The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-11-01
SELECT SIGRH.


A French brig was returning from
Toulon to Havre with rich cargo and
numerous passengers. OFF the cost of
Bretagne, it was overtaken by sudden
and violent storm.
Captain P, an experienced sailor,
at once saw the danger which threaten.
cd the ship on such rock coast, and he
gave orders to put out to sea but the
winds and waves drove the brig violent
y toward shore, and Notwithstanding all
the efforts of the crew, it continued to
get nearer the land.
Among the most active on board in
doing all that he could to help, was little
jacques, lad twelve years old, who was
serving as cabin-boy in the vessel. AT
times which he disappeared for mo.
ment behind tie folds of the sail, the
sailors thought that he had fallen over
board and again, when a wave threw
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
If she saw me just now"
His mother. who lived at Havre, was
very poor and had large family. JAG
ques loved her tenderly. and he was en-
joying the prospect Of carrying to her
his little treasure two franc-pieces.
which he had earned as wages for the
voyage
The brig was beaten about 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 captains brow it might
be seen that he had little hope of saving
the ship. All at once a violent shock
was felt, accompanied by a. horrible
crash the vessel had struck on a rock.
At this terrible moment the passengers
threw themselves on their knees to prav.
Lower the boats " cried the cap.
tain
The sailors obeyed but no sooner
were the boats in the water than thew
were carried away by the violence of the
waves.
We have but one hope of safety"
said the captain. "One of us must be
brave enough to run the risk of swim.
ming with rope to shore. We NAV fas-
ten one end to the mast of the vessel and
the other to a rock on the coast, and by
that means we may all get on shore"
" But captain it is impossible !! d" said
the mate, pointing to the surf breaking
on the sharp rocks. Whoever should
attempt to run such risk would GER
tainly be dashed to pieces"
We'll, said the captain, in low
tone, " we must all die together"
At this moment there was a slight
quiet among the sailors who were silent
ly waiting for orders.
What is the matter there ?" inouir
ed the captain.
Captain" replied a failor, this little
monkey OF cabin-boy is asking to swim
to shore with a strong string round his
body to draw the cable after him; he is
as obstinate as little mule !" and he
pushed jacques into the midst of the
circle.
The boy stood turning his cap found
and round In his hand without daring to
utter word.
" Nonsense such a child can't go!"
said the captain, rouL hly.
But jacques was not a character TO
be so easily discouraged.
" Captain" said he, timidly, "you
don't wish to expose the lives of good
sailors like these; it does not matter
what becomes of " little monkey" of
a cabin-boy, as the boatswain calls me
Give NE ball of strong string. which
will unroll as | get on, fasten one end
round my body, and | promise you that
within an hour the rope will be we'll fas-
tened to the shore, or | will perish in
the attempt"
" Does he know how to swim ?" asked
the captain.
A." As swiftly and easy as an EEL" re.
piled one Of the crew.
" L could swim up the Seine from
Havre to Paris said little JACQUES.
The captain hesitated but the lives
OF all on board were at stake, and he
yielded. Jacques fastened to prepare
for his terrible undertaking. Then he
turned and softly approached the cap.
tain.
" Captain" said he, 4" as 1 NAV be
lost may ask you to take charge of
something for me?"
."CeItainly, my boy" said the cap.
tam, who was almost repenting of hav.
ing yielded to his entreaties.
Here, then, captain" replied JAG
ques, holding out two FIVE franc pieces
wrapped in bit of rag I" if I am eaten
by the porpoisos, and you get safe 10
land, be so kind as to give this to my
mother, who lives on the quay at Havrc;
ana will you tell her that l thought of
her, and that love her very much, as
well as all my brothers and sisters ,"
" BE easy about that my boy If you