The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-10-17
WHAT BELLE DID.
Saved by the Pluck Of the Cap
tains Wife.
The Masters Story OF q Foundered schoon-
er-How s-ship's Crew Was Rescued
Through the Efforts of Brave
Little Woman.

The Masters Story OF q Foundered schOon-
er-How s-shIp's Crow Was Rescued
Through the Efforts of a Brave
Little Woman.
''She was the bravest woman I ever
saw, and little bit of body, too, but
If it hadn't ha' been for her pluck and
courage God knows what would have
become of us.
The speaker, one Of the crew Of the
Inflated schooner John T. Ferris, was
seated on the deck of the steamship
City Of Durham, which was blowing her
way through heavy sea towards
Boston Light the morning of Thursday
last. The little knot of seamen who
gathered about the wrecked mariner
asked eagerly for the story, and at their
request the following account was
given. It is here related for publica-
ton by an officer of the Durham. who
was present at the yescue. He said;
'After Captain Lund observed the
signals of distress that were displayed
Thursday morning by schooner which
afterwards turned out to be the Ferris,
we were very much perplexed, because
some hours before two vessels, which |
think were American craft. passed us
sailing in the exact direction of the dis
tressed vessel. We were eight miles
away at the time when the schooner
was discovered. The moment the Cap
tain saw the flag he gave orders to turn
the steamer in the direction of the sink
ing ship and to fire up.
''Tbis was about nine o'clock in the
morning, and the storm was but slowly
going down. 1t was blowing a gale
and the sea was very rough. AS we
continued on our course all eyes on
board the Durham were intently fixed
on the schooner, which, as we came
nearer, could be seen to roll heavily in
the sea. 1t could be readily seen that
she was full of water, and the only
question was, How long can she be kept
ahoatp The Captain, with characters
tic promptness, had ordered the boats
to be made ready for lowering and he
only waited for favorable opportunity
to give the word
"The Durham presently came within
speaking distance, and then the Captain
shouted, Shall send you boatsp'
mo- was the answer sent over the
water in a clear, feminine voice; we
have boat. and will come to YOU
EAT this point came on deck, and
the sight which met my eyes l shall al
ways remember. The low, dark hull
of the Ferris was almost under water
The waves were breaking forcibly over
her bows, and what remained of once
full deck cargo was being gradually
forced overheard. In the stern, with
his hands upon his head, as if to steady
his wasted and weary brain, stood the
Captain, knee-deep in water, while of
to leeward of the sinking craft was
floating the ships boat, in which we saw
the form of man and woman, while in
the bottom was lying the figure of a
boy.
ut was some minutes before the man
on board made up his mind to leave
the deck. Finally, however, a call from
the boat brought him to his senses, and
casting around a sorrowful glance. he
went over the side and made for the
frail shell that was floating with great
buoyancy on the tops of the waves. The
Oiu Dui h6ihs bluC W uCt nClIl, CdiuO up
into the wind, and as we passed by a
rope was thrown. Ten minutes later
the last of the party was on board, the
steamers head was turned. and as we
glanced over the stern of the boat we
saw the Ferris her sails tapping wildly
in the wind, give long roll. and then
go down like lead into the deep waters.
LAS the party came over the side the
master grasped the hand of Captain
Lund and exclaimed, with tears in his
eyes: God bless you, Captain, you have
saved my wife. A slight figure, clad
in dark, wet garments, next came to
our sight. l was never, to tell the truth,
more surprised in my life The figure
was that of girl scarcely eighteen
years of age. Her light, thick hair was
gracefully blowing about her face,
which. though soiled and careworn
gave evidence of much beauty. She wa.
under middle height and quite small
As she stepped upon the deck she gave
us look l shall never forget. So veal
was she that'she could scarcely stand
She attempted to walk but could not
and would have fallen if the SECOND
mate had not caught her in his arms
and carried her in a partly unconsciou.
condition to the cabin below. The boy
and seaman were then pulled up. ano
while the officers were providing for tn,
comforts of the castaways the story o
their misfortunes was graphically told
''The master, Captain Belts, said /
it had not been for Belle, God know
what would have become Of us. She i
the best wife man ever had, ant
though have now lost everything
have in the world save her /, ought t,
rejoice that we have ed'together
We left Calais Sunday morning. AM
had good run until the storm strucl
u.s. Wednesday night the gale wa
on board beside my wife; one of thes
was boy, and could not be counted o.
to do mems work. The storm ha'
caused us to be up much, and we wer
well nigh exhausted when the repor
came up from below that we had sprun,
aleak The night was dark and dreary
and the waves were high. No vesse
was within hail from which we coul
get assistance. All that remained 70
us to do was to man the pumps an
battle as long as we could against tn
water in the hold, which was sl0wl
but surely gaining on us. At this tim
all hope seemed out of place; befor
morning the Ferris would be cable
under the waves, and all that would b
left to tell the tale of our life and deaf
would perhaps be found floating on tn
water by passing ship days after tn
storm was over. Only one who ha
been in similar circumstances ca
realize how little life seems worth.
'.But at that hour, when it seeme
impossible to make a successful effort
Belle came from the cabin, her fac
white, but determined, and said; Don