Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-05-07

great ueep. Iheu oaHo 'no law w ii'e
and death. Barrows of sand rolled up to
the place-the needles flew through the
canvass-the bags were flled-a hundred
hands we're busy in piling them. and for
some time it seemed as if the waves were
baffled in their intent.
Towards nine o'clock that nj ght the
gust drove fercer. and the rain beat hea-
vier, on Farmer Schoorls gables. Aud
ever and anon came sound which none
then present had before heard-a heavy
fall and rush on the roof, as the tops OF
some of the mountain waves were carried
right over the embankment, and swept
down like a deluge into the village
Mother and children sat by the fire in ter
ror-scarcely word spoken-only now
and then half suppressed cry as the
thunder of the sea, or the roar of the fall
ing spray, was louder than common.
A knock at the door. 1t topened. The
beggar who had left shortly after Conrad
Schoorl had gone forth. again entered.
s'Do you wish to be saved?" said he -
IF you do, follow me-"
"Follow you where p cried Dame
Schoor1, wildly. "And where is my hus-
band ~ -*
''Bc of good cheer" be answered.
"Your husband shall be saved also But
in an hour, where we are now standing
will be deep sea. One house only in the
village will hold out against the inunda-
ton, and that is Jan Maarsen's. Thither
you must 60"
They looked at him in amazement. -
Beggar still in outward appearance, he
spoke so that they felt that his words were
truth. None dared to ask him whence he
had his tidings.- They knew not who it
was that spake; only they felt that he was
not of this world Z
,"Will my husband and my son be saw
ed p asked Dame Fleta, in low voice.
Il will look to their safety Follow
me, and at once"
Steadying themselves as we'll as they
could against the blast, the mother and
her children went forth into the village
street. A pitch black night. On the
sea-wall were glaring chastity fires; and
ever and anon a bright cloud of spray
bursting up high abovoThom. Ia' the
streets, women and children hurrying
wildly by. Cries, shrieks, and confusion
everywhere.
''Press on, and turn neither right nor
left" said their leader.
A louder thunder from the dyke; and
such a shower of spray fell as drenched
them to the skin, and made them gasp for
breath :
''Keep on to Maarsen's." again said
their guide; go to save the others.
They passed on. At the garden wall
they meet Jan Maarsen himself, hurrying g
out in frenzy of despair.
"Stay. good neighbor, stay" cried
Dame Schoorl. But he rushed past
Thankful once more to be in shelter, the
three FASTENED in at the door which the
unhappy man had left open, closed it, aud
sank down on their knees.
''We have made a good fight, boys .
said the Water warden on the dyke; but
we are beaten. God have mercy on our
souls! for our bodies will be for the fishes. ="
'Can nothing more be done ?" said
Poppo.
"What is the use Of building above,
when the foundations are going?' said
Oosterhouf cody. ''Come, my lads. let
US all forgive and ask to be forgiven, if
we have any matter between US; and then
kneel down and the sea may do its worst. .
"Follow me-" said deep, low voice, al
Conrad's side.
,-e'Where," he cried, startling. "Whc
spoke ?" "Follow me-" again said The
voice. And father ard son afterwards
used to say that neither knowing why nor
whittier they were to follow, they felt COM
PEELED to 60. They saw nothing; they
only heard voice before them. Gener.
ally it only said f'follow," but once OF
twice it cried more loudly "Follow me
quicker !" EDWARDS and onwards it led
them, till they stood at Jan Maarsen's
door.
In said the voice; "and take refuge
in the upper room; and you will be say.
ed.''
At the same hour, fifty miles off, Philir
Schoorl. the boat builder of Harderwyck
was sitting at supper. A low, quaint,
boarded room. leaning out over the canal
the walls ornamented with three or foul
strange fish, dried, and nailed against the
panelling; tho fire cracking and merry:
the rain dashing in floods against the shut.
ters; even the lazy canal rippling against
it's bank.
ga bad night this" said Philip to him
self. GA very bad night. The Water.
staat will have enough to do. Try the
dykes. this will" And he solaced him
self with another draught from the tank
ard which stood by his elbow.
Astep on the crazy. tumble-dow stairs
"Who can it be at this time of night?
said the old boat-builder. ''Why the
whole town must be abed."
The beggar whom we saw before al
Kamp opened the door.
t'Philip Schoorl," said he, "man boa
for Alkmaar
The old mamie knew not why-trem.
bled.