Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
tinged the whole picture with a blood-red
glare that added to tho terror of the


sight.
The steamer seemed beyond all human
help. No hfeboat could live a minute in
the angry surf. A swimmer would be
mercilessly battered to death. The aw-
full power OF the angry deep had been I'M
loosened, and what could men do before
it? The children sobbed aloud as they
looked upon the doomed boat. Would
they ever again see their father and
mother alive? Almost hopelessly they
turned toward the life savers.
Inc brave men in oflskins were working
with feverish energy. Some were deft-
ly arranging lines and rigging. Others
boat.
Twaddle.
"shoot out life line" answered
D toanpy' quick hope following on his
oh, and bring, them ashore In the
ing up and down in excitement.
It's the only chance" declared the old
farmer. shaking his head.
Ready" cried tho life savers captain,
and then Fire.
"Boom!' went the cannon, startling the
children SO that they lost sight Of the
flying line. A sharp exclamation from
Missed" he cried. Load again!"
You'll never get line out there
against this hurricane!" cried the old
farmer
"Oh-oh-ohr' walled rwaddle. The hove
just grfpped her hands hard and watched
the life savers.
Again the cannon was aimed. and
again came the order to fire. A second
roar, and the line went flying out in the
face Of the wind. Straight for the boat
1t sped, then the wind caught it and
hurled 1t back, fifty feet short Of it's
mark
She'll go to pieces before we get a
line to her." said a life saver.
Suddenly Twaddle dropped on her
knees in the sand and, raising her hands
to the farmer. said:
"Oh, don't give up please. Try again.
Try again.
Just then there came a momentary lull
in the hurricane. The cannon was ready
"Boom!' it roared. Strong and swift
sped the line out into the lake Right
over the boat it shot, and then, as the
weight plunged into the waves it fell
across the deck
A cheer came from the steamer The
children danced about in their joy The
life savers quickly tied the shore end of
the line to a heavier rope The men
on the boat hauled this out, and then by
means OF it pulled through the waves a
rope cable, a block and tackle and two
smaller lines
Meantime several of the life savers set
upon the beach a framework consisting
OF two large timbers crossed 1t was
intended to support the shore end of the
ca BILE.
Soon the drag upon the heavy rope
ceased. A moment later signal showed
that 1t had been made fast to the mast |
The life savers hauled it taut and quick !
ly adjusted the breaches buoy This.
true to its name. looked like nothing else |
than large pair of leather trousers
suspended from sort of pulley that
ran along the cable 1t was pulled back |
and forth by means of the smaller lines |
Hauling away Justify, the life savers |
sent the buoy dancing out over the |
waves. The children watched it with |
intent eyes. That small leather pouch, |
about in the gale as though |
it were a sheet on a clothes line, car
pie on the wrecked steamer If it 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 if it failed.
Swiftly the buoy ran out to the boat.
There was moments pause as the
sailors fastened some one into the
breaches. Another signal followed
Haul away commanded the ife-sav-
ing captain. The eager life savers and
helping farmers pulled with a will, and
Ihe loaded buoy, swinging over the side
Ut the steamer, started on it's perilous
trip across the surging pillows.
The cable sagged under the weight.
and the angry waves. leaping up like
hungry dogs, almost caught the buoy
and its living burden Nearer and
nearer they surged as the buoy ad