Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-06

line out into the lake. Right the boat it shot
and then. as the weight plunged into the waves, IL
.ell across the deck.
cheer came from the steamer The Children
danced about In their Joy. The life savers qY,ckly
tied the shore end of the line to heavier rope The
Iuen on the boat hauled this out and by means
OF 1t pulled through the rope cable, block
and tackle, and two smaller lines
Meantime several Of the fe-savers set up on the
beach framework consisting OF two large tirnbers
crossed 1t was intended to support the shore end
OF the cable.
Soon the drag upon the heavy rope ceased A
moment later a signal showed that It had been made
fast to the mast. The e-savers hauled It ,aut and
quickly adjusted the breeches-buoy This true to its
name looked like nothing else than a large pair Of
leather trousers suspended from of pulley that
ran along the cable. 1t was pulled back and forth
by means of the smaller lines
Hauling away Justify. the hfe-savers sent the
buoy dancing out the waves. The children
watched it with intent eyes. That small leather
pouch, .hrashing about in the gale as though it
sheet cothes-line, carried the only
hope of rescue to the people the wrecked steamer
If 1t did its work we'll they would cross the death.
dealing waters back to life and safety If it failed
the children shuddered to think what would happen
II 1t failed.
Swiftly the buoy out to the boat There
was a moments pause the sailors fastened some
one into the breeches Another signal followed.
Haul away" commanded the life-saving captain
The eager Ife-savers and helping farmers pulled
with will, and the loaded buoy, swinging the
side Of the steamer, started It's perious trip
the surging pillows
The cable sagged under the weight and the an
waves leaping up like hungry dogs, almost
caught the buoy and it's living burden. Nearer and
nearer they surged the buoy advanced. The
children held their breaths fearing that any mo-
nent the lake might seize its prey. AS they watched
the steamer suddenly rolled toward shore, Stacking
the cable. Down plunged the buoy into the waves
and beneath them, The children screamed in hor-
ror. They thought all was lost. But no! The boat
rolled back: the cable grew taut: the buoy swshed
up from the water, and its precious burden bounded
high above the fate that yawned below.
Again and again the waves grasped the buoy.
but strong pull snatched it quickly from their
slippery clutches. Soon it swinging the
outer edge of the laundering surf.
1T is a woman" shouted Dumpty.
rs it Mama?" cried Twadde, running close to
the water.
She has little grit" declared sharp,eyed Twid-
die.
Rushing in from the lake a monster
The cable sagged and the caught the buoy
in its mighty grasp. But it late. The cap
tain, wading into the surf caught the woman and
child in his outstretched arms and landed them
safe on shore
The beach fire Jared up shining on the white.
tense face Of the woman.
"Nama." shrieked Twidde running forward and
throwing her arms around the woman as the men
lifted her from the buoy.
Mama! Mama" shouted Dumpty and Twiddle.
"My children! Ny darlings!" cried their mother.
clasping them to her. Thank God, for sparing
to YOU"
Mama Mama! Mama" was all they could
say
Get them to the fire, quick" ordered the life
saving captain. The Indian and farmers lifting both
Mrs. Drummond and the little girl, carried them
the fire, There they wrapped them in blankets Now
the children understood why the beds had been
stripped The little girl was crying and sobbing.
The buoy again swinging through the surf.
This time it held woman and baby.
Mama" cried Margaret And it was.
The next trip of the buoy brought Margarets
father and little brother, Then followed another
passenger.
"Worb fast" Dumpty heard him say as he was
helped from the buoy. The boat is breaking up
The boat breaking up! With Father still on
board! Oh, would his in time? Anxious
ly Dumpty watched the buoy go ont into the dark
ness. Still more anxiousy he awaited its return.
II came but still without Father Again and again
1T made the trip, bringing all the passengers and
even member of the crew, but not Father Each
time Dumpty's heart sank deeper
On the next trip of the buoy, the boat rolled to-
ward the shore stacking the cable 1t failed to roll
back as far as before, and the buoy plunged agai-
and again into the water. The lfesavers pulled
desperately. but fast they worked the T..
the buoy almost unconscious when they dragged
him through the surf,
Papa" screamed Dumpty, who was neares.
them in his arms
But the work of rescue was not yet complete Five
still on the doomed boat. The life-sayers
hurryng to save them, raced with death. One man
came, then another and third.
shes going 10 pieces The captain and mate
still aboard" the third man gasped.
Out went the buoy on a run 1t reached the boat
and started back Quickly the fe-savers hauled
and hauled. Barely had the captain and mate
reached shore when suddenly the cable sagged
heavily.
There goes the mast" shouted rescued sailor
The children looked out. The masthead light which
had continued to burn steadily all the time, had
suddenly lurched far and then plunged down,
down, into the darkness, The cable dropped use
lcssly into the water.
THE boats gone" cried one OF the crew.
Yes, but every one on board had been rescued,
1T was the children who gave the warning Yo-
owe your lives to them!' said the captain OF the
lfe-savers