Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-19
IrPRIsONED nv THE TIDE.
The PcFiIOuS Experience or a Party
of Daring English Boys.

Eleven boys, ranging in aye from eleven
TO fourteen years, had a most extraordinary
adventure on the beach a. Senham IllrbOr
Saturday. Attbe south side OF the town there
j. arock projecting from the mainland known
as Nose Point, on the top Of which is built
the Nanc and Scabam bhst-furnacCs. Tn
dcrncath Is n large cavern, locally known as
the "SmuggleTs' Cave" which al high tide
Is filled by the sea. Among the boys re-
ferred to the exploration OF this cave and
the unearthng Of the treasure Of some buc-
cancer Of the past had long been an object to
be accomplished, and determination was no
last come 10 10 carry out the project al the
first lifting opportunity.
Saturday was fixed upon for the day OF
search, and they started oK. headed by a
trusty leader. and provided with candles,
lanterns, torches, q pick, and shovel. Enter
ng the cavern at low water, they COM
menced work and soon were 50 intent upon
the object OF their labOrs that they
never needed the turn Of tue tide,
and 1t was only when they found
escape from the cave by the way
they had entered impossible that they real
lied their position. The water drove them
further and further back into the cave, until
at length they found It impossible TO recedc
further. To avoid the rise Of the water sey-
eral % the boys climbed as high up the walls
Of the cave as possible. Others had no alter
native but to stand pressed up against the
end Of the cavern and allow the water 10
gradually creep IN upon them.
Higher and higher rose the water, and
deeper and deeper the lads became immersed
until some OF them were covered up to the
shoulders They all managed. however, 10
keep erect, notwithstanding their weakened
condition, produced by shouting for help and
numbness from being compelled to stand I'm
the water. Now and then a broken wave
would dash in among them, rendering their
position still more perilous. Moreover, the
cave was nearly dark, all the lads lights
having been put out except one, which had
escaped the wash OF the waves and con-
tinued to give forth is feeble illumination.
One Of the boys at last, from sheer want OF
strength, was washed from his holding, but
soon another lad standing near CROPPED in
the dark, and. with nothing but the cries
OF his comrade TO guide him, succeeded IN
restoring him TO his feet.
In the mean time the lads had been missed
from their homes, and their continued alb
sence caused inquiries to be made. This re-
suited in their whereabouts becoming known.
y rulDOr tuen got aDrOau tnaJ All The boys
had been drowned, and soon fathers, mo-
TIERS brothers, sisters, and large body Of
other men, women, and children rushed OF
in eager haste to the top Of the cliff. There
was no way OF reaching them from the shore,
nor was there any possibility Of going down
the preclpitous face OF the elf with ropes.
Nothing could. therefore, be done by the
hundreds Of people who had collected but
to wait until the fall OF the tide would ad-
NIT Of access 10 the cave fIom the shore.
Meanwhile the imprisoned boys passed a
terrible time; but just when they thought
the,worst had come, the waterstopped rising.
Slowly the water left the cave, and in
a short time they felt themselves in compa-
ratiye safety, although in darkness. IL was,
however, hali.past 10 O'Clock at night be-
fore they were rescued.