Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-11-03

STORY OF THE TIDE.-On thu coast Of Nor
mandy, near Granville, 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 bo seen making up In
great wave two or three feet high. In a book
on Normandy the following adventure Is parra-
ted Of two English gentlemen. They had boen
out on the sands watching the manner In which
sand-eels were caught, and examing the struc-
ture CT the rocks, which were like spongs. when
Of sudden one of them, whose name was
comes!
| His companion, whose name was Hope, tur-
ned toward the sea and saw q stream OF water
running at rapid rate. and replied quickly, Il
suppose we had better be off,
They began TO scramble up the rocks, and
walked as fast as they could towards the near
est shore but It was some time before they
reached the highest point. On gaming 1t they
looked round, and saw that the sand was not
yet covered, though lines Of blue water here and
there showed how fast 1t was rising. They
haslened on, but had not gone far when they
iound that the sand was In narrow strips, with
sheets OF water between; but seeing q girl be-
lore them who was familiar with the beach,
cried: 'We shall do yet p and ran forward.
The girl, however, instead Of going toward 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 out at sea large
wave rolling toward the shore. Out of breath
as they we're, 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 herr for as they neared
the rocks the waves still rolled toward them,
the sand becoming gradually covered. Their
last few steps were knse-deep in water.
Quick, quick ! said the girl 'thers Is tho pas
sage 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 running like mill
sluce.
'We are lost said thj girl; Il cannot cross
IL will carry me away
SIS II deep" said Cross.
Not very, she said but IL is too strong.'
Cross lifted the girl in his arms, plunged into
The stream, and, though the water was up TO his
waist. lie was soon across. His companion fol-
lowed, and all three stood OH tho rock
'Come oil, come on cried the gll I'VE are
nearly there ! and she led the way to the highest
point OF rocks, and OH reaching il cried, I'VE are
safe now ?
AL, were Thoughtful for moment, as they
saw the danger which God had delivered them
from looking round, the sand was one sheet
ofwater.
'We are quite safe here said the girl 'but we
shall have TO stay three or four hours before we
can go to the Shore
what made you forget the tide p said Cross
'syou must know tho tide WE'LL"
81 did not forget it," she replied; 'but fear
ed, as you were Strangers, you would be down
ed, and ran back TO tell you what 10 do"
'And didyou risk your life to save ourss said
Hope the tears starting to his eyes.
thought, at any rate, should get here,' she
replied; 'but was very nearly too late.'
Hope took the little girl in his arms and kiss
ed her, and said, we owe you our lives, YOU
brave little inaid'
Meanwhile the water was rising rapidly. till
IL almost touched their feet.
There is no fear said the. girl 'the points
OF the rocks are always dry
Gold comfort said Hope, looking at them
~. ,Sns ~ what shall We do for our young friend =
Ii we put all tue money ia our pockets into a
handkerchief and tie it around her neck 1t W III
warm her, warrant, for she looks cold enough.
One OF them had twenty, and the other sew
enteen francs, and binding these In a knot Mr..
Hope passed IL round her neck. On receiving
II she blushed with delight, kissed both their
hands and cried, 'lIow jealous my sister Angela
VIII De, anu how happy my motlier!'
Just then wave rolled past, and the water
began to run along the little platform they were
sitting upon; they rose AMI mounted on the |
rocky points, and had scarcely reached them |
wheh Inc waller was foot deep where they had |
Just been seated. Another wave ca,na-tbe
water was within six inches of their feet.
III Is terrible high tide,' said the girl, sbut II !
we hold together we shall not be washed away., |
On looking TO the shore they saw a great
many people clustering togetIisr on the nearest |
POINT; faint sound Of cheers was heard, and |
they could see hats and handkerchiefs waved to |
;hemI.
iha tiie has turned,' sad the girl, and they |
are shouting to cheer ns'
She was tight; in five minutes .he place wss
dry. f0
Ihey had some hours to wait before tlev
could venture on the sand, 1t was quite dark he,
fore they reached the beach but at length |
guided by the lights on shore, they gained their
own nome IN safety, not unmindful of Him
who says to the proud waves. .Hitherto shall
thou come, and no further, anu here shall Inv
proud waves be stayei.' The fiiends hand. |
somey rewarded the little fisher girl for her bra |
very. ""