The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-07-14

From the " Pride OF The Ness" Narol Story Of h,
Crimem Var.
From his boyhood upwards, Herbert had
always had strongly impressed upon his mind
when hoating up and down .he river, the hor.
rors Of the well-known rock at the mouth of
the river Dart. lie knew how many lives
had been lost upon it, how much property
sacrificed on its trightful altar; and while il
is the wonder ofevery one who visits Dart
mouth that such hideous danger can be left
unbuoycl or unmarked. every body who pass
es up and down the Dart hears some fearful
legend of its past misde ed. and shuddering,
gives it the widest possible berth.
While Herbert was straining his utmost
glance. watching for another CLEAN of tighten
ing to reveal the scene once more, something
like a faint crv was heard.
BY heaven" cried he, starting to his feet,
that cry is from the rock, and it is woman $
voice.
Without further thought. except to get to
the scene Of danger as quickly as possible,
Herbert dashed from his covert
liee,Icss of the Tightening. and regardless
OF the rain. he was speedily wet to the skin
but that was trivial matter.
\fter divers falls and bruises, he contrived
at last to get down to the shore opposite to
the point where he knew the rock was, aud 90
ins slightly up the river, so that the wind
might convey the cry of the sufferers to him,
instead of drowningit, he listened for mo-
mcnt, and distinctly heard the cries OF
"IIclp, help. We are drowning, we are
drowning" '"
where are vou-arc YOU on the rock I? v
"Ycs," shouted back mans voice, We
are on the rock-the water is rising rapidly
on us and our boat has gone down. Qnick-
make haste-make haste, if you hope to save
us
Have you time to wait while run up tc
DittSham for boat ,"
No. no, shrieked back one of the voices
"the water is above our waists already, and
sweeping over us with such force we must be
washed away in ten minutes.
Can YOU swim :"
"No. was the answer
"God help YOU 1t will soon be over, -
muttcrcd Herbert. and fear shall be lost
too. My poor mother" said he, throwing
off his clothes one after another: Z" but it is a
du'v TO try; help me, God of heaven :" cric,,
the youth. dropping on his knee for one mo-
ment then running down As far above the
rock as he thought was practicable, shouted
out
IL will swim to YOU.
lie then plunged boldly into the stream
with uothing on but his shirt and trowsers.
having previously tied the latter round his
waist with his ncchcrchct.
At the time that Herbert ook his leap. the
tide was running strongly up the river. lie
therefore swan boldly down the stream as if
making for Dartmouth, proceeding slantingv
across the river toward the opposite shore,
where the beautiful woods of Grccnawav sha-
dcd the boyi,h steps of the immortal Walter
R.ci.h
Z" 'hu ,u,n, of cL... ...:""t-> u, i:G, 4 L.:
voice up, Where are YOU :" but he heard
no answer, for the westerly storm swept up
the river at that moment with a fresh gust
and drowned the reply. In another second
the heavens were once more brilliant with
tightening and Herbert hchcld. two or three
yards under his lee, tie rugged point of the
rock, like some demon holding up his Jagged
head, while, ciingirg to it, in all the agonv
and desperation of impending death. was a
young man, who clasped in his arms a girl of
some seventeen years
Strange it is, that in single glance the hu-
man mind takes in the whole character OF the
face on which it cazcs. Even in that awful
hour when the fearful! grave that vawncd be-
meath them appeared about to swallow up all
these three beings. Herbert detected in that
cOuntenancc Just the very face that seemed
to have haunted HIN in all the pOetical lav-
dreams OF his soul for wears. Large, fall,
speaking eyes, with small delicate face long,
flowing and luxuriant hair, drenchcd as it was
with rain, and anguish-strcken as those fca-
lures were with the horrors Of such situa-
ton that single glance, while it filled his
soul with the deepest sympathy for the fate of
the talr unknown, nervcd him with fresh cour-
age to strive against the elements, and lit in
his soul stern determination to succeed in
saving her, or to perish in the attempt
Cheer up. he cried, as relaxing his SWIM
ming, he put forward both his hands to guard
himself from being dashed too violently hv the
roaring storm against the sharp and Jagged
edge Of the rock then, as he succeeded in
placing his foot, and setting his back against
the stream, he said to the man, Cannot YOU
swim at all :"
"Oh, heavens no, not bit. -"
Where is your boat -
She struck and filled, and went down in
stantly, when the sqnaIl came on. We were
irving to cross the stream on the Dartmouth
side of the rock, when the sqnall took us.
Stay, said Herbert, /" what stick is that
pointing up"
Nothing but one of the oars entang;ed in
the rock.
IS All right said Herbert Now, listen
to me, putting his face close to that of these
two unfortunate people, whom he could vet
scarcely see in the dark, further than Just to
discern the general outlines of their heads
" You have no time to lose, and YOU must fol-
low implicitly what tell YOU. or we shall all
be lost. will pull this oar from its sticking
place, ard while You put your two hands up
on it-and nothing more, remember-this la
dy must place her two hands upon my left
shoulder. Now, before we start of into deep
water, is there any amount of your clothes that
YOU can get rid Of? The least thing adds to
your weight. Mems clothes are heavy, ladies'
are light, and do not so much signify"
How can get rid of my clothes, they are
all so wet and clinging to me ?"
"Well, will help you; first of all there
is your coat. Can you hold on by the rock
with one hand for a few moments ?"
IL think so. :"
"Very we'll, then, first let 90 your left hand
gently, and | with my right will pull that
sleeve off then let 90 your right hand and
we will pull that off. ="
but there is my pocket-boo in my coat" :"
''llas it much money in it:
"Yes two hundred pounds"
THAT had better have been eft on shore
in boating; Is ut in notes ?"