The Red Cloud chief., 1906-10-12

talking
YES" explained Brand. "He he
lievcs that II strong boat rowcd to the
verge of the broken water might watch
her opportunity and dart I'm close to the
ladder on the back wash of Il big wave,
allowing It's successor to lift her high
enough for an active man to jump on
to the rungs. The rowers must pull for
their lives the instant the wave breaks
and leave him clinging to the ladder as
best he can. There Is more chance of
success I'm that way, he thinks. than In
trying TO make fast a line thrown by
us even II It fell over the boat. 1t Is
all n question Of time, he argues, and |
have failed to convince him that not
only he but his companions will be
lost"
rs there no chance?' inquired the
socond officer.
Look below" repeated Brand hone.
lcssly, 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 dcplored Stanhope's dc.
cision without good reason.
They understood matters a little bet.
ter, perhaps, when, IN by one, they re-
entered the lantern. the Falcon having
fitted away to make her final prepare
tons. Brand asked them not to mako
known the nature Of the pending under
taking.
"If l thought 1t would do any good to
the suffering people | would gladly
see them enlivened by the news" he
said. IL confess, however, l expect
nothing but disastrous ~failurc-and--
gentlemen - Lieutenant Stanhope is
practically engaged to be married to
n 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.
Pync alone remained. He wondered
why one man should he 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
afioat 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 his scheme with or without
their assistance. So when the Falcon,
f1,n fan1nr onJ On cfrnny t,,n biral 1,
Mr.. Trail rounded the distant earn du
headland at IL 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 n rope
to he swung from the gallery to the
doorway. If any doubt were enter.
tanned as to the grave risk attending
%Stanhope's enterprise 1t was promptly
dispelled by the extreme difficulty met
with in accomplishing this compare
lively simple task. Even n 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 a sailor caught the
swinging block with a boat hook. The
man would have been carried away by
n 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 We're 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 a 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 of the steamers. One,
the Trinity tender, lay broadside on to
the incoming tide.
"They are lowering a boat, I do de-
clare" she announced after they had
watched the proceedings for a little
while with growing curiosity. At the
distance, nearly 600 yards. 1t was diff
ficult to discern exactly what was tax
ing place.
mo boat can live If 1t comes near
the rock" cried Enid. And then a wild
thought brought her heart to her
mouth.