Budd Boyd's Triumph; or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island

by William P. Chipman

Budd and his father looked off in the direction that Judd had indicated, and saw that his declaration was only too true. A mile or so away was the flatboat, sunk nearly to her gunwales in the water, while her one sail flapped loosely in the wind. Mr. Benton was making no attempt to guide the craft, but stood near the swaying mast, clutching it, evidently in sheer desperation. One look told the horrified spectators what had happened. The boat had sprung a leak, and was settling beneath the angry waves.

Mr. Boyd and the lads watched anxiously the boat's progress. A few minutes later it had arrived near enough for them to distinguish Mr. Benton's face, as he clung, pale and terrified, to the slender mast. Certainly he now realized the danger he was in, and knew that he was powerless to avert it.

Three minutes more and the boat would reach the island, for which it was directly coming. Would it keep afloat so long? No! for at that instant a powerful gust of wind swept down upon it, causing it to tremble from stem to stern. For a moment the ill-fated craft seemed to try to shake off the blow, and then, as a tremendous wave dashed over it, it careened, struggled to right itself, then sunk beneath the dashing waves.

Through the heavy rain that now began to fall, the anxious watchers looked for the unfortunate man, and they soon discovered him battling with the angry sea. Another moment and Budd had sprung into the yawl that was moored at the wharf, and before he could be prevented had seized the oars and was pulling off toward the struggling man.

The wind was against him, and the boat was tossed like a bit of cork upon the waves; still he slowly approached the spot where he had last seen his old employer. It was evidently a hard struggle, but with bare head and resolute face the heroic lad pulled on. At length he reached Mr. Benton, and with great difficulty drew him into the little boat.

The wind lulled for an instant, and, laying his exhausted companion down in the yawl, Budd took advantage of the circumstance and turned the tossing boat for the island.

Half the distance, under his vigorous stroke, was gained, when the wind swept down in greater fury upon him. It is seldom such a gust of wind is experienced in northern latitudes. Trees were overturned, the water was dashed high in the air, and even houses were unroofed by that terrible blast.

When it had passed, Mr. Boyd and Judd arose from the ground to which they had fallen and looked for the yawl. It lay capsized a few rods away, while Budd, with one arm supporting the unconscious form of Mr. Benton, was struggling to reach the shore. But his strength soon failed, and the huge waves rolled within the reach of the waiting man and boy--for both had rushed into the angry waters--two unconscious forms.

As soon as possible, first Budd, and then Mr. Benton, was carried into the house, and with haste their wet clothing was removed, and their cold limbs chafed until the returning warmth told that their sluggish blood was again in circulation, and their lives were spared.

Then a fire was built, blankets warmed, and coffee made. Wrapped up in one, and thoroughly dosed with the other, the man and boy were then put in bed, and were soon quietly sleeping.