The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-05-31
The @edfora Gazette,
THE SAILOR BOY OF HAvaE.

A French brig was returning from
Toul0n to Havre with rich cargo and
numerous passengers. OFF the coast of
Bretagne, it was overtaken by a sud-
den and violent storm.
Captain P, an experienced sail
or, at once saw the danger which
threatened the ship on such rocky
coast, and gave orders to put out to sea;
but the winds and waves drove the
brig violently toward shore, and not
withstanding 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 lit
tie Jacques, lad twelve years old, who
was serving as cabin-boy in the vessel.
At times when he disappeared for a
moment behind the folds of the sails,
the sailors thought that he had fallen
overheard; and again, when a wave
threw him 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 in Havre,
was very poor and had large family.
Jacques loved her tenderly, and he was
enjoying 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 vio-
lent shock was felt, accompanied by
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 they soon
were carried away by the violence of
| the waves.
"We have but one hope of safety"
said the captain. zone of us must be
brave enough to run the risk of swim
ming with rope to shore. We may
| fasten one end to the mast of the YES
sci 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
attemnt tn rnn such risk would cer-
| tainly be Uiu7iIOd tO Pi<rvzo .
"Well," said the captain, in a low
tone, 1--WE must all die together"
At this moment there was a slight
stir among the sailors who were silent
ly waiting for orders.
"What is the matter there?" asked
the captain.
Captain" replied a sailor, "this lit
tie monkey of a cabin-boy is asking to
swim to shore with a strong string
round his body to draw the cable after
him he isas obstinateas little mulew
and he pushed Jacques into the midst
of the circle.
The boy stood turning his cap round
and round in his hand without daring
to utter word.
'Nonsense! such a child can't CO."
said the captain roughly.
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 those; it does not matter
what becomes of a "little monkey of
cabin-boy, as the boat-swain calls me.
Give me ball of strong string, which
will unroll as 1 get on, fasten one end
round my body, and promise you that
within an hour the rope will be well
fastened to the shore, or | will perish
in the attempt"
"Does he know how to swim 2" ask
ed the captain.
GAS swiftly and as easy as an eel"
replied one Of the crew.
81 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, "as l may be lost
may l ask you to take charge of some
thing for me?"
Certainly, my boy" said thecaptain,
who was almost repenting of having
yielded to his entreaties.
"Here, then, captain," replied Jac-
ques, holding out two five-franc pieces
wrapped in bit of rag; i'll am eaten
by the porpoises, and you get safe to
land, be so kind as to give this to my
mother, who lives on the quay at Ha-
vre, and will you tell her that thought
other, and that love her very much,
as well as all my brothers and sisters?"
"Be easy about that my boy. If you
die for US, and we escape, your mother
shall never want for anything.
q II 4