Butte record., 1855-01-13

though the weather had moderated con-
siderably, sea came every now and
then, driving over the deck, and carry
lug everything before it. The wreck was
by this time filing fast, still sinking
gradually; already she had settled by
the stern, and only her bows and a part
of her forecastle remained above water
On this the sufferers were congregated,
and few words did they interchange, for
consolation or hope there was none in
this world Their powder was exhaust
ed-true, there was plenty below in the
powder magazine, but that was long ago
swamped. so that their cries for help
must be silenced-that iron voice, their
sole chance for rescue, must be dumb
The fog. too, began to ell ar away, and a
bright CLEAN of sunshine over and anon
shnne out upon the yellow foam-crested
waves, and gIisiened on the wings of the
sea-gulls. By degrees the sky peered
overhead, and the gap widened and
widened, and the mists rising from the
waters, now heaving and subsiding into
rest, hoated away, and the discolored
sea became bright and blue, and the sun
burst forth into glorious autumn day,
and the warmth OF its rays comforted
those poor wretches, clinging hopelessly
to the wreck 1t seemed hard to die on
such day, but exhaustion was begin
ming to tell on some of the sufferers,
and the lassitude Of despair was creep
ing over them with its influence, and the
reason of more than one began to give
way. So they waited and spoke not,
and some strove to pray, and some TO
shut their eyes, as if in sleep; noon
came, and the day was bright and hot,
and the sea birds screamed, and every
thing was full OF JOY and life, and only
that little circle of twelve wore doomed
TO die. Frank and Charlie were together,
and every now and then, each pressed
the others hand, but neither spoke
They were a silent company. Minutes
were precious, yet they dragged on like
lead. Once the captain stirred, and
Frank glancing at his face was aware of
a strange light upon it, and a CLEAN in
his eye that was almost u-earthly. Was
it insanity; or, could it be hope' Franks
breath stopped as he followed the direct
ion OF the captains gaze, but he could
see nothing save the waters and the sky
line. But still the captain stared, and
the old boatswain too, was looking in
the same direction, and another seamen
seemed to awake from his stupor, and
Frank strained his eyes, and at last he
was aware of black speck on the hori-
zon, and ere he could trust his sight, the
old captain burst into tears, and feeble
cheer arose from the seamen-a cheer
that thrilled through Franks very mar
row, for he knew that they were saved.
What is it: :" said Charlie, faintly,
opening his heavy eyes.
dts boat u was the reply" \
boat /; the bitterness of death is past,
thank God thank God -
Then came the painful suspense-the
agony of hope and fear it might after
all be but spar, or black fish, or any
thing save what they wished. Not
was boat; real boat; but her crew
might not see them-they might be fish,
ing, they might never think of the wreck.
Then the poor exhausted fellows strain
ed their throats in feeble hail, or rather
hoarse desperate shrek. But the boat
is bearing down upon them-sbe nears
them. Wreck a-hoy, hilli-ho !" New
er was music to this on mortal ear. Her
sharp nose comes dancing and dipping
over the waves, the glance of her oars
flashed in the sun now they can dis
tinguish the forms of the rowers--now
the CHEEKY voices Of their countrymen
gladden. their very hearts core-and
now she is alongside; and despair is
over-suspense and misery are forgot
ten-and the past is Ike dream.
The steamer had struck far nearer
the shore than her reckoning had given
the captain reason to suppose, and her
guns had at length been heard by some
fishermen on. the beach al St. Swithin's.
They had fallen in with the ships boats
about halfway from the shore. and now
brought the welcome news of their al
most undoubted safety.
why are the Russians like players
at ten-pin Because they are rolling
balls on the alleys (allies).