Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-07-19

The moment the first boat reached
the transport the work Of debarkation
commenced, but owing TO the iremen'
dous gale and heavy sea progressed
but slowly, while the rapid advance Of
the fire drove numbers from the deck
to seek safety in the sea, from which
they were rescued AZ promptly as pos.
sible' II was truly a thrilling scene,
The hull Of the transport was evidently
converted into perfect volcano, while
from each Of her matches leaped a
tongue Of flame, which, seizing on her
fresh tarrcd rigging, transferred the
whole mass into a delicate tracery Of
fire, and speedily consuming II left her
taut spars to tumble one after another
over the stern, killing and wounding
numbers IN their descent
This catastrophe, although resulting
in death to many, proved q means Of
safety to many others who might other.
wise have perished, as II established u
direct means Of communication with
many Of the boats which could not gain
q position alongside. Aud thus the
work went on, boat after boat depart
ing with It's load Of scorched, half
naked and shivering troops, with q
light sprinkling Of women and children,
until nearly all were saved, when the
task commenced Of lowering the inscn-
siblc forms of those who had been hurt
by tho falling spars, in the rush which
had taken place on the discovery Of
the fire, or had tainted from excessive
fright.
Our boa, being scarce onc-third full,
We hauled alongside to receive our
quota of the unfortunate creatures,
whom we handled MS carefully as pos
siblc, laying them in tier in the stern
sheets, to the number Of ten, when
having as many as we could accommo-
date, we dropped astcrn, and shipping
our oars we made II futile attempt to
reach the Royal Sovereign. Finding
we could not gain an inch, l seized up.
on the first lull in the gale to put the
tiller hard up, when the launch awning
off, and catching the next sea broad on
her bow, carcened so heavily that she
half filled, when the second caught her
fairly astern, and fortunately righted
her, bearing off some eight or ten faith
oms on its boiling, bubbling crest, and
leaving us in proper position to send
with safety.
The briny bath exercised reani-
mating effect upon several of our insen.
siblc cargo, ono of whom-a female
betrayed the fact of her restoration by
loudly demanding her child.
MY child! my child! Where is my
little Edward?' she called in tones of
thrilling anguish. Tell me, for the
love of heaven, if any of you have seen
my child?'
'Merciful heaven what do l hear?
the voice of my benefactress? ex-
claimed II young man, who sat on the
front part supporting the form of a
young woman, who had evidently re-
ceived fearful injuries prior to her res
cue from the burning wreck. is this
Mrs. Clifford?' he asked, gently relin-
gushing his insensible burden.
1T is, responded the lady, instantly
adding, whoever you are you evident
ly know me, and must know something
of my darling. Oh, have you seen
him? Is he safe? Tell me, | conjure
you.'
Would to Heaven 1 could!' ex-
claimed the man passionately. BILL
Hunter would be only too happy to
prove his gratitude to the benefactress
of his wife,
'Oh, Hunter, my child, my Edward,
and my husband
May, madame, Captain Clifford
must be safe, rejoined the man, hastily.
Il saw him myself actively employed in
the insensible from below,
and he may have saved the child.
May have she repeated; but you
are not certain, Hunter? Oh, you are
not certain and this suspense is worse
than death = And the poor bereaved
mother groaned in her anguish, and
clasping her hands over her eyes sat
rocking her body to and fro, uttering
that deep, convulsive sob, which be-
trays so fully breaking heart.
And she interceded so eloquently in
our behalf that my Susan might accom-
pany mel murmured the soldier, in an
audible tone, as he resumed his seat
and his former burden, on the paid
brow of which he pressed fond kiss,