Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-23

no lightning, but now the vivid fash light |
ed up the heavens once more, and a cry
Of horror went up from the anxious watch
ers, for the ship could be plainly seen
driving towards the long reef.
"They are lost now," uttered an old
man who leaned heavily upon his staff.
"If the ship strikes that reef she mus;
/, go to pieces, and no earthly power can
help them
Il Kate Williams heard those words.
90, sir, have a life-boat here. Could
not some one 60 in that?''
"Ah, Miss Williams, in your agony
you forget the stern facts of the case
No man could live in such a sea. You
can find no man here who would dare
undertake such task
Hates heart sank within her as she
turned away. The rain had ceased fall
ing now, and it was only the spray that
dashed over the shivering forms upon the
beach. In a few moments more the
lightning streamed up through the heav-
ems again, and the cry of horror went up
loud and long. The ship has struck !
Poor fellows p uttered the old man,
"'tis all over with them. The ship must
soon 90 to pieces"
Kate gathered her shawl about her
and rushed towards the spot where the
life-boat had been hauled down.
. God help him now," she cried, wiring
u ing her hands in agony. 90, Frank
Frank! my brother! Will no one go
1t Mr.. Clancy, can't you find some stout
d man to go in this boat? o, with this boat
'S once there he could be saved
8" Be calm, my dear Kate urged the
lawyer, taking her by the hand. "NC
'0 mortal man would dare venture out there
ie Death stands too near at hand"
Il As he ceased speaking the fame o
10 heaven glared out again, and the shiI
Is still hung upon the rocks with the Sc;
, breaking furiously over her.
I'd Halo Hallo-o-o-o!' at this momen
I'd shouted clear, ringing voice above th
clash of the elements. +" Where is til
u life-boat? Where is it ?"
De Here, here, right by the little pier,
at answered voice.
. 8 Then cut it loose away with it,
as shouted the same voice in reply; an
y. the next moment Harry Winship cam
nd rushing to the spot where the crowd ha
" gathered about the boat. The light frol
lat the lanterns shone in his face, and |
looked like a giant at that moment. E
had thrown off his coat, and he wore
nd close fitting oilcloth cap upon his head
wi "In the name of mercy, why is II
'ps this boat off,"
ne Would you rush on to certain DEATH
ed spoke the old man, who had followt
Ter Kate thither.
-he Rush on to death ?" repeated Harl
quickly. "There are a score of men
ed, yonder ship looking death in the face, al
ear shall we see them die thus, and not p
ma forth helping hand? When an in CO
lch off the hne."
led g But you cannot pull the boat again
lad this sea, young man."
"Then let some one come and he
ing me! What none? then these arms shi
af- do all they can. They can but fail"
on With these words Harry leaped il
lew the boat, and caught the oars which we
Ialf secured in the row locks. A projecti
,ck, promontory shielded the spot where t
ter boat lay, so that there was no difficulty
low pushing off. With all his power the I
not bic youth bent himself to tie work +;
out had passed the stay-belt about his wal
llar so that the sea could not wash him awa
nth In few moments the life-boat and
the occupant were lost il the darkness.
There was one heart upon that bea
e of beating prayerfully for him ; but
sion knew it not. He had not seen Kate.
pom He had just arrived when he saw the s.
He apon the reef, and uttered the cry
her heard.
asts The next fash cleaned moment
the the water; the boat was upon the TOP
the surging waves, and the youth '
cred working with all his might. Do'
e of down, the frail bark sank-a deeper m
1t mur of prayer upon the shore-and tt
ship all was dark again. Anon the heav'
glowed again.
tion /" God help him." mormured quiv
Iohn ing voice. Twas Kate's and her hai
his were tightly clasped.
her Again and again the lightning ca
and at each time the struggling boat '
rear nearer the ship. The boat was very lil
aba and the strength which now propelled
med was almost superhuman. AT length
hun frail boat was seen directly under