Winner Stories

Next Winner (47) | Previous Winner (45)

down at the bottom of a boat in close proximity to some
silveryskinned fishes, and her father was holding her hand.
Wildly they tossed for what seemed to her a very long time; but at
length fresh voices were heard, the keel grated on the shore, she
felt herself lifted up and carried on to the beach. Then, with an
effort, she stood up once more, trembling and exhausted, but
conscious that mere existence was rapture.
Raeburn paused to reward and thank the men who had rescued them in
his most genial manner, and Erica's happiness would have been
complete had not the coast guardsman stepped up in an insolent and
officious way, and observed:
It is a pity, Mr. Luke Raeburn, that you don't bring yourself to
offer thanks to God almighty!
Sir, replied Raeburn, when I ask your opinion of my personal and
private matters, it will be fitting that you should speak not
before!
The man looked annihilated, and turned away.
Raeburn grasped the rough hands of his helpers and wellwishers,
gave his arm to Erica, and led her up the steep beach.
Later on in the evening they sat over the fire, and talked over
their adventure. June though it was, they had both been thoroughly
chilled.
What did you think of when we were in the water?' asked Erica.
I made a deep calculation, said Raeburn, smiling, and found
that the sale of the plant and of all my books would about clear
off the last of the debts, and that I should die free. After that
I thought of Cicero's case of the two wise men struggling in the
sea with one plank to rescue them sufficient only for one. They
were to decide which of their lives was most useful to the
republic, and the least useful man was to drop down quietly into
the deep. It struck me that you and I should hardly come to such
a calculation. I think we would have gone down together, little
one! What did you think of?
But Erica's thoughts could not so easily be put into words.
For one thing, she said, I thought we should never be divided
any more.
She sighed a little; for, after all, the death they had so narrowly
escaped would have been so infinitely easier than the life which
lay before her.
Clearly we are inseparable! said Raeburn. In that sense, little
son Eric, we can still say, 'We fear nae foe!'
Perhaps the gentle words, and the sadness which he could not
entirely banish from his tone, moved Erica almost more than his
passionate utterances in the morning.
The day was no bad miniature of her whole life. Very sad, very
happy, full of danger, conflict and strife, warmed by outside

Next Winner (47) | Previous Winner (45)

Winner Index