Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-17
NO. 2ss
would not dare the pirils before them.

as we dared to 60 to the breakers, it
looked perfectly awful. while the attempt
to launch a boat seemed absolute mad
ness. 1t was evident that the men thought
so too. though, as we came up, one sturdy
fellow shouted: II am ready, mates, it
you're going" remark that elected no
response, for every one stood stolidly gaz-
ing ont toward the doomed vessel.
just then, in the dull haze sewards, a
blue light shone out over the water like
dull star; but still no one moved. All at
once, the old man by side laid hold of my
arm, and whispered; ''Give me a lift sir !"
and before knew hardly what his object
was, he had climbed by my help into the
boat. 'Now then, you boys" he shouted
wildly; Il can't stand this! Standeaside,
and let some of the old ones comer'
The spell was broken. Women were
hastily thrust aside, and boats crew was
soon made up, amidst the shrieking and
wailing of sweethearts and wives. who
ran about the beach wringing their hands
"Hurray for old Mark ~ shouted voice
at my elbow, and the crowd loudly cheer
ed the old man. The oars were shipped
and all made ready, the old sailor seizing
the old steering-oar as he stood up in his
place with life-belt on and his hat blown
Now, are you all ready ?" he shouted.
mo, no." was the cry; and in the hush
of expectation, two men rose in the boat
dashed off their life-belts, and amidst half
muttered groans, leaped out from their
places, and ran up the sands to the bank.
where they disappeared.
1.-TWO more ~ shouted old Marks, and
| for a few moments, so dread was the peril,
not a soul moved; then two stout lads
came rushing towards the boat, pursued
by an elderly mana perfect giant.
"Stop them !" he roared. ''Yer shan't
CO. lads"
He came up to them by the boatsde as
they were climbing in, and endeavored to
stop their progress; but in his turn he was
seized from behind by couple of men.
and the two newcomers were in half a
minute equipped for the dire struggle be-
| fore them and in their places.
"Let me go!'' shrieked the man; but
the others clung TO him, as the signal was
given, the carriages backed down into po-
siton, the time accurately chosen, and
with wide 'hurrah heard above the
storm. the life-boat was LAUNCHED.
My attention had been so taken up that
had ceased to look upon the man who
was struggling to regain his liberty; but
just as the boat was leaving its carriage,
bystander was driven violently against me,
and the moment after | saw figure dash
across the intervening space, and seize
the side of the boat; and then came the
roar of the storm and the rush of spray;
while for moment the life-boat was in
visible. Then short distance on, she was
seen rising upon wave, and then disap-
pear again into the dull haze, which,
mingled with the coming night, soon shut
everything from our gaze but the foaming
water.
"Over seventy, sir,n shouted voice in
reply to query. "Old man o'war's man.
Been in many storm; but this here's
awful"
Awful il was for so wild night had
not fallen upon that part of the coast for
many years; and as the folks upon the
shore gazed in the direction the boat had
taken. they shook their heads, and shouted
in each others ears.
There was long and awful pause, only
broken by the shrieking of the wind, and
then came loud shout; ''Here she
comesr' and in another minute, obedient
to their steersman, the rowers timed their
strokes to a second, so that the boat, heay
lily laden, rode in upon the summit of 4
hands were at her side, and she was run
up the sands. and fifteen shivering, half
drowned fellow-creatures lifted out and
hurried up the shore.
i Now, my lads" cried old Marks, ION
to the truck with her. and we're off again"
The boat was soon mounted, and every
man at his post, the father of the two
lads taking his place by the side of the old
cockswain; for no amount of persuasion
on either side could effect change.
There was another cheer, rising above
the storm, and again the gallant crew
were launched into the surf, that seemed
to curl round them as though to fill it in
an instant. 1t rose and fell dark mass
amid the white foam for an instant, and
then seemed to plunge into a bank Of fog
gy hlackness, for night had fallen.
l could not drag myself away from the
stirring scene around me, for | seemed
held to the spot by "A strange fascination.
All at once Il lurid light shot up, for q
quantity of straw had been set on fire. and
the flames roared and cracked as the dry
sea weed and pieces of wood were heaped
up to increase the glare, which appeared
to gild the crests of the waves, and threw
into bold relief the figures on the sand
some gazing out to sea some watching
eagerly the fringe of breakers, ready to
rush down and secure any thing that might
be washed ashore from the wreck.
More straw was heaped upon the fire.
and the flames and sparks rushed inland,
as they rose with the mighty current of
air, and darted across the sand-bank. Out
seaward all seemed black darkness, and
!, the eyes strained after the life-boat were
} tor while strained in vain.
All at once there was cry of ''Here she
comes; !" but it was prolonged into wild
wall of despair; for by the light from the
fire the boat could be seen broadside ON,
and close inshore; and then, after tossing
about for II moment, she was dashed, bot
tom upwards, upon the sands.
There was a rush to aid the men strug-
Cling in the surf. Some were dragged
ashore; some scrambled unaided from the
water; while more than one was sucked
back by the undertow; but the liie-belts
, they wore kept them afioat; and at last,
l more or less hurt; the whole crew was
} ashore-three being carried up to the vii