Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-04-20
THE rIAsON's CHILD.
CHAPTER I.


Faster and faster spread the flames, |
and now the ship was enveloped in |
a fiery sheet. Men and women rush. |
ed madly over the side to meet a
quicker but less painful death. The
boats, with one exception, had been
! overladen and capsized. There
were hasty prayers, and heartrend-
| ing cries of misery and distress.
Death hovered, Vulture like, over
his victims; some clung desperately
| to the vessels side, some supported
| themselves in the water by articles
snatched hastily from the burning
ship, and with which they had leap
ed wildly into the sea. The cap
| tain sang through his trumpet,
"Take heart and sustain yourself as
long as possible. A ship is coming
to our relief"
James Durant stood upon the al
| most deserted deck with his only
child, but four years of age, folded
closely in his arms. He discovered
it last, but it was at least four miles
off. Before the ship could arrive,
they must be burned to death; or, If
he sprang, as others had, down into
the water, both he and the child
would be drowned, for he was no
swimmer.
The little arms were twined about
his neck, the pale cheek rested con-
fidingly against his own, but the
brave child did not tremble.
40 my God, is there no help?''
| cried the despairing father, as the
flames swept nearer, and he felt that
his position could be held but lit
tie longer.
"Here, give the child to me, and
will save her." and turning quickly
Mr.. Durant stood face to face with
q stranger who had life-preservel
in his hand.
4 "Ouickl there is no time to bt
IostI The child can have my life
preseryer, and it will float her easi
fv. Yonder is another ship; 1 hav'
been watching it for the last fiv'
minutes. 1t win reach US in half al
hour at the most. There, that il
I fastened securely. Now, little girl
L am going to throw you into tn
water. You are not afraid!"
"No, no, but papa?"
The father caught her franticall.
in his arms.
"My darling Eva, you may neve
see your father again; but do no
, fear-God will guard you, and some
J. body will find you and take care o
you. If you never see papa again
e remember he is in heaven wit
mamma"
"Has she no relativesG" asked tn
stranger.
=, 'cNone in this country; am fror
" England, and am travelling for he
health"
"Take that pin from your bosoI
and fasten it to her clothing"
Heaven help you for the thought
said the father; and in a moment tn
- square and compass was glistenin
on the bosom of the child, and th
stranger took her from her father
- arms saying:
Il al am stronger than you, she mu
be cast beyond the reach of thei
poor drowning wretc ches, or the
will rob her of the life preserYer
The white drapery huttered thr
the air and sank below the wave
;. then rising, it fioated lightly on Il
water.
wn James turned to the stranger wi
l6- fearful eyes.
me- me- 'sAIay God bless you and preser-
So, YOU, noblest of men. But you
well as myself must be lost"
'.No, am good swimmer, al
here is a piece Of board with viii
or or You can sustain yourself until rel
arrives"
The father cast another glance
the white speck floating rapid
up away, and with an inward sc
,Gr. preserve herv' sprang into the s.
followed by the stranger; but
two floated in different Idirectiol
and they saw each other no more
Is Two hours later, James Ours
awoke, as from the sleep of dea
and found himself in the cabin o
PS strange ship, with kind and sym
.ast. thizing faces all around him; in
moment he realized all that /
passed, and said, eagerly, thou
;. feeblv, "NIy child, little Eva, is
=, safe?" There was no response, 1
have a low moaned escaped the fatht
u d be lips.
SG's fearful ewes, "some of. the pass
At gers were saved by another ship.
re, The fathers countenance light
, ana "God grant that she may be safe.
'A ! Mr.. Durant recoYcd his Us