Evening star., 1926-06-20

JUMP, CAPyN,
sang In the ears for minutes after
ward
A stunted cedar, torn from the head
land by the gale, whirled down past
the boathouse, sprinkling the crowd
with flying soil and sand. In the
Illumination OF the lightning the
stranded ship had been clearly seen,
partly dismasted, swept by tremen-
dous seas that rolled straight onward
to shore, bearing bits of wreckage.
The tiny dancing speck at her bows
must be the lifeboat, fighting for po-
sition. Men and women spread out
along the shore as the first Wreckage
came in. holding hands. lanterns and
lines with each little group, intently
watching all things flung up by the
combers.
a shout announced a find. Eager
hands dragged from the surf broken
chicken coop, with one scraggy, be-
draggled. half-drowned hen in 1t, sur
yivor of the voyage through sheer
unf1tness as food. Folk greeted 1t
with laughter. They were all too
wrought up to be able to control i'm
pulses Old Bob took the hen in his
arms, clucking to II: bearing IL 10 his
shack and giving 1t room in rabbit
hutch. He returned TO his watch.
They told him the boat was leaving
the wreck. In the next fash of light
ming he saw 1t, a fleeing, dizzy speck
among the savage combers. Bob hung
coil Of line on one arm, took up his
long boathook. and stood midthigh
deep in the kissing backwash OF the
breakers.
"And now says she. Harry. next
thing. is We'll marry
She looked like a siren fair in his
brown face.
That's the ticket says Grady, a par
son get ready.
And arter the long splice We'll
splice tn mainbrace.
low can he sing, with wreck
there?" a woman muttercd.
"He don't know" Chattered another.
"Wot, don't know there's a wreck"
Don't know he's a-singin'. He's
queer, Bob Stafford is"
Stand by!' screamed the cripple.
"She's rolled over in the surf! There,
swain's crazy"
VERY soon the watchers saw things
riding in on the crests. Soon
every hand was engaged. The boat
itself. non-capsizable in theory, could
nevertheless he rolled over; and that
had happened. spilling out everybody.
The boat rode high, just beyond the
breakers. soaring landward. Some
dark figures, part of the crew, clunS
to her gunwales, steering her end on.
In the broken water of the beach.
heads and arms appeared, to be caught
and dragged to safety, or to be missed
and taken back by the sea until an
other attempt could be made. A lad
was dragged clear, wearing a life-pre-
server. A ships name showed black
and gistening in the lantern light.
"Ladywell," a man read aloud.
Old Bob Stafford heard. but made no
comment, though he knew the name.
1t was that of the most modern ship
of his old firm; the firm that had told
him he lacked dignity, presence.
Doubtless somebody having both dig
nifty and presence was responsible for
the Ladywell being out there on the
Ledges.
The boat was almost in now. And
the people were buster in the SURF.
Everybody was busy. Ike Fergus
staggered out of the welter, his head
unconscious woman with silver hair.
Ike fell, and the sea rolled both back.
Bob Stafford was waist-deep in the
sea even as Ike fell. With sailorly
swiftness Bob cast his line about the
woman, hove the end ashore and bade
men haul Those two were dragged
to safety, and Ike Fergus, coughing
salt water for q moment or two,
plunged back in search of others.
Old Bob fastened the line about his
own waist as the boat scared on q
crest three rollers from shore. Rlght
in the path of the boat two heads
f1oated, and to them swan Bob. with
the life-boat poised murderously over
their heads, the old chap clapped mis-
sinewy hands into two gray heads and
screamed to the men to drag on his
line. Over and over they rolled in the
surf; in swooped the boat. BY inches
the men guiding the boat kept her end
on, and by inches she missed Draining
old Bob with his two gray heads.
"One's the coxswain" cried a man
with a lantern, peering into the two
white faces. Both of the rescued
opened their eyes.
"'T others"
'I know" snapped old Bob. after
one swift glance. John Urdal, amt
your?
1.-THE captain and four hands are
out there STILL" said Urdal in a pre-
else, important voice.
It was as if he addressed a meeting
of directors rather than uttered In
formation regarding a wreck. AS II
he took 1t for granted that he should
be known there.
The coxswain was battered and
half drowned. Those of the crew
who were washed ashore first Joined
those who swan in with the boat.
They fought against the seas, trying
to keep the boat head on and launch
her again. Two men could not make
the trip. Old Bob Stafford was at
the stern before volunteers could be
called for He hoisted his tough old
body aboard taking the coXSWatrS