The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-09-08
5flfftpn Sturu.
An Exciting Scene.

X.
We had hard time of IT., beating a
bout eleven days off the coast, and the
snow and sleet falling for the mcs, OF the
time. Forward, the vessel was thickIy
covered with ice, and it was hard work to
handle her, AS the rigging and sails were
still, and yielded only when the strength
ot :he men was exerted to the utmost
When at length, we made the port, all
hands were worn down aud exhausted :;
we could not have held out but two days
longer without relief
"A bitter cold night, NJ. Larkn,' said
] to my mate, as | tarried a moment on
deck e finish my cigar.
| The worthy down easter buttoned his
coat more tightly around him, looking up
to the moon aud felt his red nose before
/ he replied.
It's whistler, captain, as we used to
say on the keEnehec. Nothing lives
comfortable ont of blankets in such a
night as this
The uGe is running out swift and
s'romg-it will be well TO keep sham
lookout for the floating ice. Mr.. Larkiu.'
Ave, aye, sir, responded the mate -
and went below.
Two hours after, was aroused from a
sounI sIumhcr 10y the yiGilsnl Officer
Excuse me for disturbing you. Captain
| said he, as lie detected an expression ol
vexaiion on my face, 'bu: wish YOU
would turL out and come on deck as soon
AS possible
Why-whats the matter, Mr.. LarkinY
why sir, have been watchmga "A cake
OF ice that swept 10y ut u hitle distance
few moments ago; | saw something black
upon lf-sometiling that thought NOV
ed. The moons under a cloud, and |
| could not see distinctly, but do believe
there's child out ~ sea this freezing
night on that cake Of ice.
We were or deck before either spoke
another word. The mate pointed ort
will no difficulty the cake Of ice tloatino
7d to the Iecward and its white glitter
ing surface WAS broken Wy black spot
mare could not make ,u,.
Get me the glass, Mr.. Larkin-the
moon will be out oi the cloud in mo.
ment and then We can see distinctly
kept my eye on the rececdiug mass
Of ice. while the moon was slowly work.
ing its way through bank of clouds
The mate stood by with "A glass. When
the full light fel at last upon the water
with briiancy only kEown 10 our Nor
thern atti,udes, | pu. my glass to my eye.
One glance was enough.
Forward, there ! | shouted at the :op
Of my voice, and with bound reached
the main hatch and began to clear the
ships yawl.
Mr.. Larkin had received the glass from
my hand. and took look for himself
My God ! he said in whisper, As h.
set TO " work to aid me in getting out the
boat-'My God ! there are two children
on that cake OF ice y
Two uen answered my call, and walk.
ed laziy aft. In an incredibly short
space Of time we launched the cutter, in.
to which Mr.. Larkin and myself Jumped
followed by two men who took the
oars. rugged the tiIler, and the mate
sat beside the stern sheet.
DO you see that cake OF ice with some
| thing black upon il IadsP cried; put
me along aide qf that aud III give you
bottle oi ram each to night, aud
months extra wages when you are paid
off, The men bent TO their oars, but theIy
| strokes were uneven and feeble. They
were used up by the preceding duty Of
the last fortnight, nnd though they did
their best the boaS made but little more
! than the tide. This was a long chase
and Mr.. L., who was suffering as he saw
| lnxy littla "a. c,yipaI ,r,.I
Pull Iads-l'lI double the Captains
ptize-lwo bottles Of rum and two
months pay. Pull lads, for tho love of
God'
A convulsve effort o. the oars told
how willing the men were to obey, but
the strength Of their strong arms were
goae. Mr.. Mr Larkin sPrang and seiz
ed the deserted oar.
Lie down in the bottom of the boat,
said he 10 the man, and, Captain, the
other oar We must row for ourselves
took The second mars place--Lar.
kin had stripped to his Guernsey Shirt
as he pulled the stern oar, waited for
! tie signal stroke. IL came gentle but
! firm, and the next moment we were pull
ing along, steady, the stroke gradually
increasing in rapidity until the wood seem.
ed to smoke in the oar locks. We kept
time each, by The. breathing Of tho other.
Such a pull !! We bent forward until our
faces touched our kLees, and throwing
all our strength into the backward move
men,, until every inch gained. At every
stroke the boat shot ahead like an arrow
discharged from bow. Thus we work
ed the oars tor fifteen minutes seemed
TO me rs many hours. The veat rolled
I of in great drops, and WAS envelopsd
in steam genrs"s"l from my own body.
Are we almt Acres il, Mr. Larkin 2 |
grspsed ou;.
Almost Cap,ain-don't give up for
the love Of our dear ones at home--don,
give pp, Csptaip.'
r. The oars flashed as the blades turned
M IN the moonliOht The men who piled