The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1866-01-24
TRUSTED AND TRUsTY.

"Over the side, with We, boy, quick;
one minutes delay may cost your life'
EXCHANGED Mr.. Grey to fellow passenger
n lad of about fourteen, who appeared TO
hesitate about swinging himself down to
a boat which rocked in the waves below
the burning ship. The flames were rag
ing round mast and yard, the sails caught
fire, blazing and shrveled, thick volumes
of smoke hung like funeral pail over the
vessel, and the awful red glare was re-
fected on the sen which glowed like
frey furnace. 1t was no time for delay,
indeed, and vet Reginald drew back from
the vessels side. Il had forgotten it|
he exclaimed, and darted towards the cab
in.
Maduess-he is lost!" muttcred Mr..
Grey; No money was worth such a
risk; that young life is thrown away"
Sailors and passengers with eager
haste lowered themselves into the boats
but there WAS not room for all. Some,
under the direction of the captain, whose
brave spirit only rose with the danger,
hastily lashed spars together to form q
rude raft for the rest. Mr.. Grey labored
among these, graspng and almost faint
ing from the heat which had become well
nigh inlolerable. Often he glanced anx-
iousy towards the hatchway, with the
faint hope of seeing young Reginald
emerge from the burning cabin into which
he had so daringly yentured.
The raft, the last hope of the crew, is
floating on the crimsoned blllows; the
crowded boat has sheared off Mr.. Grey,
half blinded and sutfocated by the heat
and smoke, springs down upon the raft
lie is followed by the captain and all who
remain of the passengers and crew, except
the poor orphan boy. Just about rs they
were to push off," Hold holdw cries
Mr.. Grey, starting up from his place
ms light form, blackened with smoke
and dress singed and burned, appears OF
the deck; he springs over the bulwarks
misses the raft, and the next moment h'
is dragged out Of the billows to lie gasp
ing and exhausted with his head on thu
knee of Mr.. Grey.
"Thank God, my poor boy, that yo'
are saved"
"Thank God" family murmured Reg
inald Glare.
A strange appearance was presented
by the lad. His hair and eyebrow
were singed, marks Of burning were Of
his face and hands, his dress hung in tai
ters about him, but in his grasp ho held
ha, parcel wrapped in oil cloth, and fain
smile rose to his lips as he mutmured
~ am so glad that have it all safe |!
II was not I'LL the vessel had burne,
down in the waters edge, and the flame
had sunk mt last from having nothin
further on which to vent their fury, tho
the captain dared to raise boat sa
which he had the foresight TO carry wit
him. BY means of this he succeeded, a
ter long hours Of painful anxiety, in reacf
ING after sunrise the coast from which th
homeward bound vessel had been nC
many miles distant when the terrible fiji
occurred.
When the worst Of the peril was owe
and the raft under a favoriug breeze WI
floating towards the land, Mr.. Gre.
who felt strong interest in RcginaI
Glare, asked the poor lad questions II
earding his family and position. Il
kuew already that the boy was the orph0
Of a missionary who had died at Sier
Leone; he now found that young Regi
aid was returning to England, TO be d
pendant on an uncle whom he had ne'
seen.
liam glad that you succeeded in sa
} log something" observed Mr.. Grey, wi
), had himself succeeded in saving the pri
! cipal treasures; "doubtless this parcel, {
! which you risked your life, contains som
y thing Of very great vnluep
a do not know ~hat il contains sir
was Reoinalus replv.