The Ordway new era., 1922-02-17


slow. did not at once seize hold upon
my heart.
Frantically 1 sprang for the entrance
on the cove. The floor of the cave was
sloping and the water deepened swift
ly as advanced. Soon was founder
ing to my knees, and on the instant a
great wave rushed In. drenching me to
the waist, dazing me with It's spray
and uproar, and driving me back to
the far end of the cave.
With a dreadful hollow sucking
sound the surge retreated. l stag
gered toward the archway that was
my only door to life. The water was
deeper now, and swiftly came anoth-
er fierce thrush of the sea that drove
me back
fed to the far end of the cave, but
the sea pursued me. Swiftly the wa
ter climbed-it flung me against the
wall, then dragged me back. l
clutched at the naked rock with bleed
ing fingers.
Again, after paro1ysm during
which had seemed to stand a great
| way off and listen to my own shrieks,
| there came to me a moment of calm.
| 1 knew that my one tenuous thread
Of hope lay in launching myself into
that wild flood that was tearing
through the cove. I was not a strong
swimmer, but buoyant one. 1 might
find refuge on some half-submerged
rock on the shores of the cove-at
least l should perish in the open, in
the sunlight, not trapped like des-
perate rat. And began to fight my
way toward the opening.
And then a dreadful vision flashed
across my mind. weighted down my
feet like lead, choked back even the
cry from my frozen lips. Sharks !!
The black cutting fin, the llvid belly,
the dreadful jaws opening-no, no.
better to die here, better the clean
embrace of the waters-if indeed the
sharks did not come into the cave.
And then 1 think 1 went quite mad.
1 remember trying to climb up to the
ledge which hung beetling fifteen feet
above. Afterward my poor hands
showed how desperately. And 1 re-
member that once 1 slipped and went
clear under, and how I choked and
strangled in the salt water. For my
mouth was always open, screaming,
screaming continually.
And when saw the boat fighting its
way inch by inch into the cave 1 was
sure that 1t was a vision, and that
only my own wild beseeching of him
to save me had made the face of Du
gald Shaw arise before my dying eyes.
Dugald Shaw was still mending the
boat on the shore of the cove, and
this was mocking phantom.
Only the warm human clasp of the
arms that drew me into the boat
made me believe in him.
The boat bobbed quietly in the eddy
at the far end of the cave, while a wet,
sobbing. choking heap clung to Du-
gald Shaw. 1 clasped him about the
neck and would not let him go, for
fear that I should find myself alone
again, perishing In the dark water. My
head was on his breast. and lie was
pressing back my wet hair with strong
and tender hands.
What was this he was saying? "My
lassie, my little, little lassle!"
And no less Incredible than this 1t
was to feel his cheek pressed. very
gently, against my hair
After little my self-control came
childish crying, lifted my head and
tried to speak. 1 could only whisper,
You came. you camel"
"Of course l camel" he said husk-
fly. "There, don't tremble so-you are
safe-safe in my arms!
After a while he lifted me into the
stern and began to maneuver the boat
out of the cave. l suppose at another
time 1 should have realized the peril
of it. The fierce flow through the
archway all but swamped US, the cr-
rent threatened to hurl US against the
rocks, but l felt no fear. He had
come to save me, and he would. All
at once the dreadful shadow Of the
cavern was left behind, and the sun
shine immersed my chilled body like
a draught of wine. 1 lay huddled in
the stern. my cheek upon my hand.
as he rowed swiftly across the cove and
drove the boat upon the beach.
Everybody but Captain Magnus was
assembled there, including Crusoe.
Crusoe 1t was who had given warning
of my danger. Like wise little dog,
when 1 ignored his admonitions he had
run home. At first his uneasiness and
troubled barking had got no notice.
Once or twice the Scotchman, worried
by his fretfulness, had ordered him
away. Then across his preoccupied
mind there flashed doubt. He laid
down his tools and spoke to the ami
NAL Instantly Crusoe dashed for the
rocks, barking and crying with eager
ness.