The Trinity times., 1855-08-18
saving Two Lives.
From the Pride Of the Mess Story Of
the Crimea.


From his bovhood upwards, Herbert had
always had strongly impressed upon his
MIND, when boating up and down the river
the hotfors Of the we'll 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 frightfol alter; and
while 1t is the wonder of every one who visits
Dartmouth that such hideous danger can
be left unbuoyed or unmarked, everybody
who passes up and down the Dart hears
some fearful legend Of its past misdeed, and
shudderlng' gives it the widest possible berth.
While Herbert was straining his utmost
glance, watching for another geam of light
ming to reveal the scene once more, some
thing like faint cry was heard.
"By heaven!" cried he, starting to his
feet, THAT cry is from the rock, and il is a
woman's voice"
Without further thought, except TO get to
the scene Of danger as quickly as possible,
Herbert dashed from his covert
Needless of the lightning, and regardless
Of the rain, he was speedily wet to the skin
but that was a trivial matter.
After divers falls and bruises, he contrived
At last to get down to the shore opposite TO
the point where he knew the rock was, and
going slightly up the river, 50 that the wind
mi ght convey the cry Of the sufferers to him,
instead of drowning it, he listened for mo-
ment, and distinctly heard the cries Of
Help, Helpl We are drowning, we
are drowning"
"Where are you are you on the rock ~
es," shouted mans voice, we are
on the rock-the water is rising rapidly on
us, and our boat has gone down. Quick
make haste-make haste, ii you hope to
save u.s."
Have you time to wait while run up to
Dittisham for boat l''
mo, no." shriked 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 7"
No" was the answer.
"God help you II will soon be over, )" NUT
tered Herbert, land | fear shall be lost,
too, My poor mother!" said he, throwing
off his clothes, one after another "but il Is
duty to try: help me, God of heaven ~
cried the youth, dropping on his knee for
one moment; then running down as far
above the rock as he thought practicable,
shouted out,
al will swim to you"
He then plunged boldly into the stream,
with nothing on but his shirt and trowsers,
having previously tied the latter around his
waist with his neckerchief
At the time that Herbert took his leap, the
tide was running strongly up the river. He
therefore evan boldly down the stream, as if
making for Dartmouth, proceeding slantina-
ly across the river towards the opposite
shore, where the beautiful woods Of Green
away shaded the boyish steps Of the immor-
tai Walter Raleigh.
his voice ice ',lr," 10, "where are your" but he
heard no answer, for the westerly storm
swept up the river ut that moment with a
fresh gust, and drowned the reply. In an
other second the heavens were once more
brilliant with lightning, and Herbert beheld
two or three yards under his lee, the rugged
point Of the rock, like some demon holding
up his jagged head, while, ciinging to il, in
all the agony and desperation Of impending
death, was young man, who clasped IN his
arms girl Of some seventeen years.
Strange il is, that in a single glance the
the face on which II gazes. Even in that
awful hour, when the fearful grave tha,
yawned beneath them appeared about to
swallow up all these three beings, Herber,
detected in thst cOuntenance just the very
face that seemed to have haunted HIM in all
the poeics day dreams Of his soul for years
Large, full-spearing eyes, with small deli
cate face long, flowing and luxariant hair
| drenched as Il was with rain, and anguish
stricken as those features were with the hor
ro. " such a situation that single glance
while il filled his soul with the deepest sym
pathy for the fate Of this fair unknown
nerved him with fresh courage to strive
against the elements. and lit in his soul {
stern determination 20 succeed in saving her
or to perish ia the attempt.
Cheer upm he cried, as. relaxing hi
swimming, he put forward both his hands Il
guard himself from being dashed too violent
" by the roaring storm against the sharI
and Jagged edges Of the rocks then, as h
succeeded in placing his frot, and setting h
back agains. the stream. he raid to the man
Cannot you swim at all ~
"Oh. heavens no, not Bit"
~ here is your boat ~
"She struck aud filled, and went dowr
instantly. when that '9uall came on. W.
were trying to cross the stream on the Dart
mouth SIDE Of the rock, when the squall tool
u.s.
"Siay" said Herbert, "what stick il
that pointing upF'
Nothing but one Of the oars entangled II
the rock"
IAN righ,r said Herbert. Now, listoi
10 me, putting his face chcve to that Of thes'
two unfortunate people, whosn he could ye
scarcely see in the dark, further than just Il
discern the general outlines Of their heads
" You have no time TO lose, ana you mus
follow implicitly what | tell you, or we sha
all be lost. ! will pull this oar from IL
sticking place, and while You put your tw'
hands upon it--nnd nothing more. remem
ber-this lady must place her two hand
spon my ieft shoulder. Now, before WI
start off into deep water. is there any amour
+ Of your clothes ,ha, you can get rid Oft Tn
least thing aids N your weight Men
clothes srr heavy, ladies' are light, ard d.
} not go much signify"
How can get rid Of my clothes, the
IRE all so wet and clinging 10 mel ~
" ell, will help you first Of all ,her
is your coat. Cen YOU hold on by the roc