Two American Boys in the War Zone

by Levi Worthington Green

The castaways were observed, and the warship, after passing close to one side, hove to so as to bring the raft under her lee. There she hung, with her engines working only enough to hold against the wind, while she lowered a boat.

The shipwrecked men watched anxiously while the boat fought its way toward them. It was thrown from crest to trough, then back again, and tossed about until it seemed impossible that it could live. There was no trouble about its being able to advance, for the wind swept it resistlessly along. The greatest danger was that it would strike the raft and both be wrecked.

When the boat was opposite the raft its crew attempted to bring it up to the wind. As they came around and the gale struck them broadside on, it seemed as though their destruction was certain. For a few moments the boat was hidden beneath the piling seas, and Captain Foster and his men held their breath in terrible suspense.

Then the boat emerged, but the wind had driven it past its destination. Slowly the boat’s crew battled their way back against the gale. When they were once more opposite, they drew the boat up on the windward side, and let it down as carefully as possible against the raft.

The protection which the warship offered in breaking the force of the wind was considerable, but even then the two craft pounded together in a most alarming manner.

The mate cut the cord that held Sidney, and he and Captain Foster helped the boy to the side. Sidney had not been, like his brother, rendered entirely helpless by the cold, and the prospect of rescue had greatly restored his strength. So by watching until the boat and the raft, in their violent oscillations, were brought to nearly the same level, he was able to spring into the boat, where he was caught by its crew and placed in safety.

Then Captain Foster and the mate turned to Raymond. He was unconscious, and they were obliged to carry him, which was extremely difficult. They left the cord attached to the boy, and threw the end to the boat’s crew, who held it as a safeguard against disaster. By lifting and pulling, Raymond was transferred safely to the boat.

When that had been accomplished it was comparatively easy for the sailors to follow the boys, and the boat started back to the ship. That was a long pull and a hard one, but the nearer they approached under the lee of the ship the less difficult it became, and the shipwrecked party were finally safe on board.

Captain Foster and the boys were conducted to the cabin of one of the officers, where Raymond received the attention of the ship’s surgeon. And the mate and his men were taken forward. Warmth and food were all that Raymond needed to restore him completely, and the others responded to the same treatment.

Captain Foster learned that the ship which had rescued them was the Salzburg, an Austrian torpedo boat destroyer, which was doing patrol duty from Pola as a base. Presently they were visited by the lieutenant in command, a courteous young man who spoke English perfectly.