The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-08-01
The Mason's Child.
CHAPTER

flames, and now the ship was envel
oped in a fiery sheet. Men and wO
men rushed madly over the side t,
meet a quicker but less painful
death. The boats with one excep
tion had been overladen and cap
sizei. There were hasty prayers
and heartrending cries of miserr
and distress. Death hovered. Wi
ture-like, over his victims; SOM
clung desperately to the vessel.
side, some supporting themselves il
the water by articles snatched hasti
ly from the burning ship, and will
which they had leaped wildly into
the flames. The captain sang
through his trumpet: ''Take hear
and sustain yourselves as long a:
possible. a ship IS coming to oul
relief"
James Durant stood upon the al
most deserted deck with his only
child, but four years of age, CLOSELY
folded in his arms. He discovered
it at last, but it was at least -four
miles of. Before the ship could ar.
rive, they must be burned to death
-Or, if he springs, 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 tremblc.
90 my God, is there no help?'
the despairing father cried, as the
flames swept nearer, and felt that
his present position could be held
but little longer.
"Hcre, give the child to me, and
l will save her." and turning quick
~ Mr.. Durant stood face to face
with a stranger who had q life-pre-
server in his hand.
"Quicki there is no time to lose
The child can have my life-preserv-
er and it will float her easily. Yon-
der is another ship; I have been
watching it for the last five min
utes. 1t will reach US in half an
hour at the NEST. There, that is
fastened securely. Now little girl,
1 am going to throw you into the
water You are not afIaidY' -l
"NO, no; but father?'
The father caught her frantically
in his arms.
MY darling Eva, you may never
see your fatheC again; but do not
fear, God will take care of you, and
somebody will find you and take
care of you. If you never see papa
again, remember he is 10 heaven
with mamma"
"Has she no relativesY' asked the
stranger. .GsgE.s
"None in this country; I am from
England, and am travelling for her
health"
Take that pin from your bosom
and fasten it in her clothing"
'Heaven help you for the thought
said the father; and in n moment
the square and compass was glisten-
ing on the bosom of the child: and
the stranger took her from her IA
Tiers arms saying: ''I am stronger
than you, she must be east beyond
the reach of these poor drowning
wretches, or they will rob her of her
-pTeserver.
The white drapery huttered
through the air, and sank below the
waves; then rising, it hOated lightly
on the water.
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes.
"May God bless you and preserve
YOU, noble and best of men. But
you as well as myself, must be lost. +"
mo, l am a good swimmer, and
here is q piece Of board with which
you can sustain yourself until relief
arrives"
The father cast another glance at
the white speck floating rapidly
away and with an inward "God pre-
serve herw sprang into the sea, fol-
lowed by the stranger; but the two
in different directions, and
they saw each other no more.
Two hours later, James Durant
awoke from the sleep of death, and
found himself in the cabin of a
ship, with kind and sympa-
faces all around him; in a
moment he realized all that had
passed, and said eagerly, though
feebly, "AIy child, little Eva, is she
safey' There was no response, and
a low moan escaped the father S lips.
Courage, sir" said a lady with
fearful eyes, "some Of the passen-
gers were saved by another ship"
The fathers countenance lighted,
"God grant that she may be safe.
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual
strength in a few hours, and sought
among the saved for the stranger
who had proved himself so true a
Masonic Brother, but he was hot to
be found. ...
"He must be on the other ship"
said Mr.. Durant, land he will care
for Eva" ra ..rn .f
Both ships were at port on the
following day, but although Dir.
DUrant found the stranger who had
Defriended him, and who proved TO
be Mr. Wadsworth, from a South
,rn city, Eva was seen by no one
md was given up as lost.