Page:Fairview Boys at Lighthouse Cove.djvu/60

56 "Oh, I'm sure we can do it!" exclaimed Frank. "Lucy showed us just how it was done."

"I'm thankful for that," went on the light-keeper. "Now, boys, don't bother with me!" he went on, as they advanced toward him. "Just get up aloft and set the lantern going. You see I have an arrangement so I can put it out from down here, without going all the way up. That's to save me climbing the stairs in the morning.

"Well, I was coming down, from having trimmed it, a little while ago, when I slipped. I put out my hand to save myself, and, by mistake I grabbed hold of the wire I had rigged up to put out the light. It put it out, all right, and here I've lain ever since, not knowing what to do. Oh, it was terrible!

"I couldn't tell when anyone would come, being all alone as I was. I called and called, but no one heard me."

The boys thought of the strange figure of the old man, with the lantern, running away, and they wondered if he had heard and had not heeded.

"I couldn't tell what moment some ship might go on the rocks," continued the light-keeper. "For the sailors, not seeing the light, might get off their course. I was glad there was no storm, for that would have made it much worse.

"But never mind about that now. You're here, thank Providence, and you can start the light going before it's too late."

"Come on!" cried Bob, and with a lantern which they had found and set aglow, to light them up the dark stairs of the tower, the three boys ascended. First, however, they had in spite of his protests, made Mr. Floyd more comfortable, by putting a pillow under his head, and straightening him out. They did not want to move him too much for fear one of his legs might be broken.

Up into the lantern tower the lads went. Then with hands