The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-04-07
WRECKED.

dering all over, as l heard the roar of the
surf, the hideous Wailing Of the wind, and
the dash of the rain against the window.
We lived on the Cape coast, in the pretti.
est village ever cradled on its silvery
sands, or bathed in the blessed sunshine
thrice blessed because of the fearful
storms that darkened our horizon at times.
My husband was out in the storm !; he was
/ the favOrite physician in the village, be-
cause be was skillful, never pressed for
his pay, and endured stormy nights and
other hardships like good-natured hero.
l could not 60 to rest this terrible night
while Angus was away. Hewas always
nly Angus, though he was the Doctor
to many others. I sat covering over the
firm, with nay infant nestled in my lap in
all the sweet peace Of babyhood, wishing
and longing for my husband. My heart
was sinking with fear. I was sorry that
he was physicians. IF he had been a
farmer, a teacher, clerk, a tradesman,
or a mechanic, he might have been in his
bed now, and so 1 Vainly regretted that
what might have been was not. Very
foolish l was, like many others. At last
4 heard his steps, and the outer door
opened, and the blast blew him in, as it
seemed, and with difficulty he shut the
door. He came up stairs, and exclaimed,
Not in bed, Matte 1t is past mid
night. Lay that little man away, aud
make haste after him. You should have
been asleep two hours. ago.
Angus spoke eheerfully, but there was
a tremor in his voice, as if he we're fright
ened, and did not wish me know it. 1
looked up at his face. 1t was pale-as if
he were dead. ra.s a-..- fss.
what is it, Angus p said I. r1
FWhat is it?. why, the hardest storm
that ever blew great guns on our coast.
I 'But something troubles you, Angus.
Is old Mrs. Pratt going to die r.
mo, not till she is a hundred years
old. Make haste, Matte, and go to bed.
Dick will wake and cry presently, and
the storm is bad enough without his
storming.'
1 still looked into his pale face, and at
that moment a dreadful sound struck my
ear. Angus started to his feet.
You heard it. said be.
It was the gun of a ship driving on the
breakers, almost at our very doors for
We lived close to the sea, and on the most
dangerous part of the coast.
I saw her In a fash Of lightning just
before 1 came In said Angus. She was
driving right on the rocks. Go to bed,
Matte, dear, and I will call John, and go
down for Higgins and bort, and see if |
any thing can be DONE
Higgins and bort were fishermen, and /
had boats, and ropes, and a great many
things that might be needed in such a
time as this.
Angus, said I, don't ask me to go
to bed Can l sleep while those poor
creatures are in peril ? Can 1 forget that
you might be on board that ship 2
Ny husband called John, our man-Of-
again put on his storm garments,
and silently kissing me and the baby, he
went out. Again the booming gun sound
ed 1t was much nearer now, or else the
roar of the storm was somewhat hushed. |
I warmed some milk for my blby, for l .
knew I was too much frightened to nurse /
him. He walked hungry, and fed him. |
He slept again, and l tried to look out in
to the pitchy darkness. heard only the
roar and crash of the storm. All is over
with the ship, said I to myself. 1 waited
for my husband, and for the morning, and .
longed to hear again the sound Of the gun.
I waited in vain for all. The morning
seemed indefinitely postponed. 1t was
early autumn, and the weather, though |
chilly, would not be fatal to the poor sail
ors, as the cold often is on our terrible
shore. Day daWned at last, and when it
was light enough I examined the beach
with my husbands spy-glass. After a
time / made out the ship, Wedged in
among the rocks, and the waves rising
like hills and mountains over and against
her. Meanwhile my husband and others
we're on the shore. I should have been
with them but for my baby.
A barrel was sent ashore with a line
Wedged in at the bung-hole; when this
was secured, a hawser. was fastened to the
line and drawn ashore by means of it.
This haWser was drawn away from the
breakers as much as possible, and firmly
secured. One by one the men ventured
upon this support. All came safely to the
shore but the captain. He was the last
to leave the ship, and by some means he
lost, or never gained, the support of the
hawser, and his lifeless body was thrown
ashore at some distance from the point
where the men we're received. A young
man, who had been the last to leave the
ship before the captain, was passing to and
fro on the beach in an agony of anxiety,
when the body was thrown high upon the
sand, almost at his feet. With wild cry
he seized upon what had been, few min
utes before, the animated master and pre-:
server of them all. My husband was be,
side him. A fisherman brought piece of
sail, and they laid the body on it, and four
men bore it to our house. The young man
gave some directions to the sailors, and
then followed the sad cortege. 1t was a
end of my suspense, but 1 was
The rescued crew went out to
Plymouth, after they had been provided
with dry clothing and breakfast by the
who supplied their wants with
great kindness, and afterWard gathered up
their coffee and oranges, as they came
ashore, with as much diligence as if they
had been a bill of sale of the cargo.
A strange feeling thrilled through my
heart as they brought the captain Of the
{ Midas to our house, I did not feel as if
a corpse were being borne over our thres,
hold.
Angus, said I, be is not dead
sHe is dead, my DEAR said my hus>
band, soIemnly, at the same time drawing
,,,o ,yvor, froyrl the bndv