Butte record., 1855-01-13

est John Wesley's followers, proposed,
in a calm, steady voice, that each and
all should kneel down and pray but the.
affrighted mass, now wavering ana strug
Cling to the hatchway, paid no attention
to the good mans suggestion for each
strove to reach the deck as though 1t
were heaven of safety-each instinct
lively shrank from the idea Of peIishing
in that dark dreadful cabin, and the sell
fshness of man came out and developed
itislf even in that maddening crowd, as
they pushed each other aside, and strug
gled who should be first to reach the
door.
"Charlie Where are you :" exclaim-
ed Frank Hardingstone's mistaken voice,
as he emerged already dressed from his
cabin, into the seelhing confusion of the
saloon.
Here - said Charlie, struggling to
free himself from the embraces of a
stout old French woman, who, wild with
terror, was choking the lad, as she clung
round his neck and impored him to be
her preserver. "Here | am, Frank !;
we're aground, | think | want to get
on deck and make myself useful, if this
ord woman would let me go"
Charlie freed himself from tho vene-
rable DANES embrace, but she clung
hard 10 his garments, and he was forced
to slip out of the dressing gown which
he had put on at the first moment of
tie alarm, and leaving it in her grasp,
made his escape, clad only in his Shirt
and trowsers. When he reached the deck
he found Frank already there, having
put hImself under the captains orders,
and now lending his assistance to rest re
discipline as far as possible, an to clear
the wreck. The huge ship hcaved and
sbivered in her throes, as wave after
w.vs washed her farther and farther on
20 the shoal the fog, too, added to the
confusion of the scene, and as it became
doubtful whether her timbcrs could stand
against the violence Of the successive
shocks, even the sturdy seamen began
to hint at her going to pieces. and a cry.
though none knew whence it first arose,
thrilled from stem to stern, '' The boats
the boats launch the boats ~
By Him that made me I'll strike
the first man that stirs without orders"
cried the captain, heaving blold-axe
above his head, his voice rising through
the confusion of the crew and the dash
of the eaping waves.
''Can the boats live in such sea :"
whispered Frank, as he stood by the cap
tain's side, prepared to lend him any as
sistancc he might require.
Undoubtedly, sir !" was the reply !;
otis our only chance. Wen get the
women and children in first Mr.. Hard
ingstone, YOU are man take charge
of the hrboard boat let no man into it
without orders ; We may save them all
yet !" and the captain sprung to the
starboard boat, laid hold of the davits,
and sang out, Lower away, men, easyl"
whilst Frank, in hurried whisper, gave
his orders to Charlie, who was as cool as
a cucumber throughout.
:" Charlie, keep the hatchway with the
steward he s bold fellow-don't let
single man up till the women and chill.
dren are all on deck. If any fellow
runs rusty, knock him down ~
BY this time order was to a certain
degree restored. The passengers, in
deed, were in f.ightful state below,
when they found their egress barred, as
they thought, so arbitrarily from all
hopes Of safety but on deck every man
had his own duty to perform, and the
magic power of discipline, assisted by
the dawn which was now struggling into
light, bid fair TO give them every chance
of safety that knowledge and experience
could suggest. But one man was mutt
nous strong, black-bearded fellow,
with dogged, lowering countenance,
who had been most assidious in helping
Iiardingstone to lower away the larboard
boat, no sooner found it launched than
he made a rush for the side, to place
himself, as he hoped in safely, regard
less of the helpless and the weak.
6 Stand back - said Frank. in a voice
of thunder; q wait for your turn"
''Turn -" growled the man; "who
made you skipper :" Dye think I'd lose
my life for land lubber ike you -
warn you y said Frank, clenching
hls Est. AMI looking dangerous. The