Middletown transcript., 1876-06-24

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could see the keeper trimming Il
lamp. He heard US, and shouted bacl
We were not dozen rods apart.
called out our names and begged hi
to help US. He tried to launch his boa
but the ice was piled in heaps by II
landing, and all his endeavors were i
vain. Then be shouted he would rails
an alarm and send boats; but I kne
that he had four miles to go on foot be
fore that could be done. and by that tim
we might be out Of sight. They coul
never find us in the darkness, and th
waves would wash US off the momen
we got into the open bay. I did nc
dare to give way before the little boys
but felt sure that we should never Sc
home again.
The water began to grow rougher
and it was not long before we had t
cling to the pole to keep on the ice
We could not see each other plainly, j
was so dark, and the water broke owe
US every moment. The sound of tn
fog bell off the Cape grew fainter, ant
at last ceased altogether. Then I knew
we were lost. Your father was brav'
little fellow-braver than I. After b.
had been still long while he begar
saying the Lords prayer aloud. H'
told me afterwards he was not afraii
after that. He knew that God wouli
save US But poor little Benny Wilson
Every sob went to my heart like {
knife. I knew his mother would bt
nigh distracted when she found out thai
be was gone. He sat on his sled with
one hand tight hold of mine, and the
other clinging to the pole. He was
only six years old, and a weakly little
chap at that. I have wondered many
time since then how be lived through
that night.
After awhile it stopped raining, and
liShted up SO that we could see little,
but it was worse than the darkness.
did not dare to look at the water-it
was enough to feel it. So I olung to
little Benny, who had cried himself to
sleep. and shut my eyes. Your father
sat still grasping the pole with both
hands. but never speaking. The
strangest thing was that we were not
washed off. Every wave that came I
felt sure that we were gone; but the
ice seemed to lift up with it, and though
we were constantly drenched, we man
aged to keep our place. It seemed as
if that night would never 60. tried
to make belieYe that I was dreaming,
and that I was home abed in my little
room; and for minute it would seem
true. Then wave would come, or little
Benny would cry out, and the dreadful
reality would come back to me.
Morning came at last, and our cour-
age rose with the sun. I stood up and
took a survey, but there was a thick
fog, and I could see neither land nor
vessel. I knew they would send out
boats from Yarmouth, and I had been
praying that they might find us. Once
[ fancisd heard people calling, and I
shouted and listened until I was COM
oletely exhausted. Then I gave up
md shrunk down again. What with
he cold and fright and hunger, little
Benny had failed into sort Of stupor.
had tied one end of my wooden COM
orter around bis waist, and the other
o the pole, to keep him from rolling
IF, for the water was growing rougher,
md I was afraid I might let 60 of him.
rhe fog thickened very fast, and at
asst we could hardly more than see the
nd of our raft.
All at once your father started up,
nd almost shouted
"There's vessel coming! Hark !"
My heart beat so loud that at first
Guild hear nothing else. Then, a mo-
nent after, the creaking of blocks and
he sound of voices came through the
og, seemingly within few yards. I
ever thought I could shout as loud as
did the next second. An answer
anne back so near that it almost startled
ne. They thought, we found after
7ards, that they were running into
mother vessel.
"We're lost - I cried out. "We
re on cake of ice-three boys!"
"Great heavens !" we heard the cap
ain say. Then came the order, "Down
nth the boats!"
They struck the water in nearly the |
anne minute the order was given, and
hen we heard the stroke of oars.
"Where away came the voice
gain.
"Here," we both shouted.
A minute after we saw the dark side
f the boat, as she broke through the
g, and slid alongside the ice. I shall
ever forget the astonishment of the
len when they got sight of us, nor
1eir exclamations Of wonder and SYM
athy as they lifted us into the boat
nd pushed for the vessel, which was
OF a dozen lengths away. The captain
as rough looking sort of man, and
was little afraid Of him; but when
e heard our story the tears ran down
is cheeks like rain.
"Go down into the cabin and get
to eat, and dry your clothes" !"
e said; and turning to the mate, who
ad gone aft, he cried, "Put her away
n Yarmouth.
The owner was on board, and was
anding by. "That won't do" said
9, "the boys are safe, and you can
md them back from Boston," for it
GEMS the vessels was bound for that
ort.
The Captains eyes flashed as be
ads answer: "You're the owner here,
ut I'm the Captain. This schooner
oes into Yarmouth Harbor tonight if
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