Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-05-03
MISCE L L A N Y .
SKETCHES BY THE CAPTAIN.
THE RESCUE.

1t was in the month of February, 1881, bright
moonlight night and intensely cold, that the little
brig commanded lay quietly at her anchors inside
of the Hook.
We had hard time Of it, beating about for ele-
ven days oil this coast, with cutting north casters
blowing, and snow and sleet falling for the most of
that time. Forward, the vessel was thiclly coat
ed with ice, and it was hard work to handle her. as
the rigging and sails were stiff, and yielded only
when the strength of the men was exerted to the
utmost When at length we made the port, all
hands were worn down and exhausted. We could
not have held out two days longer without relief.
ga bitter cold night, Mr.. Larkin," said to my
mate, as l tarred for moment on deck to finish
my cigar.
The worthy Down Easter buttoned his coat more
tightly around him, looked up to the moon, and felt
his red nose before he replied
"lts whistler. captain, as we used TO say on
the Kennebeck. Nothing lives comfortable out of
blankets in such night as this"
1.-The tide is running out swift and strong it will
be well TO keep sharp look out for this floating ice
Mr.. Larkn."
''Aye, aye, sir" responded the mate, and went
below.
| Two hours afterwards, was aroused from a
sound sleep, by the vigilant officer.
Excuse me for disturbing you. captain" said
he, as he detected an expression of vexation in my
face, "but wish you would turn out and come on
deck as soon as possible"
''Why, what's the matter, Mr. Larkin? ?"
"Why, sir, have been watching large cake
of ice that swept by at little distance, moment
ago; saw something black on it something that
thought moved--ihe moons under cloud and |
could not see distinctly, but so help me God | be-
lleve there's child floating out to sea in this free
zing night, on that cake of ice"
! We were deck before either spoke another
word. The mate pointed out with no little difficult
ty, the cake of ice, floating off to the leeward, and
vile
spot more l could not make out
"Get the glass, MIR. Lsrkn," said, "the moon
will be out Of that cloud in moment and then we
can see distinctly"
/ kept my eye upon the receding mass Of ice,
while the moon was slowly working her way thro'
a heavy bank of clouds. TIE mate stood by with
the glass. When the full light fell at last upon
the water, with brlliancy only known in our
northern attitudes, put the glass to my eye. One
! glance was enough.
FORWARD, thereto hailed at the top of my
voice. and with one bound reached the main hatch,
anG began TO clear away the little cutter which was
slowed in the ships yawl.
Mr.. Larkin had received the glass from my hand !,
TO take a look for himself. "My God'' he said +,
in a whisper, as he set to work to aid me in getting
out the boat-"my God, there are t,oo children on
that cake of ce!"
Two men answered my hail. and walked azily
aft. In an incredibly short space oftime we launch
ed the cutter, into which Mr.. Larkin and myself
jumped, followed by the two men who took the
oars. j rugged the tiller, and the mate sat beside
me in the stern sheets.
''Do you see that cake of ice with something
black upon it, lads" cried; 'put alongside Of
that, and I'll give you bottle Of rum each, to-
night, and months extra wages when you are
paid off,"
The men bent to their oars, but their strokes were
uneven and feeble They were used up by the
hoyd I,fryo Oh Dtott nd
they did their best, Il boat made little more way
than the tide. This was losing chase, and Mr..
Larkn, who was suffering torture as he saw how
little we gained, cried out
"Pull, lads--I'll double the captains prize; two
bottles of rum and two months pay-pu lads, for
the love Of God, pull"
convulsive effort at the oars told how willing
the men were obey, but the strength ofthe strong
man was gone. One Of the poor fellows washed us
twice, in recovering his oar and then gave opt the
other was nearly as far gone. Mr.. Larkin sprung
forward, and seized the deserted oar.
clay down in the cotton of the boat" said he tC
the man, "and captain, take the other oar; we mus
row for ourselves"
took the second mans place. Larkn had stripped
to his Guernsey shirt, and as he pulled the bow,
waited for the signal stoke. came gently but firm
and the next moment we were pulling long, stea
DIV stroke gradually increasing in rapdiiy until thu
wood seemed to smoke in the row-locks. Wekep
time, each by the long deep breathing OF the other
e Such pull! We bent forward until our faces al
h most touched our knees, and then throwing all on
strength into the backward movement, drew on tn
oar until every inch Of the space covered by tn
sweep had been gained. Al every stroke the boa
r shot ahead like an arrow discharged from bow
Thus we worked at the oars for fifteen minutes
seemed to me as many hours. The sweat role
:. off Of me in great drops, and was enyeloped in
steam generated from my own body.
care we almost up it, Mr.. Lsrkin 2" gaspe
: out
y "Almost, csptain-don't give Up for tho love
onr dear little once at home, den't give up csptaiu.