Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-08-13

lamp and sent the singers boiling into
the forecastle. Fitzgerald shouted to
the steward to shut the skylight and
look to the ports. Then he hurried
into his oilskins and went on deck.
Through the blackness the lights Of
the yacht blinked feebly, and over
the side the Wind-torn water cleaned
white. The rain was hurled across
the decks in deluging sheets.
The Molly Harwood, pressed down
by the squall and wrenched about by
the seething water, rode up to her
cable with trembling skips, like a.
nervous pony. Fitzgerald tied his
| southwester under his chin and clung
to the starboard mizzen-stay. The
tumult drove the gloom from his
thoughts and the discomfort from his
blood. The rain drenched his face
and ran through his beard. He leaned
forward, sidewise. He had caught a
sound that was not of the raging ele-
ments.
It was hurled from that point in
the darkness where the Venturer's s
lights blinked through the wet. It
Isounded likethe crashing of bulk OF
wood against rock or iron. Then he
heard cries of desperation.
He tore the life-preservers from
their fastenings and hurled them aft.
Then he pulled OF his boots, oilskins
and Southwestern, and dived into the
black-and-white tumult astern.
It is strange fact that few New
foundlanders can swim. Those who
can have acquired the accomplish
ment in other places It Glanced that
Fitzgerald was one Of the few, and he
was giant in the water.
Fifteen minutes later Fitzgerald
caught hold of one of the Venturer's s
lpatent life-rafts with his right hand
With his left he had a firm grip on
the collar of the stout owner Of the
yacht.
With a tremendous effort he got
the half-conscious man partially out
of the water, and made him fast to
the raft with the pieces of line that
floated from it. Then, after recov-
ering his breath, he began shouting
for help.
BY this time both wind and rain
had spent most of their violence, and
the mates voice carried far and wide
The yachts lifeboat picked them VI
. within twenty-five minutes of the &C
cident, in which the gig had beer
! crushed and upset at the very foot o
the Jacob 's-ladder. Two of the gig!
crew had reached the ladder safely
The other had encountered one of th'
, Molly Harwood's preservers, and hat
kept afoat until found by the life
boat.
Il Fitzgerald felt none the worse fo
t his adventure, but Mr.. Benton had t,
Y be taken in hand by his friend AM
passenger, DR.. Van Thorpe. At las
e he opened his eyes.
"Where's the big fellow who picke'
t me up?" he inquired.
They sent for Fitzgerald, who wa
e composedly drinking coffee in tn
' galley.
II "You are one Of the crew of tn
= Molly Harwood, I believe, said tn
: owner of the yacht.
r "I'm her mate" replied Fitzgerald
S staring about him at the fittings c
t the cabin.
|. Il saw you doing some painting tt
q day. -.
: Aye"
: cts not much Of a berth, then
Vt mate OF the Molly Harwood.
II don't mind the painting" replle
Fitzgerald. I'D paint her fore an
aft, and throw in the gliding on hi
name, but it's sailing mate Of tn'
- little fish-crum when I've had a INA
Il ter'g certificate in my chest the'
. three years thatemakes me mad"
# The unusual efforts of the pa
- half-hour had freed his tongue Of er
Il barrassment.
n, T. whats the reason OF 1t? The
must be reason" said Benton.
of @It's my manners" replied Il
Xxx X X y