The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-05
THE sHIPWRECKED CHILD.
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER l.
Faster and faster spread the flames, and
row the ship was enveloped in fiery sheet.
Men and women rushed madly over the side
to meet a quicker but less painful death.
The boats with only ore exception, had
been overladen and capsized. There were
hasty prayers and heartrending cries of
misery and distress Death lowered, vulture-
like over his victims; some clung desperate
ly TO the vessels side; some supported them
selves in the water by articles snatched
hastily from the burning ship, with which
they had leaped wildly In the sea. The cap
tain sang through his trumpet:
Take heart and sustain yourself as long
as possible. A ship is coming to our res
cue"
James Durant stood upon the almost de-
serted deck with his only child, but four
wears of age, folded closely in his arms. His
eyes swept The horizon in search of the ship
to which the captain had alluded. He dis
covered it at last but ii was at least four
miles off Before the ship could arrive they
must be burned to death, or if he sprang,
he and the child would be drowned, for he
was no swimmer.
The little arms were twined about his
neck, the pale cheek rested con6dingly
against his own, but the brave chilG did not
tremble.
80 my God. is there no help?" cried the
despairiug father, as the flames swept nearer,
and he felt that his present position could be
held but little longer.
Here, give the child TO me and will
save herr and turning quickly, Mr.. Durant
stood face to face with a stranger who had
life preserver in his hand "Quickl there is
no time to be lost! The chIld can have my
life preserver, aud 1t will float her easily.
Yonder is another ship; have been watch
ing it for the last five minutes 1t will reach
US in half an hour at the most There, that
is fastened securely. Now, little girl, am
going to throw you into the water You are
lot afraidg'
mo, no; but papa?"
The father caught her frantically in his
arms.
MY darling Eva, you may never see your
father again; butdo not fear-God will guard
you, and somebody will find and take care
OF you. If you never see papa again, re-
member he is in heaven with mamma"
HAS she no relatives?' asked the stran-
ger
None in this country; L am from Eng
land, and am travelling TOR her health"
Take that pin from your bosom and fas-
ten il into her clothing"
Heaven help you TOR the thought" said
the father; and in moment the square and
compass we're glistening on the bosom of the
child, and the stranger. took her father :
arms, saying:
''I am stronger than you; she must be cast
wretches, or they will rob her of her life pre-
server"
The white drapery futtered through the
air and sank below the waves; then rising it
hoated lightly on the water.
James turned to the stranger with fearful
eyes. saying;
May God bless you and preserve you,
noblest of men. But you, as well as myself,
must be LOST
''No; am good swimmer, and here Is a
piece of board with which you can sustain
yourself until relief arrives"
The father cast another glance at the white
speck floating rapidly away, and with an in
ward God preserve herl" sprang into the
sea, followed by the stranger; but the two
foated in different directions, and they saw
each other no more.
Two hours later, James Durant awoke, as
from the sleep of death, and found himself
in a cabin of a strange ship, with kind and
sympathizing faces all around him. In a
moment be realized all that bad passed, and
said, eagerly, though feebly:
my child-little Eva; is she safe?"
There was no response, and low moan
escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, SIR said lady with fearful
eyes; "some OF the passengers We're saved by
another ship"
''God grant that she may be safe
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual strength
in few hours, and sought among the saved
for the STRANGER who had proved himself so
true masonic brother, but who was not to
be found.
He must be on the other ship" said Mr..
Durant land be will care tor Eva"
Both ships were at port the following day,
but although Mr.. Durant found the stranger
who had befriended him, and had proved to
be Mr. Wadsworth from a southern city,
Eva was seen by no one, and given up as
lost.
CHAPTER III.
Here wife, is a child that has Just been
washed upon the beach. She is not dead.
Let us have some warm hannels immedi-
ately, and tell Thomas to run for DIR.
Hunt"
IL was not long before the quiyenng
lashes and feeble fluttering of the heart gave
token that success would crown the efforts
of Eva's rescuers; but, by and by, the lids
parted and revealed the two large, liquid,
sky-blue eyes, that wandered from face to
face in bewildered way, and then closed
wearily.
II fear she will not recover very rapidly"
said the doctor; perhaps you may find some
clew to her relations"
Mrs. Turner lifted the gossamer white
dress and turned Ii over and over. The
square and compass placed there by Mr..
Durant flashed upon the eyes OF all at once.