Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-08-30

our Mariners, is the thought of
every islander. My room in Mar
dier's commands view of both sea
and town. The latter is small
place built upon the strand. The
streets are deserted as the rains de-
scends in torrents.
The storm increases to a hurri-
cane. In the harbor sea-mews fly
hither and thither uttering discordant
cries which are drowned in the roar
of the tempest and the thunder of the
waves.
So pass morning and afternoon.
The hurricane still RACES with una
bated vehemence. The lantern is al
ready alight in the neighboring light
house at Hammerberg. Several fish
ermen are busy in the harbor trying
to make their boats, which are dane
ing about like nut-shells, more secure
from risk of injury.
But bark! A dull, brief report re-
sounds above the turmoil of the wa
ters. This is no thunder of the
waves; it is a cannon shot. We hear
it once more, and then repeated at
shorter intervals. Men congregate
at the harbor's mouth, and a large
telescope is procured. But no ship
is yet visible; the horizon is too Cir
cumscribed. Thus half an hour
passed away. All Alllnge is on the
alert. People unite in groups to dis
cuss the plight of the devoted vessel.
find myself attached to one of
these knots. Now-it may be about
five o'clock-something black became
visible against the background of
Hammerburg. 1t draws nearer and
becomes plainer-we distinguish a
ship.
A sudden flash, quickly followed
by report, gives a renewed intlma-
ton that the vessel is in distress.
But who can render any aid? The
coast is precipitous, and wild, uneven
crags jut out far into the ocean. The
sea is so rough that no boat could
live in it. The danger becomes more
, and more imminent. The craft, a
brig already bereft of it's mainmast,
must strike. 1t is hopelessly lost.
In the excitement of the awful mo-
ment l had been unconscious as to
my immediate surroundings. Sudden
| ly, quite close TO me, heard a cry
full of despair, a soul-stirring wall.
1t was Gudrun, who stood wiring
ing her hands, her fallen tresses a
prey to the blast. ''The Nautilus
Gunnar !" she cried in her anguish.
"Save him-my love -
The doomed ship was none other
| than that which bore her betrothed
homeward. Men ran to and fro with
confused cries, but no one ventured
| to the rescue. sit would only be
tempting Providence" declared a
venerable sailor; and he added, un-
covering his head in all reverence ;
ssThe Lord of heaven and earth de-
liver Them" All the bystanders fol-
lowed his example and united in the
prayer.
Gudrun rushed from group to
group imploring, supplicating,
wringing her hands, but nobody ven-
tured to court certain death.
Suddenly, Captain Torstensen, her
father, appeared upon the scene
wearing "sou' wester" and long sea-
boots.
"Who will come with me?" he
asked in clear, resonant voice. He
met with no response. Some at
tempted to persuade him from his
enterprise, even resorting to force.
The most experienced sailors re-
garged it as madness to attempt to
navigate in such a sea.
"Then I shall try rSalone," he de-
clared, hurrying toward his boat.
Two young men followed HIM, at
first doubtfully; then adjured by
Gudrun, determined to join him in
the desperate venture.
A rush was made for the landing
where the boats were lying. Tors
tensen could scarce stand upright
in his boat, but for all that he cast
off the painter. And now, just as
the men were in the act of pushing
off, Gudrun leaped into the boat. A
cry of terror rose from a hundred
throats. Many women were weep
ing. The boat heeled over and the
oarsmen we're evidently striving to
put back with Gudrun. A receding
wave, however, carried the boat rap
idly out of the harbor.
The crowd stood breathless; not
word was spoken. All eyes were
centered on the boat, which appear
ed on the lofty summit of a wave
only to disappear next moment in
the trough of the sea. Gudrun's fair
locks were floating in the wind like
cloud heck. The minute guns had
long ceased to echo from the brig.
Darkness set in, and they had not
returned. Nothing further was seen
of the ship. Night fell. The storm
ragged on, the waves still battled
fiercely, and out yonder those who
were meeting their doom drew their
last breath unheard.
Unheard? No. There is One who
listens and hears.
The people of Allinge passed a
sleepless night. AS for me, pom