Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-13
A story of the Tide.

A story Of the Tide.
On the coast Of Normandy, near Gran
vile, the rise and fall of tho tide are very
great, being about forty feet at spring
tides 1t comes in very rapidly, and in
particular places may be seen making mp
in a great wave two or three feet high.
Two English gentlemen had been out on the
sands watching the manner in which sand
cells were caught, when Of a sudden, one OF
them, whose name was Cross, shouted, 81
forgot the tide, aud here it comes"
His companion, whose name was Hope,
turned toward the sea and saw a stream OF
water running at a rapid rate, aud replied,
quickly, II suppose we had better be of. -
of we can" replied Gross "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 toward the
nearest shore but ii was some time before
they reached the highest point. % gain
ing it they looked around, and saw that the
sand was not yet covered, though lines Of
blue water here and there showed how fast
not gone far when they found that the sand
was in narrow strips, with sheets Of water
between but seeing girl before them who
was familiar with the beach, they cried
1--WE shall do yeti" and ran forward
The girl, however instead of going to.
ward the shore, was running to meet them
aud almost out of breath cried; 1.-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 o
breath as they were, they yet increased
their speed as they retraced their steps to
ward the rocks they had just left. The lit
tie girl passed them, and led the way. Tn
two friends strained every nerve to keel
pace with her, for as they neared the rock
the wave still rolled towards them, tn
sand becoming gradually covered. Thei
last few steps were knce-deep in the water
"Quick, quickw said the girl 4" Their
is the passage to cross, and if the secon
wave comes, we shall be too late"
She ran on for hundred yards till sh
came to a crack in the rock six or seye
feet wide along which the water was rush
ing like mill-sluice
1--WE are lost !" said the girl " cannO
cross it will carry me away"
Is it deep2" said Cross.
mot very" said she; but it is to
strong"
Cross lifted the girl in his arms, plunge
into the stream, and though the water wa
up to his waist he was soon across. HI
companion followed, and all three now stoo
on the rock.
Come on, come on cried the girl
ave are nearly there!" and she led tn
way to the highest point of the rocks, an
on reaching it cried ave are safe nowl
All were thoughtful for a moment, 0
they saw the danger which God had dei'
cred them from looking around, the san
was one sheet Of water.
ave are quite safe here" said the girl
but we shall have to stay three or fou
hours before we can 60 to the shore"
"What made you forget the tide ? sal
Gross "you must know the tide we'll"
81 did not forget it," she replied 4" b.
feared, as you were strangers, you wou
be drowned, aud ran back to tell you VIII
to do"
And did you risk your life to say
ours ?" said Hope the tears starting to b
eyes.
A" | thought, at any rate, | should &
here" she replied " but was very near
too late"
Hope took the little girl in his arms al
kissed her, and said: {" We owe you o
lives, you brave little maid"
Meanwhile, the water was rising rapid
till it almost touched their feet.
There is no fear" said the girl "
points Of the rocks are always dry
"Cold comfort" said Hope, looking
them a" but what shall we do for our you
friend 2" he said to Mr. Gross.
If we put all the money in our peck
into handkerchief, and tie il around
neck, it will warm her, warrant, for |
looks cold enough"
One Of them had twenty, and the oil
seventeen francs, and binding these in a KIN
Mr.. Hope passed it around her neck.
receiving it, she blushed with delig
kissed both their hands, and cried: "H
jealous my sister Angela will be, and h
hhppy my Inother
Just then wave rolled past, and
water began to run along the little pl
form they were sitting upon; they r
and mounted on the rocky points, and
scarcely reached them when the water '
foot deep where they had just been seat
Another wave came-the water was wit
six inches of their feet
1t is terrible high tide, A." said the g
"but if we hold together we shall not
washed away
On looking to the shore they sawa gr
many people clustering together on
nearest points faint sound of cheers '
heard, and they could sec hats and ha
kerchiefs waved to them.
"The tide has turned" said the g
sand they are shouting TO cheer u.s."
She was right; in FIVE minutes the pl
was dry.
They had some hours to wait before Il
could venture on the sand it was ql
dark before they reached the beach bu
length, guided by the lights on shore, I
gained their own home in safely, not
mindful OF Him who says to the pr
waves, " Hitherto shalt thou come, and
further, and here shall thy proud waves
stayed" The friends handsomely rewar
the little 6sher-girl for her bravery.