Part 58 (1/2)
”Do you love Joe,--Rita;--love hio out for hie I love Joe I always loved him”
In that moment, I made up my mind
”If we come back, little woman,” I cried, ”it will be down there at the end of the Island Run horand-dad and the others in some boats It isn't so bad down there Watch out for us
”If I don't come back, Rita,--dear, little Rita----”
I took her face in my hands and pressed my lips on hers
I ran from her, up over the cliffs, away to the far side of the horn, where the eddy made the sea quieter I threw offinto the water Out, out I plunged, and plunged again, keeping under water ht in the terrible rush three hundred yards straight out fro, yet I was unafraid The sea was hed at its buffeting I defied it What cared I? What had I to lose?--nothing!
And,--I ht win Joe for Rita, and make her happy
In the very spirit of ht for me, forces that faint-heartedness and fear could never have conjured to their aid
On,--on I battled,--going with the rush,--holding back a little,--and easing out, and out, all the time toward the Rock
Half an hour passed;--perhaps an hour,--for I lost count of ti But, at last, battered and half-s, I found ht upon The Ghoul As I was lifted up, I strained my eyes toward the teeth of the rock
Joe Clark,--that Hercules ofon desperately:--no hope in his heart, but loth as ever to admit defeat, even to the elements
With tremendous force, I was thrown forward As the wave broke, I flashed past Joe in thesure I should miss,--for it was a thousand chances to one,--but I was stopped up violently I tightened my clutch in desperation I pulled e of the rock, clinging to it precariously,Joe's My face came up close to his Almost he lost his hold at the suddenness of
He shouted to me in defiance, and it surprised me how easily I could hear him, despite the hiss and roar of the waters I could hear him more easily than I had heard Rita on the beach at Neil Andrews', so long, long ago
”My God! Bremner,--where did you come from? What d'ye want?” he shouted
”I want you, Joe,” I cried, right into his ear ”Rita sent ood,” he replied despairingly;--”nobody gets off'n this hell alive”
”But we shall,” I yelled ”Rita wants you She loves you, Joe Isn't that worth a try, anyway?”
”You bet!” he cried, as the water dashed over his face, ”but how?”
I screao when I shout Drop on your back After that, don't o under It's our only chance”
He nodded his head