Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-31

take the airI-auick." he implored.
own heart was normal and strong, but
he feared that the girls might not be
equal to the strain.
At length there came through the
mans daZed sensibilities a sound diff
ferent from those he had been hearing.
1t was a human voice. mingled with
the measured thud of oars in their
sockets. 1t reused him like an electric
current and gave him strength TO cry
out hoarsely. Some one answered him.
Then out of the darkness to seward
emerged a deeper blot. which doomed
mp hugely. yet proved to be no more
than a lifeboat banked full Of people.
1t came to stop within an oars length
of him. From the b1bbIe of voices he
distinguished one that was familiar
and cried the name of Johnny Bren-
nan. His brain had cleared now. a
great dreamlike sense of thanksgiving
warmed him. and he felt equal to any
effort. He was vaguely amazed to
find that his limbs refused to obey
| him.
His own name was being pronounced
in shocked tones. The splash from an
oar filed his face and strangled him.
but he managed TO lay hold of the
blade and was drawn in until out
stretched hands seized him.
An oarsman was saying: BE careful
there, We can't take him in without
swapping"
/ But Brennan's voice shouted. Make
room or I'll bash in your bloody skull"
( Another protest arose. and O'Neil
saw that the craft was indeed loaded
to the gunwales.
I Take the girl-quick" he implored.
I'll hang on. You can-tow me-"
The limp form was removed from his
side and dragged over the thwarts
! while a murmur of excited voices
went up.
Can you hold out for a minute,
Murray" asked Brennan.
"Yes-I think So"
/ I'D give you my place, but you're
too big to be taken in without dan
! ger"
Go ahead" chartered the man in
the water. Look after the girl before
| it's-too late"
The captains stout hand was in his
collar now. and he heard him crying:
Pull. you muscle bound heathens.
Everybody sit still. Now away Will
her, men. Keep up your heart. Muir.
ray. my boy. Remember il takes more
than water to kill good freshman.
Its only e foot or two farther. and
they've started fire Serves YOU
right, you big idiot. for going over
board with all those boats. Man dear.
but you're pulling the arm out of me
Its stretched out like garden hose
Hey! Cover up that girl. aud you. lady,
rub her feet and hands. Good, Nov
over please so the men can bail"
The next O'Neil knew he was feelin.
very miserable and very cold notwitb
standing the fact that he was wrappe,
in dry clothing and lay so close to
roaring spruce fire that its heat Bills
tered him.
Brennan was bending over him witt
eyes wet. He was swearing. too. in
weak. faltering way, calling upon al
the saints TO witness that the prostrat,
man was the embodiment of every yir
tue and that his death would be
national calamity. Others were gath
cred about, men and women, an,
among them O'Nei saw the docto
from Sitka whom he had met on shin
board
AS soon as he was able to speak h,
inquired for the safety Of the girl h
had helped 10 rescue. Johnny prompt
~ treasured him.
Il Man, dear. she's doing fine. A JIG
ger of brandy brought her TO. gaspln!
like blessed mermaid"
As dawn broke the cannery tende
from the station near by nosed he
way up 10 the gravelly shore wher,
the castaways were gathered and blev
a cheering toot-toot ON her whistle
She was fat bottomed wet sterne,
craft and the passengers of the Ne
- braska trooped to her deck over