Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-21

Fortunately the tide was making to-
ward the shore Of the island. I selected
a spot where the huge, rolling waves
seemed to break more smoothly than
elsewhere, which argued a greater depth
of water over the barrier. less roughness
and fewer possibilities of being wrecked
on the jagged points Of the coral reef.
Dousing the sail. unshipping the tiller
and rudder. and pulling the oars with all
my strength after an unuttered prayer,
shot the boat directly toward the spot i
had chosen Just before ] reached IL j
threw the oars inboard, seized one OF
them. which l wished to use as a steering
oar, and stepped aft past my lady, VINO
sat little forward and well down in the
bottom OF he boat / braced myself in
the stern sheets and waited. We were
racing toward that reef with dizzy speed.
rising with the uplift up the wave. i had
just time for one word.
''If we die" I shouted, remember that
l have been your true servant always"
She nodded her head. her eyes glisten-
ing, and then lost sight of her. A huge
roller overlook us. The little boat rose
and rose and rose, with giddy. furious
motion. Suddenly 1t began to turn. III
it went broadside to the reef and a wave
caught it. or one broke over IL, we should
be lost, but had foreseen the danger. l
threw out my oar. and with every pound
of strength in arm, leg and body l thrust
blindly, desperately, against the thrust or
the sea. 1t was an unequal combat-a
man against the Pacific ocean. l couldn {
have maintained il for long. And yet il
seemed hours. The strain was terrific,
OF all the tasks I ever attempted that
taxed my strength the most-save one, as
you shall see. Sweat poured from me.
my heart throbbed, my pulses beat. my
head rang. 1t was not in human power
to continue / was about to give way
and let go all when 1 cast one glance at
my mistress. l saw her pale face staring
at mine. My strength then was about
gone, but that look of appeal, entreaty
and confidence nerved me for one last, SUI
preme effort.
There are not many men with as little
skill as I who could have done what
did. for l held that boat steady. her bows
fairly and squarely .,ointed to the reef, In
spite of the thrust OF the whole Pacific
ocean. The wave We were riding broke
just as We reached the top. We sank
down into what seemed a valley Of water
the breakers roared in our ears. the spray
fell over us like rain. We sank lower
and lower, there was a sound OF grinding
along the keel. We had struck the cora
evidently. l thought this was all. fol
another and the bottom would have beer
ripped out Of her; but no, We were Over
in safety.
The last remainder of the wave broke
fairly over us and struck me in the bach
as 1 stood aft with such force as to bring
me to my knees. However. in that posi-
ton I acted as a sort Of breakwater and
the dinghy was not completely filled. AL
though she had shipped quantities OF sea
she still floated. The force with which
We had been thrown over the crest Of the
wave drove us landward with tremendou.
speed 1t was terrific. / was stunned
for a moment. but the sweetest voice IL
the world recalled me to my senses.
1T was glorious. magnificent cried m,
mistress. exultantly. Are you hurt! Arr
We safe?''
Her clothes had been drenched, o
course, but she was otherwise unharmet
and there was strange light in her eyes
There is not another man on earth,
she exclaimed as I stared breathless ant
speechless. who could have brought mt
over that awful maelstrom in safety,
am sure"
Not many white men, 1 replied, GLAD
for her praise, but natives in theil
canoes. doubtless a plenty
But a light canoe, easily managed,
she said. sis not a great, heavy whale
boat. like this dinghy"
No" I admitted. as I struggled to my
feet. there is a difference" as, indeed
there was.
But you are not hurt?" she asked
mo. my lady, l am not hurt. L an
swered. God has preserved me thus
far
For me-" she said, softly.
For your service l answered. grave.
ly. quite understanding that was what
she meant.
And now to make the landing. The
boat, while it had come to a standstill
was filled with water, but I couldn't stop
to bail it out then, SO / stepped carefully
forward. shipped the oars and rowed
slowly forward across the lagoon.