Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-26

lDS lue dDS6nee OF tne lIe-DOaJ on IT'S
perilous mission would prove too severe
a tax on her nervous system, already so
intensely wrought upon.
But the time for action had arrived.
A solemn silence fell for some moments
on the little assemblage, which was op.
pressively felt, even in the midst of the
shrieking gale and the deep, snllen roar
of the breakers, and q burthen of sus-
pense weighed down the heart of each,
like premonition of evil.
Then the bravest among them rallied
and sprang to the work, and every other
hand was ready to extend assistance.
Two light coasters were first drawn close
down, behind a receding wave, each in
charge of six stout, active boatmen, who
stood, three on either side, grasping
firmly the edge of their respective boats,
waiting for the next incoming wave. 1t
came on, soon as they were ready for it,
towering above them like a mountain,
and rolling like an approaching ava
lanche. 1t struck them, kurying in an
instant the entire party; then they rose
like corks to the surface, and were rap
idly swept along upon the tide, back to-
ward the beach. Bot the great volume
of the wave slipped out beneath them,
and outstripped them, sweeping farther
and farther up the slopipg beach, and
they were left in water so shallow that
their feet rested on the bottom.
Instantly, as if with one and the same
impulse, the watchful boatmen turned
about with their faces toward the sea and
ran as fast as possible in that direction,
forcing their light boats farther out to-
ward deep water. The returning swell
came down upon them-it caught them
up, and before another advancing wave
came in, had borne them far out beyond
the line of breakers.
One after another, in rapid succession,
the mountainous pillows charged upon
the little boats, with their struggling
crews, threatening them with instant
destruction. But once well sfoat, and
out of reach of the breakers, they clam
bered over the side of their boats, and set
to work ia real sailor fashion, to triumph
over wind and wave.
Several of them busted themselves in
bailing out the accumulation of sea.
water, while their companions managed
Il q
labor to employ every hand, and they
undertook it earnestly and with a will.
On the crest of mighty wave the two
little boats were lifted high in air, above
the agitated surface of the sea. The veil
of mists was parted for an instant, and
the anxious group on shore caught sight
of them, saw them still triumphsntly
battling with the bilows, and they set up
joyous shout, loud and long, the faint
est echo of which reached the ears of the
brave boatmen, and it encouraged them
to still more powerful exertions.
The success of their doubtful struggle,
they saw, would mainly depend on their
keeping near together, within co-opera-
ting distance. Thus far the little ves-
sells had not parted company. A light
but strong line trailed from the stern of
one of the boats, and connected with the
shore. This boat now swung in before
its companion, and about thirty yards in
advance.
The crews of both, except the men at
the oars, laid bold upon the line, and by
their combined exertioRs a stouter rope
was drawn from shore, attached to the
lifs-boat, which score of strong arms
launched upon a retreating wave. After
a brief but desperate struggle against
wind and tide, it was drawn close up to
the little boats. Four men from the
crews of each lesped over the side
of the life-boat, and bending to the long
oars, slowly and laboriously made their
way toward Sheppey Island.
L. t,.- .1o,3o,. aaa1 -,
charge cf two men, put about toward
shore, having accomplished their pur-
pose, in towing the larger boat through
the breakers, which could not have been
done without such assistance. The
boat in any other case would undoubtedly
have been dashed in pieces. In return
ing they rowed in close to the shore, just
before an advancing swell, which caught
up the frail boats like corks, raising them
high aloft, and deposited them bottom
upward far up on the beach.
The noble life-boat, with its undaunled
crew, continuation its service of love and
humanity. 1t was an arduous labor, and
one which, without the stimulant of ever
present peril and deep anxiety to urge
them on to almost greater than human
exertiou, they could not in all probability
have accomplished.
Wind and tide were set directly OPP
posed to them, and the island to which
they we're directing their course lay too
low and level to windwardio afford them
any degree of shelter from the fierce gale,
until they had approached very near to il.
On the narrow beach the excited group
awaited the return of the life-bost, with
the most painful fear and anxiety. And
as the long weary hours came and went,
and night drew near without bringing any
tidings or sign Of the imperiled crew, this
feeling increased to a terror OF alarm
little less poignant than certainty OF the
worst could be.
At length darkness began to descend
upon sea aud land, yet from the pitiless
sea no sight met the eye but the wrestling
of the tempest with the angry waters,
and no sound but the loud contention of
wind and wave. The life-boat had not
returned, nor the brave heroes who went
forth in her, trusting their lives to her
staunoh strength. ..
Their agonized families and friends on