The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-06-15

an estaDIlsneu rulo III noi
case. In this manner had the youthful
the pain of separation, and In return IOr
that kind intercessiOn he is now proving
his gratitude.
At length we reached the burning
wreck, when a new difficulty presented
itself. How were we to board ltt 10
attempt such a feat to leeward was
worse than folly, for the wreck, Telleveu
of its top hamper, rode partly 10 tne eDo'
which was now setting down stroug,
trough of the sea, which made frequent
breaches over her, retarding the pro-
press of the flames, and preserving al
most entire her starbOard side.
An attempt to board to windward
VOuld have been equal madness, and we
were debating upon the feaslDllliy oI
an attempt to board by the wreck OF the
mizzen tOpmast, which hung drOOPtng
to the surface from the sterh' "heh
"How near can you go with safety,
"Within two boats length" replied.
"Then sheer in" said he, "and Will
swim the rest"
Nonsense! You couldn't" responded
1, startled by the proposition.
81 have accomplished feats as danger
he, 'Pn try it. l can but fail"
"Give way gently, menp' said l, avoid
ing reply for moment, in order TO
consider the proposal in all its bearings,
when the boat, losing headway and be-
ing to windward, began to close with
the wreck.
We were three boats lengths when he
dropped his oars and was about TO spring,
but | restrained him, saying: Hold on /!
VnY, baVa bpttpT chance DV that
spar over the stern, but how can you
reach the boat if you are fortunate
enough to find the child?"
'I,et me but find it," he exclaimed
"and | can afford to trust to safety in
Him who rules the wind and waves"
We were stern to, and within boats
| length of the wreck at the moment,
when signing to the crew TO give way
| exclaimed:
go then, in His name, and here's to
| go with you"
And the next instant we were both
struggling in the Kissing brine.
A minute later we were clamber1ng
up the tOp-maSt, from which we passed
on deck, where we were obliged to pause,
our passage being cut off by the destruc.
tiOn of the main hatch aft, portion or
the weather-side forward remaining un-
scathed.
"If the child lives, unrescued, II Is
there, sir" said Hunter, indicating a
portion of the foremost, with heap OF
smoking canvas which lay along the
weather-side, just forward the chesstree..
.'FollOw me, them" said briefly; and
clambering over the quarter-rall, L
crawled along outside, the dS' 0udWarki ARK
clinging to the chained hammock rall
until | reached the forward channel,
when bounded inbOaTd, followed by my
gallant companion.
at was here l found my wife; and,
| thank heaven, the child Is here allVeF
he exclaimed, as the faint wall OF an In
| fant saluted our ears.
ItWas but the work of minute TO clear
| away the mass which concealed the IN
! FAINT, whom we found lying beside the
wreck of the spar, while the charled
weather rigging had fallen in such a
manner as afforded it protection against
! injury from the feet of those who must
| have passed the spot in the hurry and
| excitement of abandonment.
| Hunter clasped the child in his arms,
| and spuTning all my prOtters OF ald,
| preceded me to the tatfTall by the same
| dangerous path we had previously trod-
| den, when the boat being near at hand, he
| feaTlessly committed himself and charge
to the mercy of the waves. My gallant
| crew being prepared for the event, were
ready, and fortunately able to render
prompt and efficient aid, scarce min
| Tte eiapsing ere they had him safe OH
| hoard. NV rescue followed, of course,
! and was effected with greater difficulty,
| a mountain billOw breaking while | was
| immersed, and heaving the boat and me
asunder, when nearly two minutes
| Dassed ere she came within my reach.
| At length was in her stern sheets again,
and a few minutes later we dropped
alongside of the Delmar, where our sue
cess was already known, and where our
presence was hailed with a general
manifestation of joy.
Need l tell you how the sight of that
reunion of parents and child rewarded
me tenfold for my sharein the rescue OF
the latter? But l must add that was
delighted when Colonel Ross approached
the Young soldier as he stood supporting
his now conscious wife and receiving
the congratulations of his friends, and,
extending his hand, which the young
man humblY clasped, said:
"Hunter, brave men carry their own
reward with them; but, both as your
commanding officer and your friend,
vour action of this night claims at my
hands a grateful and public acknowl-
edoement. 1 will see to your future and
to that of your wife,"
Although l didn't sleep sOundly for
the remainder of that night in the ham
mock swung for me in the wardroOm of
| the DeImar, vet never retired to rest so
nerfectly cOntented with myself and all
mankind as on that night, rendered
memorable by the burning of the Welles-
ley transport.
|