Darry the Life Saver | Page 3

she
lives. I have made all preparations, so that she will be provided for, and
my sister also. Do you understand me?"
"Oh! yes, sir! But I hope we may both pull through!" cried the boy,
earnestly.
"So do I, for life is sweet; but it may not be. Now, lad, about yourself,
and I am done. Remember all that I have taught you. Then you will
grow up 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