The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-02-08
THE MAS0N'S CHILD.

u
but less painful death The boats, with
ono exception, had been overladen and
capsized. There were hasty prayers,
and hcart-reudng cries of misery and
distress. De.th lowered, vu!ture like,
over his victims some clung desperately
to the vessels side, some supported them-
selves in the water by articles snatched d
hastily from the burning ship, and with
which they had leaped wildly into the
sea- The captain sang through his
trumpet Take heart, and sustain
yourselves as long as possible. A ship
is coming to our relief"
james Durant stood upon the almost
deserted deck with his only child but
four years of age, folded closely to his
arms. He discovered it at last, but it
was ut 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
ch,ld would be drowned, for he was no
swimmer.
The little arms twined about his neck
the pale cheek rested confidingly agains,
his own, but the brave child did not
trenuble. .ui
% my God, isthcre no help p cried
the de>pairing father, as the flames
swept nearer, and he felt that his pres
ent positiQW could not be held Lut little
longer.
Here, give the child to me. and I
will save her. aud turning quickly Mr..
Dprant stood face to face with stranger
who had liie- preserver in his hand.
Quick there is no dime to be lost
The child can have my lie prcservcr.
and il will float her easily. Youder is
another ship | have been watching it
fsS- tho 'inst Gso minutes I. iii ,re.vl,
us in half an hour at tho most There.
that is fastened securely. Now. little
+girl, | am going to throw you iuto the
water. You are not AFRAID 2
No, no, but la.he-?'
The father caught srcr frantically to
his arms.
Ny dearest, darling Eva, you may
never zee your father again but do not
itsfAGod' will guat d you. If you never
see papa again, rc.ueu,ber he is iu Heay.
en- with mama .saa.4,4
Has she no relaiiye? ? asked the
stranger. ,''f
None in this country; am from
England, and travelling for her health ;
Take that pin from your bosom aud
fasten it to her clothing
Heaven help you for tho thought
said the father and in saemeut the
squire and cotnpnss WIS glistening on
the bosom of the child ; aud the strans.
er took her from her father's arm., say
Ing 81 am stronger than you, aud she
must be cast beyond the reach of these
poor drowning wretches. or tkcy will
: rob her of her liie preserver.'
The white drapcry futtered through
the air. and sank below the waves then
ris ny, foated lightly on the water.
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes
May God bless you and preserve you,
noblest of men. But you, us we'll as
myself, must be lost
NO, an a good swimmer, and ere
is pcice OF board with which you can
sustain yourself until relief arrives
] he father cast another glance at the
speck flonting rapidly away, and with an
inward God preserve her, sprang into
the sea, followed by the stranger bu,
the two fcated iu different directions
and they saw each no more.
l. Two hours later, James Durant awoke
as from the sleep Of death, and found
himself in the cabin Of a strange ship
with kind and sympa,hizing faces all
around him. In moment he realiz, ID
that all had passed, and said ngerly
though fecbly, My child, little Eva, is
she safe? There was no response, aud
Y low moan escnpedth fathers lips.
Courage. SIR said lady with tear
ful eyes some Of the pass ngers we're
saved b. another ship t;
s ghe fathers c"untenance lighted, =
God grant that theJ be safe
Mr. purant recovered his u.ual
strength in few hours, aud sought
among the saved for the stranger who
proved himself so true Masonic broth
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