Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-16

81 PICKED UP THE OARS AND PULLED
DESPERATELY.
of stimulating elements, for 1 was
born for a sailor and, mistaking my
calling, had got attached to a desk in
| stead of a boat. And now / was TAX
ing rest from indoor labor, spending
a week end by the waters 1 loved so
well. The cold wind struck my cheek,
! tingling. and made me for the moment
! forget the dingy place of my daily oc-
cupation.
/ l looked upon the ocean over a bay,
| 4 point of land extending outward on
| either side. There were few ships
riding at anchor. and here and there
was a sail out on the farther waters.
Not far from shore 1 noticed fishing
smack coming before the wind under
single jib. She seemed to be laboring,
and the only person in her was not
sitting still at the tiller, but bailing
desperately. Another eye than mine
was on him. for below me, hurrying
along the beach toward the dock, l
saw a girl. her skirts fiuttering in the
wind. shawl about her shoulders, a
boys cap on her head, seemingly I'M
conscious Of the cold, intent on the
man fighting the waters in the boat.
l took in the situation and, descend
ing from my perch, made toward her
at an angle, joining her before she
reached the dock.
1.-THE man out there seems to be hav-
ing hard time of it." said to her
She heard my words, but otherwise
seemed to be unconscious of my exist
ence. for she said:
Its Bob. The boat is an old tub.
There" She caught her breath as the
bowsprit ducked and stabbed wave, I
seeming inclined to continue to point
downward. while the water swept the
deck. THANK heaven" she went on |
when she saw that the boat righted !
But I'm afraid the next wave will |
sink her"
What are you going to dog" I asked |
as we hurried on, she leading. toward !
the dock.
Going out for him."
"Going out for him, What in2'
The boat put its nose down into an,
other wave, and the girl was too intent /
upon 1t to pay any attention to nv
question. but few minutes later we
were out on the leeward side of the
NoSN peS ohu tue DredkerS, wnere q |
rowboat was fastened. rising and fall
ing. The girl seized the rope tied TO
its nose, but l took it from her and
pulled on it myself When I got the
boat TO the dock I sprang in as 1T rose
on wave, followed by the girl. Loos-
ening the forward line. then the stern !
line. l picked up the oars and pulled
desperately to keep from being blown
upon the breakers. 1t was hard pull
but 1 succeeded
Meanwhile the lnboring boat outside
had drawn nearer and was passing on
a line parallel with the shore some 500
Yards from the end of the dock. Had
been compelled t. pull against the
wind 1 could not have reached Dor
The man in her was evidently irving
10 make the dock or had seen us and
was doing what he could to enable us
10 reach him. for he went about in
hair circle and stood against the wind.
easing his boat as best he could WHOM
ever he saw heavy wave coming.
OUR boat was broad and strong. and :
although we We're every moment In
hanger, believed she would keep right
side up.
The girl was sitting in the stern OF
ne boat and after considerable effort
iad succeeded in shipping the tilier.
As soon as she had done this I made ,
'etter Roadway, not having to keep :
he boat on her course. My helmswo-
nan was evidently used to boats and {