The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-06
cHAPTER VIII.-(contlned. }


their yision--that shield laid on the
misty sea" which was the land. only
Il was not like a shield, but a rocky
spit Of coast land, with FIR trees Tar
Their back. James made for the near
est point. though his heart shrank to
see how far away il was. Fatigue ana
anxiety were taking their toll OF his
vigor Neither one had breath 10
spare even for exultation that the
land was in sight. Little by little
Agatha grew more quiet. though not
less brave. IL took all her strength TO
fight the water-that mighty element
which Indifferent supports or engulis
the human atom. III she reared, she
made no sign. Bravely she Kept her
heart, and carefully she saved her
strength, swimming slowly, resting
often. and wasting no breath In talk.
But more and more frequently her
eyes rested wistfully on James, mute
Is asking him for help. He watched
her minute by minute, often begging
her 10 let him help her.
"Oh. no. not yet; can go on nicely,
II | Just rest little. There--thank
YOU
Once she looked at him with sucn
pain in her eyes that he silently took
her hands, placed them on his shoul-
der and carried her along with his
stronger stroke. She was treasured
| BIZ his strength. and presently she
slipped away from him, smiling con
| fdently again as she swan along
side.
I'm II right now but | suddenly
thought. what II anything should hap
pen to you, and | be left alone "
what IL | should get panicky and
clutch you and drag you down, the
| way people do sometimes.
But / shan't leave you alone, and
you're not going TO do that"
| Agatha smiled. but could only say
Il hope not!'
She forged ahead little, and pres
emily had another moment OF frighl
on looking round and finding that jim
had disappeared. He had suddenly
dived, without giving her warning He
4eama- ma second later putting ana
splitting the bitter brine; but his face
was radiant,
Rocks and seaweed," he cried
The land is near. Come; | can swim
and take you, too, easily. And nov
know certainly just which way Il
go Come. GOMEZ"
Agatha heard il ALL but this time
she was unable to utter a word. jim
saw her stiff lips move in an effor
to smile or speak, but he heard M
voice.
Keep up keep up, dear girl" h
cried Well soon be there. Try, tr.
TO keep up! Don't lose for momen
the thought that you are near land
that you are almost there. We ar
safe, you can go on-only few me
ments more"
Poor Agatha strove as Jim babe her
CALAMITY, hearing his voice as through
thickening wall; but she had a.
ready done her best, and more. Sh
struggled for few half.conscious me
ments; then suddenly her arms grey
limp, her eyes closed, and her weigh
came upon Jim as that of dead pei
| son. Then he set his teeth and nerve
himself TO make the effort OF his life
II is no easy thing to strain forward
swimming the high seas, bearin
, above the surface load which O
land would make strong man stat
ger One must watch ones burden, {
guard against mishap; one must say
DItdlu dllu InuSCit, anu hccp al cs
, for direction, all in a struggle agains
a hostile element.
The goal still seemed incredibly IA
farther than his strength could e
Yet he swan on, fighting against tn
heartbreaking thought that his con
panion had perhaps gone down [
the dim sea-line" in very truth. Sh
, had been so brave, so strong. Sh
had buoyed up his courage when
splendidly against the last terribl
inertia OF exhaustion
Courage" he told himself "W
must make the land" But IL took
stupendous effort. His strokes b,
came unequal, some OF them feebl
! and Ineffective; his muscles ache
with the strain: now and then
strange whtrring and dizziness In hi
) head caused him TO wonder diml
: whether he were about or belo
e water. He could no longer swim wit
/ closed lips, but constantly threw hi
head back with the gasp that mark
the spent runner.
e Holding Agatha Redmond In fror
4 of him. with her head we'll above III
5 water and her body partly supporte
= By the life preserver, he swan som
times with one hand, sometimes onl
a with his legs He dared not ste
y now. lest he be too late in reachin
land or wholly unable to regather h
: force. The dizziness increased. an
a sharp pan in his eyeballs REQUIRE