Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-06-26

much more gently than in the adjacent
parts Of the river, he succeeded in about
ten minutes in getting them into still
water, made by the projecting race as it
advanced out of that narrow strait Of the
river where the scene of the catastrophe
happened.
In a few minutes Herbert struck his
foot against the shore, and instantly rose
up, the water not coming above his
waist.
Thank Heaven, we are saved :" said
he, for the first time placing his arm
around the waist of the gentle being who.
without murmur, had so implicitly fol-
lowed bis instructions but when he ex-
pected some reply, he found the excite
ment Of the scene had ended in her faint
ing.
Knowing well, from past lectures of
his friend DrYstick, what was the proper
treatment Of a lady under these circum-
stances, and that the best practice was
instantly to lower the head, Her bert tno
ways reluctant, be it confessed) ght
her light and graceful figure in his arms,
and while the long dishevelled hair fell
down streaming with water, be raised
her little tiny feet, as she Lag In bis en-
brace like pale statue. Even in that
time Of excitement, he could not help
momentarily glancing, with an admlring
and minute eye, on the lovely features he
pressed to his bosom; but the darkness
was too great to do more than ius. assist
the imagination in believing that moth
ing that nothing could surpass her beau.
ty.
"Come along quickly, my boy" said
ne, turning to the brother. who, to his as
tonishment, was so overcome with the
danger through which he had passed,
that ne remained foHndering in the water
up to his neck, unable to rise.
Help me, help" he cried, "all my
strength is gone"
81 cannot help you, my boy, have to
carry your sister. Come, jump up, like
a man; al the danger is over noW-put
your arms around my waist, and | will
walk slowly to the shore. Cheer up NV
lad; we will go and get draught of wine
and some dry clothes at the village inn,
and you will soon be all right"
"Oh, | shall die! | shall die.r'
Nonsense, die! You were very near
itjust now, anu that is quite enough fer
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. Make an effort to come along.
You will soon be out of il NV ewes,
what tremendous lightning! Ahoy, there
-Dittisham, ahoy!-hclp!" cried Her
bert, shouting with the voice ofa stentor,
oveIjOyed and restrung with the delight
of havingsaved two more fellow. crea-
lures.
That fash Of lightning had done good
service, for some Of the old fishermen
looking out from the village had caught
sight of the three strugglerS, and per-
ceiving lady lying helpless in the arms
of one, and the other hOundering in the
water, two o. three men rushed down.
"Here, sir, give me the lady," cried
one.
"No, thank you never while | live,"
said Herbert. "Here, you may take this
gentleman of my waist if you like.
That IS right. So well done. Now, rua
one Of you over to the inn, tell them to
make roaring fires in their best bedrooms,
get plenty of blankets and mulled port
wine, aud if they have no wine, sone
hot spirits ami water"
AYE, aye, SIR" cried the msn, hear
ing at once, from the decisive tones of
Herbert's voice, that they were speaking
to one accustomed to command, and in
five minutes more Herbert bore his love-
y burden into the little village inn, and
having moistened her lips with WIZ, she
eventually opened her eyes, and S4ered
the words, ''My brother"
"All safe" said Herbert.
a gentle pressure ofthe hand returned
the lady S thanks more expires, lively than
words could have uttered, and if Her
bert had doubted how well his heroic la
bOrS were appreciated that doubt would
have been dispellcd by some words that
followed.
al don't quite hear" kneeling and
placing his ear close to her lips.
See to your clothes before you catch
cold"
''God bless you!" said Herbert; T
will, pressing her fingers to his lips; and
then, as he covered them carefully over
from the cold, he saw her gentle eyex
close, and the big bright tears gush from
under those long and darkly fringed
lashes.