The Penn's Grove record., 1884-03-22

anu leIl d dark mass amid the WnlJe
foam for an instant, and then seemed
to plunge into a bank of foggy black
ness, for night had fallen.
l could not drag myself away from
the stirring scene around me, for /
seemed held to the spot by a strange
fascination. All at once a lurid light
shot up, for a quantity of straw had
been set on fire, and the flames roared
and cracked as dry sea, weed and pieces
of wood were heaped up to increase
the glare, which appeared to gid the
crests of the waves, and threw into
bold relief the figures on the sands
some gazing out to sea; some watching
eagerly the fringe of breakers, ready to
rush down and secure anything that
might Be washed ashore from the
wreck.
More straw was heaped upon the fire,
and the flames and sparks rushed inland
as they rose with the mighty current of
air, and darted across the sand bank.
Out seward all seemed black darkness,
and ths eyes strained after the ufe-boat
were for a while. strained in vain.
All at Once there was a cry of Here
she comes;" but it was prolonged into
a wild wall of despair, for by the light
from the fire the boat could be seen
broadside en-, and close inshore, and
then, after tossing about for a moment,
she was dashed, bottom upward, upon
the sands.
There wa a rush to and the men
struggling in the surf. Seine were
dragged ashore; some scrambled unaid-
ed from the water; while more than
one was sucked back by the undertow;
but the life-belts they wore kept them
aloat; and at last, more or less hurt,
the whole crew was ashore-three being
carried uD to the village insensible.
l learned that the only one seriously
injured was old Marks, who had so
CALAMITY set the example that evening
an example which had resulted in the
saving of irteen poor creatures from a
watery grave.
On entering the village l soon found
where the old man had been conveyed
and a few minutes after l vas at the
bedside OF the sufferer. / found him
sensible; but with a change IN his
countenance that no amount Of pain or
suffering alone would have placed
there. He was quite calm, and smiled
as l entered.
Has she gone to pieces?" he
whispered, stopping to wipe the blood
away that oOzed from his lips.
81 fear So" he replied; "the shore is
strewed with wreck"
81 knowed she would" he gasped.
"Poor things, poor thingsI How many
did We bring ashore?"
l told him fifteen.
"Ahl" he groaned, mot enough, no
enough"
"But it was a most gallant act" I
said; land more would have been saved
but for the accident. Where are you
hurtr 1t is not serious, L hope?"
"~Serious?" he whispered: and then,
with a sad smile, mo; it amt serious.
I'm the only one hurt; and my times
up long ago-tcur year and more. So
it amt serious"
"Where are you hurt?"
cribs all crushed" he whispered.
81 was under the gunwale of the boat;
and it's all over. 1 could see it In the
doctors looks"
A gush Of blood stopped his utter
ance, and | dared not whisper the
comfort | could not feel.
Its all right, sir" he whispered,
after lying with his eyes closed for
about half an hour-''It's all right, and
an old tar couldn't die better than
dom his duty. 1 never thought to;
but l always felt as | should like to die
IN harness, as they say, and so l shall;
but l wish there had been more"
more what?" said.
"More saved" he whispered. Eyer
see I've been afore now in action; and
the Almighty only knows how many
souls I've cut off; and | should like to
feel sure as I'd saved more than l did
for-that's all. Perhaps they might go
in the scale, to help balance the bad"
"But you did all as a part of your
duty"
''Ahl" he whispered, duty! Yes,
sailors should do their duty; and felt
it was mine tonight to go. We old
memo wars menWeret trained to answer
to a call in calm or storm; and when
lives were at stake tonight | felt that
l was called, and | hope did my duty.
Will you ask them fifteen to just say a
VOID or two for the old man in their
prayers, sir; can when I'm gone? |
think | should like them to, for I'm an
old sailor, and can't boast of my past
life"
"Haye you no r~elativeS?" l whisper
ed; mo friends that you would like to
seeY"
s'Far away-far away" he said, with
a mournful shake of the head; "and
some are a-waitin' for mt to join their
watch. Don't leave me, sir" he said
p~iteously.
| promised | would not; and sat
watching hour after hour listening to
the hard breathing of the sufferer, who
seemed to sink into a state of stupor,
only moaning at intervals as he tossed
his head from side to side of the pillow,
and muttered a few words broken and
half-spoKen. The storm gradually
sunk, TIL the wind quite lulled; and
about 3 O'Clock | half drew the curtain
and looked out upon the sea. which
still tossed fearfully; though all above
was calm and p~esceful-a light cloud
Just drifting slowly past the pale bright
moon.
l stood gazing at the soft blue sky,