Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-08-16
From the New York Despatch.
The Rescue.
FROM SKETCHES BY THE CAPTAIN.

1t was in the month of February 1881,
a bright moonlight night and intensely
cold, that the little brig commanded lay
quietly at her anchors inside ofthe Hook.
We had hard time Of it, beating about
for eleven days off this coast, with cutting
northeasters blowing, and snow and sleet
falling for the most of that time. For
ward, the vessel was thickly coated with
ice, and it was hard work to handle her,
as the rigging and sails were stiff and yiel-
ded only when the strength Of the men
was exerted to the utmost. When at
length we made the port, all hands wore
down and exhausted, we could not have
held out two days longer without relief.
"a bitter cold night, Mr.. Larkin,' as
/ said tarried for moment on deck to fin
ish my cigar.
The worthy down-easter buttoned his
coat more tightly around him, looking up
TO the moon-and felt Of his red nose be-
before he replied
ats whistle, captain, as we used to
say on the kenneheck. Nothing lives
comfortable out Of blankets in such night
rs this
"The tide is runniag out swift and
strong; it will be we'll to keep sharp
lookout for this floating ice, Mr.. Larkin."
"Aye, aye sir" responded the mate,
and went below.
"Two hours afterwards, was aroused
from sound sleep by the vigilent officer.
Excuse me for disturbing you, captain"
said he, as he detected an expression Of
vexation on my face; shut / wish you
would turn out and come on deck as soon
as possible
"Why, what's the mater, Mr.. Larkin?"
Why, Sir, have been watching cake
Of ice that swept by at little distance a
moment ago; saw something black upon
it; something that l thought moved; the
moons under cloud, and could not see
distinctly, but so help me God, believe
there's child floating out to sea, in this
freezing night, on that cake Of ice."
We were on deck before either spoke
another word. The mate pointed out
with no little difficulty the cake of ice
floating off to the leeward, and its white
glittering surface was broken by black
spot; more could not make out.
"Get me the glass, Mr.. Larkin, the
moon will be out of that cloud in mo-
ment, and then we can see distinctly"
~ kept my eye upon the receding mass
Of ice, while the moon was slowly work.
ing her way through heavy bank Of
clouds. The mate stood by with a glass.
When the full light fell at last upon the
water, with brilliancy only known in
our northern ATTITUDES l put the glass to
my eye. One glance was enough.
"Forward there" shouted at the top
Of my voice, and with one bound l reach
ed the main hatch and beganto clear away
in the ships yawl.
Mr.. Larkin had received the glass from
my hand, to take look for himself
"My God!'' he said in whisper, as he
set to worke to aid me in getting out the
boat-"my God, there are two children on
that cake Of ice!''
Tive men answered my hail, and walk
ed laziily aft. In an incredibly short
space Of time we launched the cutter, into
which Mr.. Larkin and myself jumped,
followed by the two men who took the
oars. | rugged the tiller, and the mate sat
beside me in the stern sheets.
ssDo you see that cake Office with some-
thing black upon it, lads?" cried; ssput
ne alongside Of that, and I'll give you a
bottle Of rum each, tonight, and months
extra wages when you are paid off,
The men bent to their oars, but their
strokes were uneven anc feeble. They
werp nsed mp BY the hard duty Of the
saings fortnight, and though they did
d If bsst, the boat made little more way
DIM the tide. This was long chase
md Mr.. Larkin, who was suffering as he
NV how little we gained cried out
"Pull, lads-I'll double the captains
psiEe; two bottles Of rum, and two months
pay; pail lads, for the love Of God, pull!''