Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-19
Willie's Courage.

Willie Carr was one Of those boys who
never like TO be beaten at anything. Only
dare him 10 do a thing, and he would do it,
no matter how absurd or foolish it was lie
had lately come 10 live at a town on the sea
coast, and he and his schooltclows constantly
amused themselves on halfholidays by climb
ing the cliffs, fishing, boating, and many
other seaside pastimes. On one Saturday az
ternonn Willie said to his companions
"rhe tide has just turned; in quarter
Of an hour that rock (pointing to a small
rock covered with sea-weed) will be under
water; dare any one Of you fellows to run
ten times round it,"
Some shook their heads and said they did
not care to run the risk of being drowned.
but few said, awe will 60 If you will
lead us"
So off they started. The water was over
their shoes at the first round
"Salt water will do us no harm" said
Willie.
AT the sixth round Tom Bishop and viii
lie were the ouly ones who kept on running;
the water was already above their knees, for
the tide was coming in fast. At the eighth
round Willie was running alone. and many
of the boys said, Don't 20 any more viii
lie" But Ned Dawson cheerpd him: "Only
twice more, and will say you are the
bravest fellow in Hastings. Busat the tenth
round all said, " Don't 90 any more"
q" DO you dare me to do itY" cried Willie /;
although the water is above my waist, |
will 20, Just 10 show you what | can do"
Many of them tried to hold him, but he
rushed off, painting, for his last round.
When he reached the rock he was very tired,
so he sat down to recover his breath then
he got mp and waved his cap The boys
cheered him and cried, Make haste-cOme
alongw But he stayed longer than was nee.
essary Just 10 show how brave he was, and
waved his cap. At this moment a large
wave dashed over the rock drenching him
to the skin, and obliging him to start off
But before he was half way on his journey
another wave came rolling along, and ht
found himself up to his armpts in water
another came, and then another, and carried
| him off his feet lie was nearly choked will
the salt water that went down his throat
but he recovered himself enough TO get bach
to the rock there he sat, painting and ex
hausted. His boosted courage began to fai
him he could swim but little. aud. encumb
cred with his wet clothes, and all exhausted
as he was, there was not much chance fo
him. Higher and higher the water rose
Ailt lhth was ullhti Nhhl hilh tAANAN il' Nhi
pale and shivering.
Some of his comrades ran off for help, bu
poor Willie doubted if it would come il
time. All his sins aud folies rose befor
him like cloud he thought Of his moth
er's anguish (for he was her only son)
aud how she would feel when she heard h
had been drowned drowned and by hi
own folly. A large wave rolled over him
he frightened his grasp on the sea-weed
another came, and then another; mist ros
before his eyes-he loosened his hold and al
was dark
Some hours later Willie was in hi
own bed at home, and a lady with sweet
pale face was bending over him. "Thanl
Cod she said. Willie heard it, aud opene
his eyes.
"Oh, mother" he said, " | am saved, then
| was so frightened, and when thought o
YOU, death seemed so terrible
Yes" she said "you were saved by
boatman who heard your schoolfellows' erie
of distress let us thank God for His mere
in saving you"
Some time after Willie entered the navy
he had lost none of his courage and daring
but he acted more under sense of duty, an
less to gain mans applause. lie is now a
officer, beloved by his men aud respected b
all who know him, for at the call of duty Ii
is always first, and where danger is, ther
you will always find him. x. A.. B., IN IN
! CbHireu'y Friend