Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-07-12


ter 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 followed his Instructions, but
when he expected some reply, he found the ex-
citement of the scene had ended in her fainting.
Knowing we'll, from past lecturesof his friend
Drystick, what was thesproper treatment OF
lady under. these circumstances, and that the
best practice was instantly to lower the head,
Herbert, (no ways reluctant, be it confessed,)
caught her light and graceful figure in his arms,
and while the long dshevelled hair fell down
trcaming with water. he raised ner little tiny
feet as she lay in his embrace likeapale statute.
Even in that time Of excitamentt 10 could not
help nomentarily glancing, wisit 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
believing that nothing could snrpass her beauty.
Come along quickly, my boy, said he, turn
to the brother, who, to his astonishment, was
SO overcome with the dangers through which he
had Iassed, that he remained aoundering 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, 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 go and get II draught
Of wine and some dry clothes at the village inn,
and you will soon be all right"
"Oh, shall die shall die ! y
/" 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. Make an effort to
come along. You will soon be out of it. So,
man, that. is it, My eyes, what tremendous
lightning Ahoy there-Dittlsham, ahoy
Help" cried Herbert, shouting with the voice
of a steator, overjoyed and restrung with the
delight of having saved two more fellow-crea-
lures.
That flash of lightning had done good service,
for some of the old fishermen looking out from
the village had caught sight of the three strug-
glers, and perceiving lady lying helpless in the
arms of one, and the other foundering in the
water, two or three men rush ID down.
L" Here sir, give me the lady," cried one.
"No, thank you-never while livc," said
Herbert. "lIere, you may take this gentleman
off my waist, if you like. That is right. So,
well done. Now, run one of you over to the
inn, tell them to make roaring fresin their best
bedrooms, get plenty of blankets and mulled
port wine, and if they have no wine, some hot
spirits and water.
cay, ay, sir" cried the men, hearing at
once, from the decisive tones of Herbert s voice,
that they were speaking to one accustomed to
command and of a superior rank to themselves,
and in five minutes more Herbert bore his love-
ly burthen into the little village inn and hav-
ing moistened her lips with wine, she eventual
ly opened her eyes, and uttered the words, d" My
brother F"
All safe," said Herbert.
A gentle pressure of the hand returned th'
lady's thanks more expressively than word
could have uttered, and if Herbert had doubted
how well his heroic labors were appreciated
that doubt would have been dispeled by som'
words that followed.
81 do not quite hear" knecling and placing
his ear close to her lips
See to your own clothes before you catcl
cold"
God bless you said Herbert, " will ,
pressing her fingers to his lips and then, as h
covered them carefully over from the cold, h
SAW her gentle eyes close, and the big, brigh
tears gush from under those long and dark,
fringed lids.