Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-04-26
CHAPTER III.

"
ite walls of Penrhyddyn, and the woods
below sough and groan. Out of the gulf
like heavens dart streams of forked
flames, and the thunder rolls and crashes
with a frightful din; and above the at
mospheric war rises the boom and the
roar of the angry waters.
1t is a terrible night at sea; heaven
help the ship that is near that iron-bound
coast. Groups of men are upon the cliffs,
and among the rocks; some with haring
torches; others with lanterns that dot
the darkness with spots of light. All
eyes are turned seawards.
There is a ship out yonder, l caught
sight Of her ythe last fash, and you
must all have heard the minute guns"
The speaker was Sir Launce Penrhyd-
dyn, and his son Arthur stood beside him.
Get out the lifeboat ten pounds to the
man who Is the first to volunteer"
1--WE must think of our own wives and
children at home, Master Penrhyddyn,"
answered an old fisherman. mo boat
could live for ten minutes upon that sea
there's not a man here would venture il
you gave him ten times ten pounds"
Another glare of lightning. The small
black object is nearer, larger this time,
sunk into a gaping pit, and rising high
above, a tottering wall of wave threatens
it with instant humiliation. Again the
guns boom family, and the blackness
| closes over all.
Suddenly cry arises from the hither-
to silent group. By the flash of the light
ming all eyes behold the ship drifting with
terrible speed towards the shore; above
the voice of the winds and waters sounds
crash, and then long, wailing cry Of
many voices.
By the orders of Sir Launce, rockets
are lighted. Upwards they rush, leaving
a fiery trail behind, and fall into the sea ;
the ropes are hauled backwards, but no
one is found clinging to them. Rendered
fearless by strong excitement, master and
servants venture down among the break
ers.
With a blanched cheek, but fearless
heart, young Arthur stands beside his
father, the water streaming off his fair
hair, the salt spray almost binding him.
Quick bring here a torch or a lam
term" suddenly exclaimed Sir Launce ;
something had struck against his feet
more solid than the waves, and rested
there.
In an instant two lanterns and a torch
were upon the spot. 1t was something
human-looking that was all they could
distinguish before dash of spray struck
the lanterns out Of the mems hands, and
washed out the light of the torch.
Bear a hand, and let us carry 1t up
on the cliffs" cried Sir Launce, and, as
sisted by one of the servants, lifted up
the body and scrambled with it up the
rocks.
Out Of the reach of the waters they
laid it down and discovered two bodies in
stead of one-a woman, holding child
against her breast. In both, life seemed
to be utterly extinct.
The woman's face seemed cut and
bruised and crimson marks still rested
there; but the child was apparently un-
touched. When the black hair that clung
round her features, was brushed aside,
the skin was white and spotless as mar
BILE. They tried to take her out of the
woman's arms, but they could not release
her from that convulsive death-grasp ;
and so two servants laid the bodies upon
a litter and carried them away to the
nearest fsherman's hut.
Down the rocks again went Sir Launce
and his son, and the remaining servants,
to seek for other poor wretches that the
waves might drift upon the shore. But
their labor was in vain; the sea disgorg-
ed no more of its victims. Before return
ing to the castle they stopped at the fish
erman's hut whittier the woman and child
had been conveyed. The woman had evil
IDENTIFY been killed upon the rocks before
drowning had taken place; her arms had
so stiffened that they had difficulty in
releasing the child. To restore the lat
ter every known means had been used.
"Have you found any articles upon
them that might lead to their identity? ?"
inquired Sir Launce.
Nothing whatever" replied one of the
servants. "Only this purse containing a
sovereign, and mark on the child's
linen"
"What markT
| "'Tha word 'Eleonore'