The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-03-22

declared that some exigency was ap-
preaching.
Low winds seemed from afar gath
ering clouds that soon overspread the
sky, till the hollow, dismal wailiDgs
became long bowls and hoarse shrieks
and the darkness grew into blacklist
night. The storm ragged and broke
over the devoted ship, while it reeled
and staggered amid the rage of con-
tending winds and rolling seas.
The captain and crew did their duty
firmly.
Vain we're all their efforts; the sea
surged above the yards, sweeping
down on the doomed vessel, which
would bravely rise again and again
above the briny deluge. Desperately
she plowed her way, till at midnight
she became a total wreck on one the
small islands in D'Entrecastreaux's
channel.
The morning broke at length, but it
came rather to reveal than to relieve
their distress.
When the vessel struck a shrek, com
pounded Of many wild voices, pierced
the thick darkness; the mRsts went
by the board, a rushing sea swept
over tho deck, carrying many of the
despairing wretches into the engu!firg
waters; but with the gray, droar light
of morning came a lull.
The captain, who still survived, with
some few of the passengers and crew,
felt a deep anxiety for the fate OF
Bridget, and was seeking her, inquir
ing for her, when she crept forth with
the two children in her arms.
the bravsst heart on board, by
heaven" be exclaimed, as he beheld
her.
Hope on" he continued, springing
forward, I'VE r described there are
boats making toward US"
At these words Bridget started to
her feet, just a a tremendous wave
struck the ship, and, sweeping the
deck, carried her and the children
overheard.
Much is said of human selfehness in
the emergencies Of great danger, and
much 10, OF course, exhibited but so
powerful had Bridget's example and
beauty of character impressed her fel
low sufferers that the most vital inter
est was felt in her fate, and at this
catastrophe many cried aloud, Save
her, save herl" while at the moment
hopeless Of saving themselves.
The boats which had put off from
B.une Island redoubled their efforts.
Bridget succeeded in grasping a frag-
ment Of timber, and thus kept herself
afoat; the heavy rain, which had been
for some time falling, increasing, re
fFeshed her, and the sea subsidized, as il
Gained by the tears of heaven. The
cheering voices of the approaching
men kept alive the pulses of her heart,
and at last Bridget and the children
were rescued, the little helpless crea
lures, wonderful to relate, alive.
This, however, she scarcely was her
self; yet amid what was apparently
the paDgs of death, her sense of duty
was still paramount.
Carried on shore, soothing voices
and succ0ring hands were 5000 around
her, but she made a feeble effort to re
tain the children, while she exclaimed,
with what strength remained in her:
Michael Callah -
The name was repeated aloud BY
those who marked her anxiety and
Immediately a young man who had
helped to man the boat that had saved
her pressed eagerly forward.
Here am l." he cried; what would
you with Michael Gallant"
He was directed to the dying wonaD ;
he knelt down beside her.
Bridget opened her eyes, which a
moment before had been closing in the
last exhaustion and ~faintness.
care you hereG" she asked.
81 am Michhel Callan."
Now the Father of Mercy and all
His saints be praised" she family
circulated. Michael CallRn, here is
your child-Dora's childI'
And with these words her long u
tanned energies forsook her, and she
sank insensible into the arms of the
people near her.
The story soon spread through the
colony, and by the time Bridget was
restored to health and strength she
found herself possessed Of a little for
tune.
All who, like herself, had survived
the wreck, bore testimony to her
Christian charity and heroism, and