Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-07-02

have been out on the ocean oil alone. i
can easily como back with the flood tide
that will soon be setting in" And without
further argument, the reckless boy put his
helm up, cased off tho sheet, and away out
through the inlet, towards the line of blue
water outside, went tho launch, hurried along
before the strong breeze which added to
the strength Of the last quarter cbb, bore
her away at q speed that soon sunk tho yel- |
low ridge TO mere line on the horizon, and
the white cottages and Venetian blinds in
to toy houses, dotted with green spccks.-l
The colorcd water-which appeared from
the cove only narrow strip dividing the
white from the deep azures of the ocean
beyond-expanded into broad belt sever
al miles in width. But with the fine breeze
and strong outset of tho tide tho boat
sped on; while the novelty Of their position
and the natural excitement induced by it'll
caused the time and space to fly unheeded
by the young voyagers, and sudden dread
came upon them, as, having gained the blue
water, they looked back towards the shore
and saw hills, fields and orchards blending
and growing indistinct, and fading away in
the distance. There was sense Of lonely,
utter helplcssness, shadowing their bright
vision; and there was world of pathos in
little Jenny's sweet voice, as she laid her
hand gently on her brothers arm, and look
ing up in his eyos, whispered:
30, Willie, let us go home. Mother
would feel very anxious if she knew we
were way out here"
Willie bent down and kissed his sisters
pale cheek, as he replied: i-I'I'- o 80
ave will go back home, Jenny; was
naughty to come off so far from land. But
don't cry, sister; am sorry. Don't blame
me; couldn't help it. l loved the sen too
much"
"No, VIC won't blame you, Willie; only
let us hurry back see yonder black
cloud is coming up in the west, and / am
afraid if we do not" .r.H
The child'sspeech was arrested by groan
Of anguish from her brother, whose eye for
tho first time had been directed towards
bank of dark, murky clouds heaviDg up in
the western horizon by his sisters remark,
and at the very instant that the vision first
rested upon the black pail, chain of bril-
liant zigzag lightning rose quvering along
its upper edge, and few moments later
there came to their cars q low muttcred
roar of far-of thunder.
The young captain had hauled his little
vessel by the wind, but tho clumsy thing
lay broad under ill-ftted sail. Besides, the
wind, which she had scarcely felt while run
ming off before it, had now increased so
much that she kccled over until there was
great danger of capsizing, to prevent which,
Willie, with the assistance of his two sis
tcrs set out rccfing the sail
This was soon accomplished, and again
the boat was stecred as close rs she would
90; which at the best was little better
than eight points, SO that with her great lee
way, Willie soon found that in spite of his
utmost skill, his craft was drifting rapidly
out to sea. ia @ fHf la
Nearer and fcarer rolled on the embat-
tied legions of black storm clouds; louder
came the fearful thunder crashes, moro WV
id cleaned the red lightnings flash, wilder
the shriekirg gale swept by howiing and
screaming dread notes Of terror to the young
voyagers. The water-which in with the
land was quito smooth--began to hcave NJ
tho foam crested waves hero and there al
around them, curling over and breaking al
feather white in long lines of Kissing spray
Great round drops of rain camc patting
down in tho water and pelting on the
thwarts and gunwales of the boat with a
sharp click noise, that smote startingly dis
NAL on the ears Of tho three little ocean
wanderers.
Young as he was, Willie retained in hi
mind much that he had heard his father re
late at various times, in regard to the man
agmcnt of ship in gale; and The knowl
edge he had thus gained in theory nov
stood in good stead. He had heard O
keeping ship before the wind in a squall
and Of scudding in gale-the dull sailing
clumsy boat was his ship. The theory
which ho had learned he now proceeded tc
put in practice; and when the first mad
gust of the tornado fell upon the launct
she was going dead before the wind--other
wise she would have been swamped in al
instant. AS it was, she went flashing or
through the wild storm and screaming sur
ges, scudjing away right out into the wider
ness of waters. ,Hrsi.a Aasr
Ten, fifteen minutes went by, and still
the war Of elements continued in their ter
rible fury, and still tho bravo little fellow
stood at the helm, bareheaded, his car
blowuaway, his clothes dripping with water
and steady to his purpose, stecred his tiny
bark on aud away before the fierce, bowling
blast. 10 ve4la .fE .I I'4
Once, only, he faltered, and that wa
when the launch quvered moment, OF
the crest of a mighty surge, and then wen
reeling and plunging, standing almost OF
end, down into the kissing vortex of the
liquid ravine. Thensa single quick cry o
horror escaped the boys lips but the mex
moment Jenny erep, up TO his side and laiC
her hand upon his shoulder aud spoke in ,
low, soothing tone, and almost instantly
called back his confidence, and elected from
his lips cry of admiration for his sister,
horoism. 's1rsss. -,t- .f - 4 -..T
"Don't be frightened, dear Willie,r spok,
the little angel. "Mother says that Goo
watches over the people that live on tho
seas. And don't you remember, brother
how often our dear mother has told us thai
Jesus loves little children! If God waiche,
us and Jesus loves US we shall DO safe. 81
don't be afraid"
Night--dark, wild and gloomy, nigh
came down on the world of waters; and still
the terrible tornado ragged in all its horrors o