The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04


that speaks of danger and shipwreck.
Milly watched them lower the boat and
man it, the officer descending last of all
and giving orders which caused each up
raised oar to drop as it run by machinery,
sending the little craft cutting swiftly
through the waves, then throwing her
glance beyond it for the first time, she
saw a speck against the SKYE black
speck with a fiery tip, apparently-could
that be the lost boat? Supported on the
taffrail by her fathers arm, she could now
see the fiery tip was really a flag or pennon
floating upon the masthead, and at last
could make out the shape of the boat and
even the few figures within it. Then the
ships boat reached it, figures bobbed
about, mixing themselves indistinguish-
ably, after which the life saving craft put
about and came rapidly shipward towing
the others in it's wake. A nearer view
showed Milly five rescued men and one
boy lying at full length, apparently dead;
a still nearer view could it be possible?)
discovered that gay pennon to he her own
red comforter, tassels and all, streaming
in the breezel
SPECIFICS she turned to her father,
but Notwithstanding he excitedly lifted
her down, and ran with the crowd to see
the rescued men helped aboard.
Meanwhile down the cabin gangway
fled Milly, and burst in upon the aston
ished ladies there with cry:
Mammal mamma, what doyo think?
They've saved them, and my comforter
was the flag"
"Milly, my childT cried the mother,
springing to her feet. "Good heavens! has
this excitement driven her mad?"
But, psrsisting that she was still sane,
Milly dragged her mother backward to
see for herself. Yes, there was no mistak-
ing it-there in it's vivid warmth of color
huttered the comforter, little sea-stain-
ed to be sure, but Enthusiastically the same.
COB, mamma, see 1t alp cried Milly,
suddenly, 81 see it all! l see it all! The
boy said his brother was a sailor-that
boy in the boat must have been he = do
do go and ask the captain if he is alive,
and if we may see him."
"Yee, yes, dear, when papa comes. Now
you must sit down for you are trembling
all over"
IN less than an hour word was brought
by the steward that all the rescued men
were conscious, and the ladies might talk
with them if they chose, SO accompanied
by Mr. Wentworth they went below.
"They've had dreadful time, poor fell
lows" exclaimed the steward as he guided
them into the hitherto unknown depths;
out four days in that leaky boat. Their
vessel foundered Monday night, they
took to the boats with what little provis-
ions they could snatch, but the wind and
sea drove them apart, and when daylight
came the fog was so heavy they couldn't
take their bearings. Their provisions
what weren't spoiled by salt water, gave
out Wednesday morning, and they've
lived on faith ever since. 1t nearly fin
ished that poor boy, he isn't very strong,
L guess, and pretty young for such SER
vice-not over twenty, I'll wager. This
way, ladies'" and he stood beside bunk
where lay a CHASTITY young fellow, with
great blue eyes, SO like Jimmy's that
Milly could no longer doubt the relation
ship. had she not already been convinced.
He is the ore, papa-he's TomF' she
whispered exeitedly. Speak to him."
He answered their questions in weak,
languid tone, but when it became clear
that Milly was the young girl who had
given his little brother the scarf, he had
risen eagerly upon his elbow while big
tear rolled down bis face.
"Oh, miss, it brought blessing-that
comforter" he said, eagerly. "The dear
lad slipped it unbeknownst to NE in my
chest, and 1 was a-wearin' it the night
we foundered, and when we was lookin'
about for a signal to hoist, rugged that
up and, bless God, it's brought us safe
| here"