The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-06-23

tide that will soon be setting III. " Az
without further argument the reckles
boy put his helm up, eased off the sheet
and away out through the inlet, toward
the line of blue water outside, went th
launch, hurried along before the stroD,
breeze which added to the strength 9
the last quarter ebb, bore her to a mef'
line along the margin of the wide ocean
and the white cottages with Venetis5
blinds, sank into toy houses dotted witt
bright green specks. The colored wa
ter-which appeared from the cave onlJ
a strip dividing the white strip from tb'
deep azure of the ocean beyond--ex
paDded into broad belt of severa
miles in width But with the fine breeze
and strong outset of the tide, the b al
sped on; while the novelty of theil
position and the natural excitement int
paused by it, caused the young voy ayers
and sudden dread came upon Them, a:
having gained the blue water they looked
towards the shore and saw hills, fields
houses and orchards, blending and grow
ing indistinct, and fading in the distance
There was a sense of lonely utter neip
lessness. suddenly shadowing their brigbr
visions aud there was a word of pathos
in little Jenny's low voice, as she laid
her land gently On her broiher's arm,
and looking up in his eyes, Whispered ::
so, Willie, let US go home. Mother
would feel very sorry if she kuew We
had come away ou' here SO far"
Willie beut down and kissed his sis
ter's pale cheek, as he replied
1--WE will 60 back, Jenny; | was
naughty to come off SO far from land
But don't cry, sister. am sorry
Don't blame me; l couldn't help it;
loved the sea too much"
mo, we won't blame you, Willie, on
ly let US hurry back; for see yonder is a
black cloud coming up in the west, and
[ am afraid if we do not hurry home we
Title child's speech was arrested
by groan of anguish from her brother,
whose eyes for the first time had been
directed towards bank of dark murky
clouds heaviug up in the western sky,
by his sisters remark and at the very
instant that the vision first rested upon
the black ball, chain OF. brilliant zig
gag lightning rose, quivering along its
upper edge, and few moments later,
there came to their ears low muttcred
sound of thunder.
The young captain has hauled his lit
tie vessel by the wind, but the clumsy
thing lay broad off under ill fitted sail
Besides, the wind, which she had scarce
ly felt while running off before it, still
there was much danger of her capsiziDg,
to prevent which, Willie, with the assist
ance of his two sisters, set about reefng
the sail.
This was soon accomplished, and
6gaiu the boat. was close as she would
go which at the best was little better
than eight points, so that with her great
leeway, Willie soon found that in spite
Of his utmost skill. his craft was drift
ing rapidly out to sea.
Nearer aud nearer rolled on the em
battIed legions of black storm clouds
louder came the fearful thunder crashes,
more vivid cleaned the red lightning's
fash. wilder the shriekiug gale swept
by, howIiug aud screaming dread notes |
of terror to the young voyagers. The |
in with the land was quite |
to heave up the foam
crested waves here and there all around |
hem. curling over and breaking all
feather white in long lines of kissing
spray Great round drops of rain came
pattiug down in the water, and pelting |
on the thwarfs aud gun wales of the
boat with a sharp, click noise, that
smote srartingly dismal on the ears of
the three little ocean wanderers.
Young as he was. Willie retained in
bis mind much of what he had heard his
father relate at various times, in regard |
to the management of ship in a gale
ind the knowledge he had thus gained
IN theory, now stood in good stead. He
nad heard of keeping ship before the
Wind in a squall, and of scudding in
gale. D II sailing; aud clumsy was his
ship. The theory which he had learned
he proceeded to put in practice; aud
shen the first mad gust of the yelling
oInado fell upon the launch, she was
going dead before the wiid-otherwise
Ter sail would have been blown away, or
he would have been swamped in In-
slant As it was, she was dashiug on
through the wild storm aud screaming
Jurgcs, scudding away right out into the
mighty wilderness of waters.
Ten, fifteen minutes went by, and
still thewar of the elements went on in
heir terrible fury, and still the brave
title fellow stood at the helm, bare
headed, his cap blown away, his clothes
tripping with water, aud steady in his
purpose, s'eered his tiny bark Oh aud
lway, before the fierce howling blast,
Once only he faltered and that was
When the launch quivering for a moment,
IN the crest of mighty surge, aud
hen went reeling and plunging, stand
ng almost on end, down in the Kissing
Iortex of the liquid ravine. Then,
ingle quick cry of horror escaped the
,oy's lips but the next moment Jenny
rept up to his side and laid her hand
lpon his shoulder an6 spoke in a low
oothing tone, and almost instantly call
ID back his confidence, and elected from
lis lips cry of admiration for his sis.
er's heroism.
Wont be frightened, dear Willie"
poke the little angel, "Mother says
hat God watches over people that live
N the as And Cont you remember,
,rother, how often our dear mother has
old us that Jesus loved little children?
f God watches US and Jesus loves
IS, we shall be safe SO don't be afraid"
Night-dark, asild and gloomy night
came down upon the world waters,
nd still the terrible tornado ragged 10 all
ts horrors of wild lightning, rain and
hunder; aud there in frail open boat,
7e will leave the halpless young voya-
ers speeding on and away, right oat in-
o the heart of the Atlantic ocean. We
1iIl bid them adieu and glance back to