The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-04-11
WHEN THE ICE LEFT GUNNER COVE
In Which Lad is Taught by Bitter Experience the
Danger of Procrastination

By George c.. Lane

L
that the entire sheet would soon be
broken into pieces; if that hap
pened, he ought to have no trouble
in starting up the motor and in
getting back to the cove again be-
fore it was dark.
As he advanced. however, he no.
ticed that the boat was lower than
usual. The rough treatment OF
the last two weeks had probably
caused a leak. He had almost
reached the craft when an open
space that was growing continually
wider stopped him. There was no
time to lose. Using his oar for a
pole, he vaulted the widening
space and moment later had
reached the launch. There was
nearly twelve inches of water in
the bilge; the lower rim of the
balance wheel was covered. For
ten minutes Gene worked hard at
the pump, then he tried the spark;
there was current enough and
plenty of gasoIene.
The ice that still inclosed the
launch prevented him from trying
to use the engine, but wind and
tide soon carried the craft into the
Race. and there the combing seas
began rapidly to break up the foe.
Great chupks of ice drove crash
ing against the launch. Through
a crack, where two of her planks
had been bent inward, water was
entering in widening stream.
As soon as the stern was free,
Gene began to work desperately
at the motor, but the cylinders
were stone cold. Soon he had to
pump again; he pulled and pushed
on the plunger for another ten
minutes and then tried once more
to start the engine.
Although he had neglected the
launch, he thought great deal of
her, and each time that a great
cake of ice banged against her he
WINGED. She was leaking more
than ever now; he dared not leave
the pump long enough to warm Up
the motor. To save the craft was
harder task than be had bargained
/ for.
1t had grown almost dark. Ahead
of him, only a short distance to
the eastward and little out of the
probable drift of the launch, was
the west end of Lanman's Reef,
a half-mile ledge that was covered
only at high or nearly high water.
The tide was ebbing and it was
two hours from the slack. Gene
decided that his only chance OF
saving the launch and himself as
we'll was to reach the reef. Seiz-
ing the oar. he began to paddle
furiously. He was encouraged to
find after little that the padding
was bringing him in closer to the
end of the reef, but he was in a
sinking boat-the water was al
ready over the flooring. Not dar-
ing to waste precious seconds in
bailing, he padded on with every
ounce of his strength. If the tide
should sweep him past the reef,
he would be carried out into the
open sea and the launch would 90
down under him.
In the swift tide of the Race the
ice sheet had completely broken up
and the pieces were spreading out
Breathless from his exertion he
padded frantically, for be saw that
he was losing ground. In another
minute he had to admit to himself
that with only one oar he could not
possibly reach the end of the reef.
! 1t occurred to him at once that
even in that ice-cold water he could
probably swim faster than he could
paddle the launch. Swimming, he
might be able to make the reef
But there was the launch-he had
started out to save it, and even
now he was as determined as ever
j to do so.