Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-10-20
ITi. Oh fHG HASOI'S DABG41ER.
CHAPTER I,

| Men and women rushed madly over the
side to seek quicker but less painful
death. The boats, with one exception,
had been overloaded and capsized. There
were hasty prayers, and heart-rendine
cries of misery and distress Death how
cred, vulture like, over his victims; some
clung desperately to the vessels side, some
supporting themselves in the water by ar
ticles snatched hastily from the burning
ship. and with which they had leaped
wildly into the sea. The Captain sang
through bis trumpet, 'take heart, and sus-
tain yourself as long as possible. A ship
| is coming 10 our relief"
James Durant stood upon the almost
deserted deck, with his only child, but
four years of age, folded closely in his
arms. His eyes swept the horizon in
search OF the ship to which the Captain
had alluded. He dis covered it at length,
| but it was at least four miles oil. Before
the ship could arrive, they must be burned
| to death; cr, IT he sprang as others did
| down into the water. both he and the child
would be drowned, for he was not g swim
| mer.
The little arms were twined about his
neck, the pale cheek rested confidingly
against his own, bat the brave child did
| nos tremble.
20. my God, is there no help ?" cried
the despairing father. as the flames swept
nearer. and he felt that his present posi-
tion could be held but a little longer.
"Here, give the child to me, and will
save her" and turning quickly MIR. Du-
rant stood face to face with stranger who
held a life preserver in his hand.
"Quick there is no time to be lost
The child can have my life preserver, and
it will float her easily. Yonder is another
ship; 1 have been watching it for the last
five minutes. Il will reach us in half an
hour at the most. There, is that fastened
securely ? Now, little girl, I am going to
throw you into tho water. You are not
afraid 2"
''No, no but my papa -
The father caught her frantically in his
arms.
''My darling Eva, you may never see
your father again; but do not fear-God
will guard you, and somebody will find
you and care for You. If You never sec
papa again, remember he is in heaven with
mama"
"Has she no relatives ?" asked the
stranger.
"None in this country; am from Eng
land and am travelling for her health"
Take that pin from your bosom and
fasts2 1t to her clothing"
Heaven help you for the thought" said
the father; and in q moment the square
and compass was glistening in the bosom
of the child and the stranger took her
from her fathers arms, saying: " am
stronger than you; she must be cast be-
yOnd tho reach OF these poor drowned
wretohes. or they will rob her of her life
preserver."
The white dlapery futtered through the
air. and sank below the waves; then rising
it floated lightly upon the waters.
James turned to the stranger with tear
fal eyes:
''May God bless and preserve you no.
blest of men. Bnt you and myself must
be lost"
''No; I am good swimmer, and here is
piece OF board with which yOn can sus-
tain yourself till relief arrives.
T0e father cast another glance at the
white speck floating rapidly away and,
with an inward "God preserve heri"
sprang into the sea followed by the stran-
ger; but the two hoated in different direc-
tlons and they saw each other no more.
Two hours later James Durant awoke,
ns from the sleep of death, and found him
self in the cabin of q strange ship, with
kind and sympathizing faces all around
him. In moment he realized all that
had passed, and said eagerly, though
feeblv, ''My child, my little Eva, is she
safe p
There was no response, and low moan
escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, sir, said a lady with fearful
eyer, "some passengers were saved by
another ship"
The fathers countenance lighted, "God
grant that she may be saved y
MIR. Durant recovered his usual strength
in a few hours, and sought among the
saved for the stranger who had proven
himself SO true a Masonic brother, but he
was not to be found.
"He must be on the other ship" said
Mr.. Durant, ''and he will care for Eva"
Both ships were at port in New York
the following day. but although Mr.. Du-
rant found the stranger who befriended
him, and who proved to be Mr.. Wads-
worth, from Southern city, Eva had
been seen by no one, and was given up as
lost.
CHAPTER II.
"Here, wife, is child that has Just been
washed upon the beach. She is now cold
and stiff. but think she is not dead. Let
us have some warm fannels Immediately,
and tell Thomas to run for DIR. Hunt"
It was long before the quivering lashes
and feeble futtering of the heart gave
token that success would crown the efforts
| of Eva's rescuers; but, by and by the lids
parted, and revealed two large liquid sky
blue eyes, that wandered from face to face
in a bewildered way, and then closed
| wearily.
| Il lear Sn0 Will not recover very rapid
| ly," said the DR.. ''She has a delicate
constitution and will require the best OF
| care"
| "Poor Child" said Mrs. Turner, "IIdo
not wonder she is nearly dead. but who
can she be Some terrible acoident must
have occurred at sea-"
| "You had better examine her clothing, 81
said the Dr.; "perhaps you may find some
| clue to her relations -
Mrs. Turner lifted the gossamer white
dress and turned it over and over. The
pquare and compass placed by Mr.. Durant
flashed upon the eyes of all at orce. The
DIR. and Mrs. Turner looked at each other,
but neither spoke. and Mrs. Turner did
not notice the tear that glistened in her
husbands eyes.
The doctors fears that Eva would not
recover rapidly, proved to be we'll found
| ed; days and weeks of fever succeeded the
Awakening to life, during which she talked
incoherently OF papa" and ''poor dead
mama" and of the burning ship" and of
''hunger." She finally awoke to con-
seriousness, and asked many questions as