Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-10-06
MISCELLANY.
SAVING TWO LIVES.

From the Pride Of the Mess, Naval Story Of the
Crimean War
From his boyhood upwards, Herbert had al
ways had strongly impressed upon his mind,
when boating up and down the river, the hor-
rors of the wel-known rock at the mouth of the
river Dart. He knew how many lives had
been lost upon it, how much property sacrificed
on its frightfnl altar and while il is the won
der of every one who visits Dartmouth, that
such hideous danger can be left unbuoyed or
unmarked, every body who passes up and down
the Dart hears some fearful legend Of its past
misdeed, and, shuddering, gives it the widest
possible berth.
While Herbert was straining his utmost
glance watching for another CLEAN of lightning
to reveal the scene once more, something like
a faint cry was heard.
by Heaven = cried he, starting to his feet,
that cry is from the rock, and it 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.
Afier divers falls and bruises, he coutrived
at last 10 get down TO the shore opposite to the
point where he knew the rock was, and going
slightly up the river, SO tha, the wind might
convey the cry of the sufferers to him, instead
of drowning it, he listened for moment, and
distinctly heard the cries Of
Help, help We are drowning, we are
drowning!'
Where are you--are you on the rockp
Yes shouted back mans voice, I'VE are
on the rock-the water is rising rapidly on u.s.
and our boat has gone down. Quck-make
haste-make haste, il you hope to save US
Have you lime to wait while run up ic
Diiiisham for boat 2
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 swimr
No. was the answer.
God help you il will be soon over NUT
tered Herbert, and fear | shall be lost, too
My poor mother said he throwing off hi'
clothes, one after another but it is my duty
to try =; help me, God of Heaven !! cried the
youth, dropping on his knees one moment
then running down as far above the rock as h'
ihoughi practicable, shouted out
Il will swim to you.'
He then plunged boldly into the stream, will
nothing on but his shirt and trousers, having
previously tied the latter round his waist viii
his neckeIchief.
AT the time that Herbert took his leap, The
tide was running strongly up the river. III
therefore swan boldly down the stream, as
making for Dartmouth, proceeding slanlingl!
across the river towards the opposite shore
where the beautiful woods of Greenaway shad
cd the boyish stops OF the immortal Waite
Raleigh
In the course Of few minutes, he li0ed hi
voice mp, Where are your but he heard NJ
answer, for the westerly storm swept up th
river at that moment with fresh gust, an
drowned the reply. In another second, th
heavens were once more brilliant with lightning
and Herbert beheld, two or three yards unde
his lee, the rugged point Of tho rock, like SOM
demon holding up his jagged head, while cling
ing to it, in all the agony and desperation o
impending death was young man who claspe'
in his arms girl of some seventeen years.
Strange It is, that in single glance the hu
man mind takes in the whole character of In
face on which il gazes. Even in that awfu
hour, when the fearful grave that yawned be
meath them appeared about 10 swallow up al
these three beings, Herbert detected in tina
eounienance just the very face that seemed :