The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-07-14

were tossed all around us, and sto.
ven boat seemed in prospect. The
huge masses kept grating against
our vessel, notwithstanding the exer-
tions of three men, who, with boat
hooks, endeavored to keep them at
bay.
Meanwhile, "Pull, pull ahead?
still was the order. For hours we
continued on, then the sun having
gone down, we settled upon an ice
berg, several hundred feet in diane
ter, and drew our cutter npon it.
Night closed round us-darkness
everywhere. The wind still howled
with fury, and on all sides we heard
the incessant thunder and crash of
the bergs striking against each other.
1t was bitter cold, and, to keep our
selves warm, we were obliged con-
stantly to exercise.
Suddenly one of the men, scouting,
pointed through the gloom, and fol-
lowing the direction of his glance,
we behe,d light, apparently several
miles distant.
awe must get to it," exclaimed
the Captain, "for it probably is
somehow connected with the girl we
saw
His proposal was received with a
cheer. We were glad of the oppor-
tunity for exercise. We got the cut.
ter into the water, and, manning her,
away we went.
The bergs had now separated, so
that, by being very careful, we, con-
triyed to keep from being steven.
On we went for at least two hours,
when the light bore directly ahead,
scarcely quarter of a mile of.
"Light o." shouted the Captain,
"who's there2'
no response. The question was
repeated, with no better result.
"Strange!' said the Captain.
AS he spoke, the light went out.
"Foul playr' be exclaimed. "Pull
ahead, lads!"
A minute after, the boat grated on
rough beach. We saw the outlines
of retreating figures.
"Follow me, men" was the Cap
tain's order.
Soon we were upon the fugitives
fierce looking fellows, evidently
Russian deserters with a girl cap
tive with them.
They dropped their burden and
made of, offering but brief resist
ance as we dashed among them.
The boats lantern was then lighted
The girl proved beautiful, but very
pale, cold and terror. stricken.
In few words she stated that she
was the daughter of the Captain of
the Winchester, wrecked IN the ice.
When the craft was going down, the
boats, two in number, were lowered.
One was swamped and stove in the
ice, the whole crew perishing; the
other boat, in which was the Captain
and his daughter, not being capable
of reaching them in time.
the Captain proceeded ashore
He and his crew were attacked by
the fierce land pirates, robbed and
slain. The girl hid herself in q
rock; came out on this day, nearly
frozen; saw the surveying craft, and
stood watching it, and intended to
signal it when it should come near
enough for its crew to see her.
"Poor chiIdw said the Captain.
"Thanks to the mirage, we saw you
long ago. That was why We lowered
our boat"
"Thank heaven, you came just in
time" exclaimed Mary Williams
this was her name-"for those shore
barbarians, seeing me, pursued and
captured me short time SINCE"
The girl was taken to our ship the
next morning, when the Captains
wife bestowed upon her every kind
attention.
Subsequently she married one OF
the ships Lieutenants, a fine young
fellow of twenty. five, who thanks the
good providence which, by means Of
| n mira0o procnraH hin, n u;fo