very far distant.

He changed his course that the outgoing tide would assist him in reaching
this light that might be coming from a ship, or maybe, from an island in
the Bay. As his powerful strokes carried him along, the sound of the
bell-buoy seemed to come so plainly that he felt sure it was not far
away. If he could but hang on to it for a time, in order to gain second
wind!

Suddenly there was a momentary lift of the heavy fog, and he discovered
he was quite near Bedloe's Island. The powerful search light had
reflected from the arc held aloft in the hand of the Goddess of Liberty;
and the light that danced upon the waves all about him came from the
smaller arcs which were placed along the sea-wall of the Island.

The current now carried him helplessly past the pier where the boats from
the Battery land, but just as he tried to lift his head once more and
yell for help, a motor boat was heard chugging through the fog. His cry
was heard by those in the boat, and in a few moments the flash-light in
its prow was blinding Tom because of its proximity.

A chorus of amazed voices now mingled with the noise of the water dashing
against the wall and the ringing of the buoy, and Tom began to feel faint
and dazed. But almost before he knew what was happening, a powerful grip
caught him on his thick hair, and he was dragged partly out of the water.

A commanding voice shouted: "Help grab the girl--we'll take care of the
man!"

Then Tom heard no more, nor indeed, knew more until he indistinctly heard
a far-off call of "Guard! Guard!" Then he opened his eyes to find he was
on the solid earth, once more. Polly was stretched out on the sand. The
Guards tumbled out of the barracks and rushed for the spot where the
officer stood calling.

While a few of the boys lifted and half carried Tom to the general
assembly room, others ran to assist the boatman with the girl. She was
carefully conveyed to the barracks and the doctor sent for. Meantime the
men applied the Schaefer Method to both the strangers; Tom instantly
recovered himself fully but Polly's faint lasted longer.

When the doctor hurried in, his kindly wife followed. Tom was able to sit
up and tell the story of how the accident happened; then he begged
someone to notify the Wharf Police to keep a lookout in the Harbor as
there might be a yacht in distress after that collision. Also, if inquiry
was made at Police Headquarters, the news was to be given that both Polly
a