The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-10-25
Popular GALES,
A STORY OF THE TIDE,

Oh the coast OF Normandy, near Gran-
vile, the rise and fall of the tide are very
great being about forty-four feet at spring
tides. 1t comes in very rapidly and in
particular places may be seen making up
in great wave two or three feet high.
In book on Normandy the following ad-
venture is narrated of two English gentle
men. They had been out on the sands
watching the manner in which sand cells
were caught, and examining the structure
Of the rocks, which were like sponges,
when of sudden one of them, whose
name was Cross, shouted, aI forgot the
tide, and here it comes p
His companion, whose name was Hope,
turned toward the sea and saw stream Of
water running at rapid rate, and replied
quickly, II suppose we had better be of.
If we can, replied Cross, "by cross
ing the rocks we may yet be in time"
They began to scramble up the rocks,
and walked as fast as they could towards
the nearest shore but it was some time
before they reached the highest point On
gaining it they looked round, and saw
that the sand was not yet covered, though
lines Of blue water here and there showed
how fast it was rising. They fastened on
but had not gone far when they found
that the sand was in narrow strips, with
sheets Of water between but seeing little
girl before them who was familiar with the
beach, they cried: awe shall do yet |"
and ran forward.
The girl, however, instead of going to-
ward the shore, was running to meet them,
and almost out Of breath cried, "The
wave the wave it is coming Turn,
turn run, or we are lost"
They did turn, and saw cut at sea a
large wave rolling toward the shore. Out
of breath as they were, they yet increased
their speed as they retraced their steps
toward the rocks they had Just left. The
little girl passed them and led the way.
The two friends strained every nerve to
keep pace with her, for as they neared the
rocks the wave still rolled toward them,
the sand becoming gradually covered.
Their last few steps were knee deep in
water
"Quick, quickl" said the girl "there
is the passage to cross, and if the second
wave comes, we shall be too late
She ran on for hundred yards till she
came to crack in the rock six or seven
feet wide, along which the water was
rushing like mill sluice.
ave are lostf said the girl; "I can
not cross; it will carry me away"
" Is it deep ?" said Cross.
"Not very" she said but it is too
strong"
Gross lifted the girl in his arms, plunged
into the stream, and though the water
was up to his waist, he was soon across.
His companion followed, and all three now
stood on the rock.
"Come on, come on = cried the girl
'we are nearly there !" and she led the way
to the highest point of the rocks, and on
reaching 1t cried, ave are safe now y
All were thoughtful for moment, as
they saw the danger which God had deliv-
cred them from; looking round, the sand
was one sheet of water.
W. a.e 9uiie saie mere, SAID the giri
put we shall have to stay three or four
hours before we can go to the shore"
"What made you forget the tide ?" said
Gross you must know the tide we'll"
II did not forget It, she replied; "but
feared, as you were strangers, you would
be drowned, and | ran back to tell you
what to do"
And did you risk your life to save
ours ] SAID Hope, the tears starting to his
eyes;
II thought, at any rate, should get
mere, she replied; but Twas very nearly
too late.
nGPe sook tne l!t,le g,rl In his arms and
,;,s ,o'eu ne' anu sa,, we owe you our
"'es, you o,ase ii..ie mad
MtduM0lle tNe wafer WAS rIHlup rapidlu