Budd Boyd's Triumph

as "The Hummocks." A small cove lies south and west of the formation, while the main bay stretches out to its widest extent from the east. The only point, then, wher

causes its waters to rush in or out, according to the tide, through an exceedingly contracted passage-way at its extreme southern end, popularly called "the narrows." The point of contact of the southern with the northern hummock, like the northern hummock with the main-land, is also very narrow; and to its narrowness is added another feature: it is so low, or in mo

, and a few acres in extent, that bears the name of Fox Island. The name has belonged to it since Colonial days, but the reason therefor is u

nd, erected a small house, dug a well, set out trees, planted a garden, and built a wharf--in fact set up thereon a complete habitation. Not long, however, did he endure his self-imposed solitude. Scarcely

should form some definite idea of the island and its relation to "The Hummocks," for o

tuation of that rocky formation to the bay made it a valuable one, for heavy winds from any eastern or southern qu

nt of this weed that Mr. Benton had contented himself with simply gathering it into a huge pile on the summit thereof, above high-water mark, intending to remove it to th

s account that Mr. Benton had directed the lad to engage in this particular work. He was himself obliged to be off on business, and this was a job at which Budd could w

n' if ye work spry ye can git it all up by nite

d he determined to do his best to bring all the weed home that day. He therefore quickened the pace of the oxen, and before nine o'clock had made his first return to the farm. Unloading with h

loads. He therefore pitched away until in his judgment half of the heap was upon his cart. It made a tremendous

rce and depth. Jumping upon the tongue of the cart, he urged his oxen through the tossing waves. To his consternation the water c

ged on the other side with their load unharmed. The rest of the journey home was made without difficulty, and Bu

et back to the farm with it before his employer came. Hardly had he started, however, when it began to rain, and as he passed d

nt of him was a strip of surging and tossing water of uncertain depth, and he instinctively felt that there was a grave risk in attempting to push through to the other side. Bu

had a loaded cart, the wind and tide were both in his favor, and the water had not reached either its present depth or expanse. Now his cart was empty, a significant and important fact; the wind was blowing with gre

the lash until they began the passage. For a rod they went steadily on, though the waves dashed over their backs and rushed into the cart, wetting Bud

suddenly a huge billow lifted the cart and oxe

ess had been brought into danger. Springing, therefore, between them, he caught hold of the yoke with one hand, and with the other wrenched out the iron pin that fastened it to the

shore, good swimmer though he was. With a strength born from the very sense of the danger that overwhelmed him he turned his face toward the fast receding shore and swam manfully for it. For a time he seemed to be gaining, but both wind and tide were against him, and his stre