Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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THE ORACLE 9 about in search of his master, smelling every one of the men. No, he was not there. Suddenly Bob’s father came running to the boat. “Son! son! where are you?” he called. No answer. “Here, men, push off the boat! We've got t’ go in search of my son! Sam, you take the men up to my wife. She'll look after them.”’ ‘There they were, in the boat again, and Jocko was left on the beach. Where was his master? He had left in the boat and the boat had returned without him. He must be out there, alone—Jocko walked to the shore and, wrinkling his nose, looked out over the water. Not a thing could he see. His mind was already made up. He must find his master! Bravely he walked into the foam. ‘The water was icy cold, but he did not feel it. A huge breaker broke over him and he struggled to the surface. When he arose, he found he was out beyond the surf and he struck out for the open sea. He swam for a quarter of an hour or more out toward the wreck. | Sud- denly he sighted an object not more than a few yards from him and his instinct told him it was Bob. Jocko swam to him and caught hold of his coat collar. He turned around and headed for the shore. It told on his strength, this swimming with his mouth gripping Bob’s coat. Several times a wave sub- merged them both and each time he kicked desperately to come to the surface. With his mouth closed all the time it was hard to breathe and many times did he swallow the bitter salt water. The cold was penetrating him to his very bones, causing him to kick more vigorously in swimming. | He could not even pant with his mouth as it was, and when a dog cannot pant it suffers worse torture than can be imagined. Gasping, struggling, calling on every ounce of strength he possessed, exerting every muscle, while what strength he had left ebbing away each moment, Jocko swam heroically on. The storm was ceasing and a heavy fog had set in when a boat washed up on the shore. Out of it stepped Mr. Worthington, supported on either side by husky men. “My son! my son!” came from his lips as he walked toward the lighthouse. | His search had been unsuccessful and the vision of his son at the bottom of the ocean was more than he could bear. Suddenly the atten- tion of one of the party was attracted by two dark shapes on the crest of a breaking billow. He ran forward and it was on that instant that Jocko, with his uncon- scious burden, toppled panting in a heap on the beach. A cry escaped the old lighthouse keeper’s lips as he recognized his son. ‘He is saved! Oh, my son!” he exclaimed as he ran and knelt by Bob. And Bob, in his unconsciousness and delirium, reached out a cold white hand and touched his dog. ‘‘Jocko,”” he murmured.

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8 THE ORACLE pet, whom he named “Jocko,” as the dog was of him. Jocko was always ready for play and fun and Bob taught him many tricks. There was, however, one thing that the dog disliked and that was the numerous storms they have on the coast of New England. During them Jocko would sit at his master’s feet, huddled up close to them, and shiver and shake every nerve in his body. ‘That there dog may be a thoroughbred, but I don’t t’ink he’ll ever make a life- guard,’”’ Bob’s father had said, and although Bob protested he could not help agreeing with it in his heart. One day Bob’s father came in and throwing down his hat remarked. “We're in for a big one, now, sonny. A reg’ler nor’-easter probably blow up tomorrow.” “IT hope no ships will get wrecked,” his son replied, thinking of the storm of ten years ago, when the fishing schooner “Larabee” was wrecked on the shoals off Cape Cod. Mr. Worthington’s words came true for during that night the sea was remarkably smooth, not a breath was there stirring, but on the following morn- ing a squall came up which developed into a furious gale, accompanied by a thunder-storm. All day long the lightning flashed, sending zig-zagging streaks of light through the grey heavens. All day long the thunder crashed, now long peals and now sudden explosions, which sent shivers of fright down Jocko’s spine. All during the storm he never left Bob’s side, so great was his fright. It was late in the afternoon that Bob came running dow n the circular stairs in the tower, after having been up to look at the light. ‘Father! father!” he shouted, “‘there is a ship wrecked on the reef!” Just then there was a distant explosion, and running to the window Bob saw a rocket shoot up into the air from the ship. “A signal of distress!’? murmured he and followed his father out of the door. Jocko, not knowing the cause of this excitement, hesitated an instant, then plunged down the beach after his master. | When the latter arrived at the boat-house, strong hands were wheeling the great boat out of the house. ‘They could not use the cannon for the ship was too far out for the line to reach Now the boat was in the surf and a half dozen men with Bob and his father jumped in. After three or four attempts they got the boat beyond the breakers and put off toward the wreck. Jocko was left on the beach. What was this, anyhow? Why did they not take him, too? He crept into the shelter of the boat-house and waited for the return of the boat. After a long wait he saw an object moving in the water. Yes, it was the boat! But this time it was crammed full of men and the water was rushing in over the gunwale. Finally they landed and the life-savers disembarked, each carrying a sailor. There was Bob’s father, but where was Bob? Jocko ran

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