Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-08-15

never mind swallowing little water both
of you"
AS Herbert said this, he slipped round
to the side of the rock where they were
and placing himself on the lady's right
hand, she took fast hold of his dress at
the point indicated; and, as she did So
she felt her feet borne away by the river.
Oh, l am sinking!" Oh, | am sinking p
Oh, no, you will not sink. Keep
your head down, and rest on me. Now,
quick, my boy, clasp hold Of the oar"
" | will | willl' gasped the unfortu-
nate man; and the moment he did so,
away went all three on the bosom of that
angry tide, right into deep water.
81 am drowning I am drowning p
shrieked the man.
No, no, you are all right now; keep
your courage up, we will soon be
on shore" And Herbert had now got
sufficiently out of his reach not to be en-
tangled with him, stuck the blade of the
oar between his teeth, and struck out
boldly for the little fishing village of Ditts-
ham. Going up the river, with thestream
and wind, the progress of the tyro was very
rapid; and as Herbert struck out with
the utmost possible energy towards the
lights that still cleaned from the Gotta
gers windows, where the beach shelved
down much more gently than in the ada
cent parts of the river, he succeeded in
about ten minutes in getting them into
the still water, made by the projecting
race as it advanced out to that. narrow
strait of the river where the scene Of this
catastrophe happened.
In few minutes, Herbert struck his
foot against the shore, and instantly rose
up, the water not coming above his waist.
Thank Heaven we are safe p said he,
for the first time, putting his arm around
the waist of the gentle being, who, with
out murmur, had SO implicitly followed
his instruction; but when he expected
some reply, he found the excitement of
the scene had ended in her fainting.
Knowing well, from past lectures by
friend Drystick, what was the proper
treatment of a lady under these circum-
stances, and the best practice was instant
ly to lower the head, Herbert, mo ways
reluctant, be it confessed caught her light
and graceful figure in his arms. and while
the long dishevelled hair fell down stream
ing with water, he raised her little tiny
feet, as she lay in his embrace like pale
stature. Even in that time of.excitem ent.
he could not help momentarily glancing
with an admiring and minute eye, on the
lovely features he pressed to his bosom;
but the darkness was too great to do more
than just assist the imagination in be-
lieving that nothing could surpass her
beauty.
Come along quickly, my boy" said
he, turning to the brother, who, to his as
constituent, was so overcome with the
danger thro'. which he had passed, that he
remained laundering in the water up to
his neck, unable to rise.
Help me, help!" cried he, "all my
strength is gone"
" | cannot help you, my boy; I have to
carry your sister. Come, jump up, like
man; all the danger is over now-put
your arms round my waist, and [ will
walk slowly to the shore. Cheer up, my
lad; we will 60 and get draught of wine
and some dry clothes at the village inn,
and you will soon be all right"
"Oh, | shall die I shall die p
" Nonsense, die! You were very near it
just now, and that is quite enough for
you. Come along, come; put your arm
out; that is it. There, now, clasp me
round the waist with the other hand
so, that is it. Ny eyes, what tremendous
lightning Ahoyi Dittisham. ahov |!
Help!' cried Herbert, shouting with the
voice of-a Stentor overjoyed and restrung
with the delight Of having saved two
more fellow creatures
The flash of lightning had done good
service. for some of the old fishermen,
looking out from the village, had caught
sight of the three strusglers, and perceiy-
ing lady lying helpless in the arms oil
one, and the other laundering in the wa
ter, two or three men rushed down.
Here, sir,give me tie lady," cried one.
p" No, thank you-neFer while [ live"
said Herbert. Here you may take this
gentleman off my wais} if you like. That
is right. So, well doIe. Now, run one
of you over to the inn, tell them to make
roaring fires in their bst bed rooms, Get
plenty Of blankets and mulled port wine,
and if they have no vie, some hot spirits
and water"
AYE, aye, sir" cria the men, hearing
at once, from the decisive tones of Her
bert's voice, that they were speaking to
one accustomed to Command. and of
rank superior to themelves; and in five
minutes more, Herbet bore his lovely
burden into the little village inn; and hav-
ing moistened her lips With wine, she even
tually opened her eye and uttered the
words:
My brotherln
All safe," said Hebert..
A gentle pressure 0 the hand returned
the lady's thanks, NOR expressively than
words could have uttred; and Herbert
had doubted how vel his heroic labors
were appreciated, tina doubt would have
been dispelled BY sole words that fol
lowed