
doorway. If any doubt were enter
tained US to the grave risk attending
Stanhope's enterprise it was promptly
dispelled by the extreme difficulty met
with in accomplishing this compare
lively simple task. Even a heavy
piece Of wood slung to the end Of the
ninety odd feet Of cord necessary did
not prevent the wind from lashing the
weighted end in furious plunges sea-
ward. At last sailor caught the
swinging block with q boat hook. The
man would have been carried away by
climbing wave had not his mates
perceived his danger and held him.
Then two life buoys were attached to
other ropes In case there might be
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 fasten-
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 mooring buoy,
which, 1t will be remembered, lay In
full view Of the kitchen window. Con-
stance gave them q casual glance. Be-
ing versed in the ways of the sea, she
instantly discovered that some unusual
event was astir.
She called her sisters attention to
the maneuvers Of the steamers. One,
the Trinity tender, lay broadside on to
the incoming tide.
"They are lowering q boat, I do de-
clare" she announced after they had
watched the proceedings for little
while with growing curiosity. At the
distance, nearly GOO yards, it was diff
fcult to discern exactly what was TAX
ing place.
mo boat can live If it comes near
the rock" cried Enid. And then a wild
thought brought her heart to her
mouth.
"Oh. Connie" she cried in a sudden
access Of terror, IL 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"
] 1T cannot be. No one would permit
1t. Father would never give his sane
ton. Enid. my,dear one, why do you
say such thingsH You brighten met"
But Constances lips were bloodless,
and her eyes dilated with the fear
which she. too, would fain deny.
They were perchedsso high above the
sea that the dancing hillocks Of green
water could not wholly obscure the
stoutly built craft which bobbed into
startling prominence round the stern
Of the tender.
1T Is! 1t Isl" shrfeked Enid. "Look,
Connie! There is Jack kneeling in the
bow. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Is he mad?
Why don't they stop him? 1 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-
cinated. speechless, clinging to each
other like panic stricken children, they
followed the leaping boat with the
CLASSY stare Of those who gaze open
eyed at remorseless death.
They scarce understood what was to-
ward.
As the boat, n strong craft, yet such
a mere speck Of stanch life in the tum-
bling seas. was steadily impelled near
or they saw the tug lurch ahead Of the
other vessels until line was thrown
and caught by Stanhope. who instant