The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-03-10
SsnN0g II A LEO
The Rescue.

bright moonlight nigh ht, and intesely cold, that
the little brig commanded lay quietly at her
anchors inside of the hook.
We had a hard time of it beating about for elev-
en- days off thiscoast, with cutting North casters
blowing, and snow and slee falling for the most
of that time. Forward, the vessel was thickly
coated with ice, and it was hard work to handle
her, as, the rigging and sails were slIH' and
yielded only when the strength Of the men was
exeried 10 the utmost. When at length we made
the port, all hands worn down and exhausted,
We could not have held out two days longer with
out relief
"a bitter cold night, Mr.. Larkin," said to
my mate, as tarried for moment on deck to-
finish my cigar.
The worthy down.easter buttOned his coat
more tightly around him, looking up to the
moon and felt Of his red nose before he re-
piled
"Its whistler, captain, as we used to say on
the Kennebec. Nothing lives comfortably out of
blankets in such night as this"
"The tide is running out swift and strong it
will be we'll to keep sharp lookout for the
floating ice, Mr.. Larkin."
"Ay, ay sir" responded the mate, and went
below
Two hours afterwards, | was aroused from
sound sleep, by the vigilant officer.
Excuse me for disturbing you, captain" said
he, as he detected an expression of vexation on
my face; "but | wish you would turn out aud
come on deck as soon as possible"
"Why-whal's the matter Mt Larkin'"
"Why, sir have been watching a cake Of ice
III at swept by at little distance, moment age;
| saw something black upon it--somethirg that
thought moved. The moons under cloud
and could not see distinctly butt do believe
there's a child floating out to sea, 10 this free.
zng night, on that cake Of ice.
We were on deck before either spoke another
word, The mate pointed out, with no little tf.
iculty, the cake Of ice floating off leeward, and
It's white glittering surface was broken BY black
spot-more could not make out
"Get me the glass, Mr., Lsrkin--the moon will
be out of that cloud in moment, and then We
can see distinctly"
kept my eye On the recedng mass Of ice,
while the moon was slowly working its way
through heavey bank OF clouds The mate stood
by with glass When she fell at last upon the
water with brilliancy only known in our aor.
thern lattud, put the glass to my eye. One
glance was enough.
Forward, there |" shouted at the top Of my
voice, and with one bound reached the main
hatch, and began to clear away in the ships
yawl.
Mr.. Larkin had received the glass lrom my
hand, to take look for himself
My God !" he said in a whisper, as he set to
work TO aid me in getting out-"my God.
there are two children on that cake of ice!
Two men answered my hail, aud walked lazily
at. In an incredible short spoCe OF time we
launched the cutter, into which MIR. Larkin and
myslf jumped, followed by the two men, who
took oars. rigged 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 "rut ne alongside
of that and ri 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 we're used up by
the hard duty Of the preceding fortnight, and
though they did their best, the boat made little
more way than the tide This was long chase
and Mr.. Larkin, who was suffering as he saw
how little we gained cried out
"Pul,, lads-pI double the captains prize ;
two bottles orrum, end two months pay. Pull,
lads for the love Of God, pull d"
A convulsiye effort OF the oars told how willing
the men were to obey, but The irength NJ the
strong man was gone One Of The poor fellows
washed us twice in removing his oar, and then
gave out; the other was nearly as far gone. Nj
Larkin sprang forward and sized the deserted
oar
Lay down in the bottom OF tho boat said he
to the man "aud cap'oin, take the other oar We
must roE for ourselves
took the second mans place Larkin had strip
ped to his Guernsy shirt as he pulled the bow.
waited the signal stroke II came gently, but
firm, and the next moment we were pulling .
long, steady stroke, gradually increasing in "a.
pidIly until the " ood seemed 10 smoke the oar
locks We kept time each by a long, deep breath
ing Of the other. Such pull We bent forward
until our faces amost touched our knees, and then
throwing all our strength into the backward move.
ment, until every inch of the space covered hy
the sweep had been gained. Atevery stroke lh,
! boat shot ahead like an arrow discharged ron a
bow. Thus we worked al the oars for fifteen
minutes it seemed to me as many hours Th,
sweat rolled off he in great drops, and wa
enveloPed IN steam renero'ing from ny oar
body