Richland beacon., 1873-09-06
The Dutch Boor and His Horse

school, too young to read, [ heard
thing read OF horse that made bot
my cheeks wet with hot tears. The ma
who owned the horse lived at the cap
of Good Hope, and was called Dutc
boOr, or poor man of Dutch bloc,
who was born on the soil of that no
land, and titled it with the plow an,
hoe. He was kind man at heart
though rough in look and speech. III
loved his mare and she loved him, ant
was with him by day and near him b.
night. She was proud to have him Ol
her back, and would dash throngl
swamps, ponds, and fire, too, if h,
wished it. But one day came that wa.
to prove the faith and love of her stOu
heart, and the soul of the man. A grea
storm came down on the sea. Tn,
waves roared and rose as high as tn,
hills. Their white tops foamed will
rage at the winds, that smote them Will
all their might. The clouds tapped
them with black wings. Night drew
near, and it was scene to make ont
quake with fear. Right in the midst OF
all this rage and roar of wind and sea,
great ship, with sails rent and helm
gone, came in sight. 1t rode on the
| high, white waves, straight on a re # OF
rocks too far from the shore to reach
it with rope. The ship was full of
Young and old, whose cries for heir
could be heard, loud as was the voice
| of the storm. Their boats were gone
like the shells of eggs. There was nc
wood nor time to build raft. The
waves leaped on the ship like great,
white wolves bent on their prey. How
could one soul of them all be saved ?
The men on shore could but look on
the sad sight. They could give no help.
They had no boat nor raft and their
hearts were sick in them. Then the
Dutch boor was seen to draw near at
full speed on his horse. Down he came
to the beach, nor did he stop there one
breath of time. He spoke a word to
her which she knew, and with no touch
of whip or spur. she dashed in and swan
the sea to the ships side with rope
tied to her tail. She wheeled and
stamped her way on the white surge
with row of men to the shore. There
she st lid but for breath. At the soft
word and touch she knew so well, she
turned and once more plOwed through
the surge to the ship, aud brought back
load of young and old. Once more
she stood on the beach, amidst tears of
Joy that fell from all eyes. She stood
the sea. The night fell down fast on
the ship. There were still few more
left on it, and their cries fol help came
on the wind to the shore. The thoughts
that tugged at the brave mans heart
will not be known in this world. The
cries from the ship pierced through and
through. He could not bear to hear
them. He spoke low, soft word to
his horse. He put his hand to her
neck, and seemed to ask her if she
could do it. She turned her head to
him with a look that meant. "f you
wish it, I will try it." He did wish it,
and she tried, TO the last pulse of her
heart. She walked straight out in the
wild sea. All on shore held Nheir
breath at the sight. She was weak but
brave. Now and then the white surge
buried her head; then she rose and
shook the brine ont of her eyes. Foot
by foot she neared the ship. Now the
last man had caught the rope. Once
more she turned her head to the beach.
Shouts and prayers came from it to
keep mp her strength. The tug was
for life she loved more than her own
She broke her veins for it half way
tween ship and shore. She could lift
her feet no more. Her name lay like
black sea-weed on the waves while she
tried to catch one more breath. Then.
with groan, she went down with all
the load she bore, and wall went ont
from the land for the loss of life that
had saved from death near a ships
crew of men. Thus dared and died in
the sea the brave Dutch boor and his
horse. They were, as friends, one in
life. one in death; and both might
we'll have place and rank with the best
lives and deaths we read of in books for
young or old.-Wihu Burriit.