Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-10-11
The Sailor Boy of Hayre.

A French Brig was returning from
Toulon to Hayre with a rich cargo and
numerous passengers. Off the coast of
Bretagne, it was overtaken by sudden
and violent storm.
Captain P, an experienced sailor,
at once saw the danger which threatened
the ship on such rocky coast, and he
gave orders 10 put out TO sea but the
winds and waves drove the brig violently
towards the shore, and Notwithstanding
all the efforts Of the crew, j. continued
to get nearer the land
Among the most active Ua board in
doing all that he could to help, was little
Jacques, a lad twelve years old, who was
serving as cabin boy in the vessel At
times when be disappeared for moment
behind the folds Of Il sail, the sailors
thought that he had fallen overheard
and again, when wave threw hun 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, 10 al
old sailor ''wouid be frightened enough
if she saw me just now.
His mother, who lived at Hayre, was
very poor and had large family. Jac-
ques loved her tcnderly, and he was en-
joying the prospect of carrying 10 her his
little treasurc--iwo franc pieces, which be
had earned as wages for the voyage.
The brig was beaten about Il whole
day by the STERN, 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
81 ID. All at once 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 pray.
Lower the boats :" cried the captain.
The sailors obeyed; but no sooner
were the boats i'll the water than they
were carried away by the violence Of the
wav,s
1--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 a rope to the shore. We may
fasten one end TO the mast of the vessel
and the other to rock on the coast, and
by that means we may all get on shore"
" But captain it is impossible! said
the mate pointing to the surf breaking on
the sharp rocks. " Whoever should at
tempt to run such risk would certainly
be dashed to pieces"
.'Well," said the captain, in a low
tone we must all die together, !
At this moment there was q slight
quiet among the sailors who were silently
waiting for orders.
s'What is the matter there ?'' inquired
the captain.
g Captain, replied sailor, this little
monkey of cabin-boy is asking to swim
to shore with strong string round his
body to draw the cable after him he Is
as obstinate as little mule 20 and he
pushed jacques into the midst of the
circle.
The boy stood turning his cap round
and round III his hand without daring to
utter word.
Nonsense such child can't go!"
said the captain roughly.
But Jacques was not character TO be
so easily discouraged.
"Captain," said he timidly, ''you
lon't wish to expose the lives of good |
sailors likes these; it does not matter |
what becomes of " little monkey" of |
/ cabin-boy, as the boatswain calls me.
Give me ball of strong string, which |
viii unroIl as | get on, fasten one end
ound my body, and promise you that
within an hour the rope will be well fast
med to the shore, or | will perish in the
Lttempt."
- Does he know how to swim 20 asked
he captain.
I" As swiftly and easy as an ecl,' re-