Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-26

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tie green sea and the seehing foam that raced 10 the
shore.
They're awkward" the mate admitted "Con-
fovndedly awkward If we could get through them I'd
bet the lot Of reaching the shore alive
You can't drown in half minute. Well, some of us
will get through. It's the only chance. Take long
breath before you start"
Can't you get rope ashorea" was asked the wa,
they do at wrecks-so that we could go down it,"
"Ye-es" said the chief officer 4 might get rop,
ashore. but you couldn't hold on I've no cradle to run
up and down Il No. You'll have to jump"
That is the only thing left to do Who'll 20 frs7"
The man and the woman looked at each other
We will" he said, and she nodded approval
You'd better 60 sngly," old sailor advised
Therel be more chance of slipping between the snags
you see II you're tied together and one gets caugh,
you'll both be done for"
The bounder man slapped him on the shoulder.
And suppose that's what they wish1" he said IN.
my old sporti"
"Ah-h" said the old sailor. "Ah-h That makes
1t all the moro pity" He looked at the cord which fas-
tened them together and suddenly he laughed exc;tedy
and turned to the chief officer
The very idea, siri" he said. "If you got cable
ashore we'd sling em oyer in pairslet the rope be-
tween en- slide down it, don't you seer They could
bold on to each other. and keep il from sippng Of"
Tho chief officer and several of the men rusbed away
and came back with twine and ropes They fsstened
some balls Of tw!ne together and bound end sound
plank Then they threw the plank overheard and tho
current carried swiftly toward the rocks Il struck
Of the snags and eapt violently into the air. Then
1t the beach, and Of the sailors secured It,
and waved his arm
"Ahl" said the old sailor, that's BILL He Under
stands He was fife-boat man once Bill was Looki
He's telling the rest"
He waved his arm in reply, and fastened on a thin
rope and the dragged it ashore by the Irvine, and
then, by the line they pulled in stout hawser-severa
hawsers joined, really All ashore, the women and
children, assisted to haul standing in long Then
the held the end, and the women and children held
the line attached to it.
Those aboard secured their end firmly to the ship
carrying up the stanchions of the platform round
the captains cabin to give it much elevation pos
sble and then their comrades ashore pulled it as taut
they coud-tuggng hard that the poop of the ship
moved yards the breakers The sailors substi-
tuted stoutcr rope Tor the cord between the and
the woman, tied loop in the end Of the rope and
CREASED it to make it easily They put it
the hawser first, that would hang each side,
and told them to hold each other firmly. Then
three men held them the side ready to start
Now" asked the chief officer are you ready?"
"Wish each other luck" said the bounder
"Don't mind us!"
The smiled at him, bravey
God bless you ALL" she said There are more good
people in the world than thought Good-by"
She lifted her face the man, and they kissed each
other
GOD bless you!" he said
=" Go!" cried tie chief officer, giving them mighty
push, and they slid swiftly down the saggng hawser
through the drenchng foam that sprang up from the
rocks and nearly took their breath away, holding each
other and tightly, and rocking swiftly from
side to side
At first they went very fast; but the rope sagged
their motion was slower and slower; and though the
rope between them passed the joins in the hawsers.
the obstacles checked their speed. Then their feet
dragged in the foam and they moved very very slowly
till at last the current began dragging their feet and
the oldest sailor ashore yelled out sharply:
Lower EN-! Lower EN-! The current II fetch
'eml"
And suddenly they spiashed in the water and the
foam flew all them; and sailor. waistdeep in tho
and holding to others in chain seized them and
dragged them the beach. And, without waiting
be united they joined the in hauling at the ro0
for the passage of the next pair who already a.
the ships sdc but they pulled they kept smiling at
each other.
"Ohl" she whispered once. And we thought life
ordinary"
All their friends ashore at last The chief officer
and the "bounder man the final pair, and arrived
couple Of minutes before the remains of the old ship
broke up and disappeared They heavy and
swung their legs and landed unaded with 9 run; and
then sailor cut the couples adrift When he severed
the only lady from her companion he grnned
THE next time you're tied up" he prophesied it'll
be knot that can't be cut-a parsons knot"
And the bounder man beamed on them benevolently-
he felt as though he would like to lend some dol
lar he said.
"rll 60 and see it done" he asserted, whether I'm
asked or not"
Three weeks later when a passing steamer had car
ried them of to England, he asked. and went He
gave the bride wonderful gold ornament fashioned
like fragment of rope tied in sailor-like way,
"The parsons knot" he informed them, and the chief
officer, who also asked to the wedding took up
and smiled
1--WE don't call it that" he said ave call it true
lovers knot"
THAT" said the bounder man. with beaming smile
"is what il will bel"