National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-09-07
THE SAILOR BOY OF HAVRE.
A French brig was returning
from TOulon to Havre with rich

cargo and numerous passengers
OFF the coast of Bretagne it was
overtaken by a sudden and violent
storm. Capt P, an experienced
sailor, at once saw the danger which
threatened the Snip on such rocky
coast. and he gave orders to put ont
to sea: but the wind and waves
drove the brig violently towards the
shore, and outstanding all the
efforts of the ci-w, it continued to
get nearer land.
Among the most active on board
in doing all he could to helpwas lit
tie jacques, lad twelve years old,
who was serving as cabin boy in the
vessel. At times, when he disap-
peared for a moment behind the
folds of sail, the sailors thought
that he had fallen overheard: and
again, when a wave threw him down
on the deck, they looked around to
see if it had not carried away the
poor boy with it; but jacques was
soon up again, unhurt.
my Mother" said he, smiling, to
an old sailor, " would be frightened
enough had she seenme just now"
His mother. who lived at Havre,
was very poor, and had large fam
lily. jacques loved her tenderly,
and he was enjoying the prospect Of
carrying to her hisdittle treasure
two ve-france pieces, which he had
earned rs his wages for the voyage.
The brig was beaten about a whole
day by the storm, and in spite of all
the efforts of the crew, they could
not steer clear of the rocks on the
coast BY the gloom on the cap
tain's brow it might be seen that he
had little hope of saving the ship
/ All at once violent shock was felt,
accompanied by a horrible crash;
I the vessel had struclaDn a rock. AT
this terrible moment the passengers
threw themselves on their knees to
i pray. s
= Lower the boats.'' cried the cap
tain.
The sailors obeyed but no sooner
were the boats in the water than
they we're carried away by the vio-
lence of the waves.
I'VE have but one hope for safety"
said the captain. "One OF us must
be brave enough to run the risk OF
swimming with rope TO the shore.
We may iaSten one end to the mast
of the vessel. and the other to a
rock on the coast, and by this means
we may all get on shore"
But captain. it is impossible Z
said the mate. pointing to the suri
breaking on the sharp rocks. "Who
ever should attempt to run such a
risk would certainly be dashed to
pieces
Well" said the captain. in low
tone. we must all die together
At this moment there was slight
stir among the sailors, who were 81
lently waiting for orders.
What is the matter there!" in
quired the captain.
Captain" replied a sailor. ''this
little monkey of a cabin boy is ask
ing to swim to the shore with 4
strong string round his body to draw
the cable after hIm: he is rs obsti
nate as little mule" " and lie push
= ed jacques into the midst of the cir
Gle,
The boy stood turning his cal
2 round and round in his hands, with
out daring to utter a word.
Nonsense such Il child can
go!' said the captain. roughly.
But jacques was not of n charaC
, ter to he so easily discouraged.
!. Captain said he, timidly, "yo,
don't wish to expose the lives O
y good sailors like these: it does no
= matter what becomes Of 'httl
: monkey of a cabin boy, as the boat
j tswain calls NE Give me a ball {
Y strong string. which will unroll as
:, get ON: fasten one end round m
IL body, and promise you that With
l. an hour the rope will be fastened {
t, the shore, OF will perish in the a
II tempt"
e "Docs he know how to swim
o asked the captain.
1t "As swiftly and easily as az eel
4 replied one of the crew.
g ~ could swim up the Seine frol
p Havre to Paris,' said lii tie jacques
t, The captain hesitated but Il
IS lives of all on board We're at stalk
t. and he yielded. Jacques hastent
e. to prepare for his terrible underta
o ing. Then he turned and softly a
10 preached the captain.
u Captain said he. "as | may
e. lost, may | ask you to take chars
10 OF something for me p
Il. Certainly. my boy" said the ca
III tain. who was almost rcpcnting
Up having yielded to his entrcatics.
"ilerc, then. captain repai,
mt jacques, holding out two iive-fran
ly pieces wrapped in a bit of rag, III
er am eaten by the porpoises, and Y
ne get safe to land, he so kind rs 10 ri
this to my mother, who lives on {
quay, at Havre; and will you +
re her that / thought of her, and til
Ot love her very much,as well asall l
brothers and sisters
,,v "Be easy about that, my boy.
g.. you die for us, and we escape, "
mother shall never want for a
thing"
er- 40, then / will willingly try
rs. save you " cried jacques hastcni
Il to the other side of the vessel .wh