The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-04-11

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OF REV. Mr.. ANc1EyT.-Rev. Mr.. Ancient,
the brave man who rescued Chief officer
Firth. is in charge of the church at Terence
bay, and laborS at Prospect as missionary
for tho Colonial Church Society. His people
almost worship him, and he is as good as he
is brave. found him, writes correspond
ent, at his home, near the plain little chapel
on the HILL He is man about thirty-slx
wears of age. IN Englishman by birth, six
feet in height, and strongly built. He has
genial face, a bright eye, q clear head, and
warm heart. He speaks flucntly, but so un-
prctcndingly that his noble action speaks
more loudly than his own modest words.
Since the wreck he has been busy burying
the dead, performing his duty Us minister,
and seeing that everything is done decently
and in order.
Mr.. Ancent's account Of the part he
played in the fearful tragedy was vivid and
int eresting.. When he reached the wreck,
which took place about two miles from his
house, most of the saved had been landed.
lie sought to find them shelter, till his atten-
ton was attracted by the man and the wo-
man in the rigging, and boy on the wreck.
He went to MIR. Ryan, the magistrate, and
said, "Thc water is smooth enough; you
can get alongside ina boat" They were then
hauling the boats on the shore. "But you
cannot get at them when you get out there"
said Mr.. RYAN. "Givc me boat and some
men put me on board, and will get them"
A boat was manned, but when they reared
the ship the men would not put him on
board. They loved their pastor, and
thought it certain death to put him on the
vessel. DIR. Ancient entrea!ed them.
John" he said to the most soIicitious Of
the crew, off | am doomed I won't hold
you responsible. Put me OH board" While
they were backing and filling the boy fell
off. They picked him up, wrapped coat
around him, and landed him.
Finally, the men agreed to put Mr.. An
Gent on board. The ships side was then at
an angle of 90 degrees, aud the fishermen
have not yet got over their admiration for
their pastors skill in climbing it: and in
Es s prase tAs rail he Hnd RSse IF GP ehs
him. When he reachedthe outer dayit he
shouted to the man In the rigging, "You
are an officer, are you not?" Yes" was
the reply. "Then you know how TO make
bowIinc?" " Yes, sir" Mr.. Ancient then
threw him an end of the rope, first taking
turn round the dayit. "Now put conf
dence in me, and move when I tell you"
Dir. Firth followed his directions, and the
minister led him along by the rope, taking in
the slack as he went. Whenever he slipped the
turn around the davit and the strong arm of
his reScuer held him. 4 great sea swept
over and washed the officer off. go, Lord"
lie cried out, "I have broken my shins, l
have broken my shins." "Never mind your
shins, man it is your life we are after"
Finally, he got him to the main rigging and
to the vessels side, and let him into the boat
by rope, and the man was saved.
Mr.. Ancient was formerly a Scripture.
reader in the British navy, but has been at
Prospect for six years. He passed mis- ex-
animation, and flas taken orders, determined
to become a fisher of men. He is man
thoroughly in earnest, but not so serious
that he could not laugh heartily when he
spoke of Officer Firth's solcitude for his shins.