Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-04-08

The storm was raging with undated fury.
Casting her eye towards the hapless YES
sell she shuddered 10 see that Il was driv-
ing madly on towards the mos, dangerous
point in the river. where jus, beneath the
fosming surface, lay broad reef OF rocks.
There were not five minutes 5etween tina,
sloop and destruction. Next she perceiv.
ed her husband running al fall speed to-
wards The shore, where lay tossing on the
agiiaied waters little boat, in which she
knew. too well, that he would trust him.
self, TO the great peril Of bis life. Aud he
did thus. wiihou, an instant hesitation
trust hImselfupon the bosom Of The tossing
pillows. She saw him hurriedly unias,en
the boat. and. springing into it, as he
drove il far from the shore with muscu.
lar arm. seize the oars and pull courage :.
ously out from land. The heart Of The
wife sunk within her. as she stood fixed TO
the spot. and saw the frail craft rising now
upon . foaming wave. and now diving
down a. II 1t would sink in the waters,
while her husbands arm seemed feeble as
q child's, as he piled eagerly the oars,
struggling TO reach point in The river
nearly quarter ola mile distant.
The wind seemed 10 sweep along with
redoubled violence--the rain fell in del.
uge Of water. and the broad sheets flight.
ming spread themselves out in rapid sue.
cession on the quivering air, and were
quickly followed by Tremendous and al.
most incessant crashing peals Of thunder.
Every moment the distance between
the tiny boat aud the shore increased but
the sirainng eye Of Mrs. Gray could still
distinguish the form OF her brave husband,
steadily bending TO his oars. But long be-
fore be could reach the spot he feared
would prove fatal 10 the sloop, she had
rushed madly upon the rocks. and was al
most Instantly dashed TO pieces. Mrs.
Cray saw this, and could not restrain a
cry OF anguish. even amid her fears for
her husband. faia~
Henry Gray lsbored now with almos,
superhuman strength aided by the wind,
that was driving against the stern OF his
Ugh, craft. he almost few over the surface
OF the water, lesping from wave.,op 10
Hsve-top, like sea,bird on the wing
But long before be could reach the fatal
spot SIX Of those who trod that vessels
deck, were sleeping their last long sleep
far down the rocky depth Of the nser.--
Three men. who were clinging TO frsg-
ments Of wood, he saved, aud With tins
precious freight turned away from the IA.
tai spot and pulled for the shore.
The darkness Of nigh, was falling
gloomily around, when Gray, his duty
done, commenced his return TO land
The men he had picked up, from fear or
exhaustion, reclined passively in his boat.
and appeared incapable Of afording him
any assistance. But he asked none, his
arm was still strong, aud his courage una
bated. Manfuliy he struggled against the
fierce dripping tempest, and slowly but
surely made headway against il. Night
soon set 10 and hid the shore from view.
But there was one there who could not
forget him nor his need. His wife had
watched him until she could no longer dis
tinguish his form in the boat, and then, by
the glass, she still followed, anxiously, all
his motion. She saw the vessel dashed
10 pieces. and saw her husband reach The
spot, and rescue several men who were
floating about. Then she saw him turn
homeward; but the darkness soon hid him
from her view. Thoughtful and prompt
10 act, ss the wife OF such man should
be, she had large fire built upon the
shore and stood by j, herself. though The
storm was yet undated. and with her
own hands kept up the blaze tina, was to
be the beacon. light Of her husband, amid
darkness and tempest.
Nearly half an hour was passed in the
anguish Of suspense. Then het quick ear
detected. in pauses Of the storm, the faint
sound OF oars. She knew i, was from her
husbands boat. and her heart bounaed
with Joy. pride. and gratitude 10 God
Soon the sounds grew more aud more dis
llnct. coming direct towards her beacon.
fire. At length the boat touched the
shore. and Gray bounded out. and drew il
high up. and beyond the power Of the
strong current he had struggled ssains, 50
msnfully.
"Oh. Henry Thank God that you are
safe !" exclaimed Mrs. Gray, Selling his
arm with both hands, and clinging TO him
with a nervous grasp.
Eyes, let us thank Him, Jane. for what
he has done. And for this guiding fIe lei
me thank you. Without it must. fear.
have been lost"
"Henry Jane r exclaimed in fsmi.
liar voice, one Of the men. who had I'LL
now remained seated. Ia a half supplied
state of mind in the boat. stepping out
quickly as he spoke, and throwing bis
arms around his preserver aud bis wife.
"Oh, my bcy' Is II to you that owe
my life Z"
MY father !" calculated Gray. with a
quick start, turning, and dlsengaging him.
self from his srms--"Is 1t indeed my
father !"
Eyes, my child. Your noble coarsge
has saved your fathers life. was com
ing to visit you, bu, did no, dream ofsaeh
meeting"
Beyond This, we need no. carry the
reader. His own Imagination will Gil up
all that remains. Was moi The father
right in teaching his boy 10 be courageous
Who will answer--nsy