The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-06-01
danger came to them how might it

danger came to them how might i
fare with her
These thoughts were flashing
through his mind when the tempest
came in its full fury. The boat was
caught up from its course as a play
thing is taken in the hand of child
ti.en dashed forward. No sound
was heard, no shrek nor cry. moth.
ling but the mad roar of the winds
and the terrible crashing of the
thunder. Like some goaded, mad
dened beast the Hero rocked, plung-
ed and leaped, its timbers crashing
and breaking, the foam rising in
great sheets above and about it.
Then, it seemed hardly moments
time, sshe wind lulled to calm. in
stead of the hurricanes roar was
heard the screaming of children and
the groaning of strong men.
"The steamer is sinking-to the
lifeboats, quickw some one cried in
! a loud voice.
And then shrieks followed, and
half clad women and children cling
ing to their mothers breasts, their
sweet lips frozen with fear, men
helples with terror, rushed out of
the cabins and state rooms to the
sides of the sinking steamer.
A few, nerved with superhuman
energy, put out the boats and helped
the passengers into them. One man
stood. tall and strong above the rest,
very Sampson in strength, and
bravest among the brave. Bruised
and stunned by falling timbers, yet
he had been the first to rally the
men to their duty; and, now he
stood drenched TO the skin, lifting
women and children into the boats.
They were all in at last and he
stood alone. Come" some one
cried, reaching up a hand to him !;
there is no time to lose-there is
room enough here
Are you sure that boat will not
be over burdened.
lie spoke rapidly and in low
tone, but from the boat below some
.one gave out a smothered cry. He
bad no time to say more-a strong
hand pulled him forward and the
next moment he was in the heavily
laden life boat
Let us make for the shore" one
nun said.
"Move easy if you value our lives"
answered another. 'The boat is
filled to sinking"
Beyond this was silence. Now
and then the lightning flashed over
them, showing white faces, shiver-
ias forms and figures crouched and
II. milling with fear. In the end of
the boat, quite near the brave man
who had fought so gallantly to save
them, woman sat, her hands clasp
ing about the arm of a NAH whose
face seemed shrunken and aged with
terror. Whatever there had been Of
beauty in the regular elieminate
features. it was gone now, leaving
only a weak cowardice. The wO-
man was Sarah Vahe, and the poor,
fear faded creature beside her, for
whom she had deserted her hus-
band, was George Way.
I'VE shall sink if we go on this
way. The boat cannot carry this
load" some one said. How many
men can swim ?"
Swim? 1t would be death to try
it, was the answer.
Then we shall all go down to-
gether."
Sarah Vane turned to the man be-
side her.
"You can swim, George" she
in his ear.
Hush. do you think want to
die?n
She shrank away from him, a look
of supreme contempt sweeping over
her face. This was her hero, her
god, then-but the poorest clay in
the time of need. She sprang to
her feet. She a woman would show
him how to die. Before she could
speak her husbands voice sounded,
striking down upon her heart full OF
its old music:
Il will try swimming, gentlemen,
he said.
The wife caught his hand in hers.
Il will go with you, Harry"
He tried to put her away, but she
chung to him with desperation.
Il am not coward, whatever else
am" she whispered. For heav-
ems sake, let me redeem myself"
He wound his arms about her and
held her passionately to his breast.
flash of lightning revealed them
for a second as they stood there
,lasped in each others embrace |
hen without word they went over
he boats side together.
All in the life boat were saved
md they perished.