The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-17

CONTACT WIN me Dedd OI Inc DOdt. ne
alarm was instantly given, and the ma
chinery stopped about the moment when
the barge came in contact with the bar
supporting the rudder of the boat. This
bar upset the small boat, owing TO the
impetus of the ferry boat, and heavy
tide which began to set down the river.
The boat contained two ladies, three
children, two gentlemen and one servant,
beside the two oarsmen. In moment
one gentleman, who was good swim
mer, appeared at the opposite end of
the boat, having Owed under the wheel,
which he says had still slight motion.
One of the sailors soon appeared, nearly
drowning, at distance down the stream,
and was relieved by small boat near
him while, at the same instant, an infant
child was seen, on the waters edge, inn
mediately beside the boat.--The little
innocent Just discovered signs Of lifes
and as plainly showed that it was fast
fleeing. Never did | wish for the pow
ers of an experienced swimmer until
that moment, and am now convinced
that it is duty TO attain them. had
read of distressing casualties, shipwrecks
and drownings, but never did feel such
thrilling agony as that moment OCCASION
ed. is fearful sight TO behold the
thread of human existence severed-to
see the tender and the helpless pass, by
a single step, from time to eternity,
without :he power of extending the small
est assistance. In moment, ere these
conflicting and agonized feelings could
shoot through my brain, a coloured man
& noble fellow dashed into the gaping
wave and presently rose with the little
helpless burthen in his arms. A shout
of JOY welcomed hia- from the specta-
tors, but this feeling was soon changed
on observing that the brave fellow ap-
peared to be incapable of sustaining him.
self and his little charge, and was grad
ually losing strength. We instantly
threw overheard bench, which falling
near him, would in moment have gain
ed it, and saved the child. But it was
otherwise ordered. A boat from the
shore rowed by two seamen. pulled rap
idly for the spot, and encouraged by the
shouts of the beholders, strained eyerv
nerve for fear Of being too late. The
head of the poor black was turned TO-
ward the floating bench which he had
nearly gained, the backs of the rowers
were toward him, and in their haste
they took no time TO look round at his
situation. Shrieks were sent out to
warn them, but too late. When thew
sprang TO their bow, it was upon the
drozpning-they seized by the hair the
generous black (now almost stunned bv
the blow 1.-THE boat passed quickly over
the spot where they had struggled, and
we never saw the poor babe again. A
slight gurgling noise, with faint disccl-
Grafton of the water, showed, as I
thought, where it had just sunk TO rise
no more.
In the meantime, servant woman
was saved on the other side of the boat:
with the two cider children,-one by
the proves of sailor boy, who was an
oarsman in the unfortunate boat, and who
deserves something more than mere en-
ccmiums. After saving the boy, he es-
pied the body of the sinking LADY,. and
still clinging TO his little charge, srrang
at and caught her by the strings of her
hat. But the faithless garment parted
in his hand, and its helpless tenant sunk
beneath him.
At this moment saw at my side the
frantic mother, who had been elsewhere
picked up and put ON board without nv
observing it, Her despair was enough
to have melted the heart of a pirate /.
She had no tears, for grief and despair
had drank them dry. sob! give me
my children - was her cry if YOU
have any pity, give me my children ~
She was shown one of them, Just arriv-
ed with her maid servant. Scarcely OBJ
serving them, the heart Of the mother
yearned after those that were gone and
she cried yes, yes but there are three
of them? She was charitably deceived
with the belief that the other tzUo were
saved. Are you sure," she exclaimed,
-" 10th Of them I" Both, was the re-
ply. Then God bless your lips for
that word."--
II cannot continue the subject, and
perhaps have already said too much
Mr.. Walter Scott, and The Scotch Novels.
The following circumstances, which
we relate upon good authority, go far 10
identify Sir Walter Scott with the author
ship of those popular novels and tales
generally ascribed TO his pen. Some
years ago, Mr.. Joseph Train published
"a small volume of poems, illustrated by
notes, which evinced considerable anti.
quarian research on the part of the su-
thor. Mr.. Train presented Sir (then Mr.l
Walter Scott, with a copy ofthis volume,
| tho anuOtationc nf which .,laoaad Al -