The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-22
THE SHIPWRECKED CHILD.
CHAPTER I

The SHIf w
CHAPTER
Faster and faster spread the flames, and
now the ship was enveloped in fiery sheet.
Men and women rushed madly over the side
to meet quicker but less painful death. The
boats, with only one exception, had been
overwhelmed and capsized. There were hasty
prayers and heartrendring cries of misery
and distress. Death lowered over his victims;
some chung to the vessels sides, some sup
ported themselves in the water by articles
snatched hastily from the burning ship, with
which they leaped wildly into the sea. The
captain sang through his trumpet: Take
heart and sustain yourselves as long as pos
sible ship is coming to our rescue"
James Durant stood upon the almost deserted
deck with his only child, but four years of
age, folded closely in his arms. His eyes
swept the horizon in search of the ship to
which the captain had alluded. He discovered
it at last, but it was at least four miles off.
Before the ship could arrive, they would be
burned to death; or, if he sprang overheard,
he was no swimmer. The little arms were
twined about his neck, the pale cheek resting
confidingly against his own, but the brave
child did not tremble
90, my God, is there no help?" cried the
despairing 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 1 will save her." Turning
quickly, Mr.. Durant stood face to face with
stranger with life-preserver in his hand.
''Quick, the child can have my life-preser-
yer, and it will float her easily. Yonder
is another ship, I have been watching it for
the last five minutes. 1t will reach us i'll
half an hour at most. There, that is fastened
throw you into the water. You are not
afraid 2"
No, no, papa"
The father caught her in his arms, My
darling Eva, you may never see your father
again, but do not fear, God will guard you,
and somebody will find and take care of you.
If you never see papa again, remember he is
in heaven with mamma"
- Has she no relatives ?" asked the stranger.
None in this country; I am from Eng
land and travelling for her health"
Take that pin from your bosom and fas-
ten it to her clothing"
g Heaven help you for that thought" said
the father, and in moment the square and
oo,o,1occ ,rara ,,lictanipo on tha hOcOnn of the
child. and the stranger took her from her
fathers arms, saying, 81 am stronger than
you, she must be cast beyond the reach of the
poor drowning mortals, or they will rob her
of her lfe-preseryer."
The white drapery fiuttered through the
air and sank below the waves, then rising she
foated lightly on the water and the father
turned, with tears in his eyes, to the stranger,
saying
MAY God bless you and preserve you,
but you and must be lost"
"No; I am good swimmer, and here is
piece of board with which you can sustain
yourself until relief arrives" The father, af-
ter casting another glance at the speck float
serve her, :" sank into the sea, followed by the
stranger; but the two foated in different di-
rections and they saw each other no more.
Two hours afterwdrd James Durant awoke
as from the sleep of death and found himself
in the cabin of strange ship with kind and
sympathizing faces all round him. In an
other moment he, realized all that had passed
and sighed 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, 81 some of the passengers were saved by
another ship"
"God grant she may be safe"
Mr. Durant recovered his usual strength in
a few hours and sought among the saved for
the stranger who proved SO true masonic
brother, but he was not to be found