Darry the Life Saver | Page 3

to be a true man. And continue to search for some evidence of your people. That mark on your arm may be of great value to you some day. Hark! I fancied I caught the sound of the breakers just then! It is possible that the time has come for us to part. Good bye, my boy, and God bless you whatever betide!"
Another fierce pressure of the hand, and Captain Harley was gone.
Standing there, filled with horror and dismay, Darry caught a last glimpse of his guardian staggering across the wet deck, and then the gloom forever hid him from view.
The days would come, and the days would go, but always must he remember that the last thought of the noble captain was for him.
He strained his hearing to ascertain whether the captain's fears were well founded, and it was not long before he too could catch the awful pounding of the seas upon the half-submerged reefs.
The helpless brigantine was drifting slowly, but surely to her fate; for there was hardly a place along the whole American coast more dangerous than this, which had in times past proved a graveyard for many noble ships.
Among the tangled rigging was a broken spar, and to this Darry lashed himself, in the faint hope that if it were swept ashore he might still cling to life.
He awaited the impending crash with his heart cold within his breast; for after all he was but a lad, and the strongest men might have viewed the catastrophe with a sickening sense of dread.
Then came a fearful shock, as the brigantine was smashed down upon the jaws of the reef by a mighty force.
After that the seas had her for a plaything, rushing completely over her as if in derision.
Three times the boy was almost drowned by the flood that poured across that slanting deck, and he knew that if he remained there longer his time had surely come. It would be better to cut loose from the mast, and trust his fortunes upon the breast of the next giant wave that, if it were kind, would carry him well over the rocks, and head him for the distant beach.
It was in sheer desperation that he seized upon his sailor's knife and severed the ropes that thus far had held so securely.
Then he awaited the coming of the next comber with set teeth, and held his breath.
A few seconds and it was upon him.
This time the spar, as well as the clinging lad, went sweeping over the side of the vessel, and carried safely above the reef, started in toward the beach on a roller that seemed gigantic.
The spray was in his eyes, so that he could hardly see at all, but at that moment Darry thought he glimpsed a light somewhere ahead; and what the captain had told him about the gallant life savers flashed into his mind.
Somehow, it seemed to give the despairing boy renewed hope.
Perhaps these brave men were watching for the coming of just such flotsam from the wreck, which they must have sighted when the lightning flashed; and would find some means for plucking him out of the raging sea.
CHAPTER II
SAVED BY THE LIFE CHAIN
The line of reefs stood as a barrier to the sea, and after the waves came in contact with the rocks they continued on their course with less violence than before.
Still, it was terrible enough to any one exposed to their fury.
Hope soars high in the breast of youth, however, and life is sweet, so that our hero continued to struggle against the forces to which he found himself exposed.
Again had his eyes caught a glimpse of a burning light on the shore, and somehow it gave him renewed courage to hold on, for he seemed to understand that determined hearts were waiting there, eager to give him a helping hand.
Then some object sped past him, and he caught the sight of flashing oars.
It was the lifeboat!
In spite of the great danger involved in the undertaking, the coast guards had succeeded in launching their boat, and were even now heading toward the wreck on the reef; though the chances of finding a single living soul aboard seemed small indeed, for the billows were breaking completely over her, and she must soon go to pieces.
Darry tried to call out, but his mouth filled with salty water, and in despair he saw the boat pass him by.
Even the lightning failed to illumine the scene just then, or some eager eye might have detected the floating spar and its human burden.
No hope remained save that he might be tossed up on the beach somewhere near the friendly fire that was burning as a beacon.
Once he fancied he heard men shouting during a lull in the roar of the elements; but the