The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-02-05

the strength Of the strong men was
gone. One of the poor fellows washed
us twice in recovering his oar, and
then gave out; the other was nearly
as far gone. Mr.. Larkin sprang for
ward and seized the oar.
Lie down in the bottom OF the
boat" said he to the man. land, can
tain, take the other oar; we must row
for ourselves"
l took the second mans place; Lar
kin had stripped to his Guernsey shirt.
and as he pulled the bow, waited for
the signal stroke. 1t came gently, but
firm; and the next moment we were
pulling long, steady stroke, gradually
increasing in rapidity until the wood
seemed to smoke in the oar-locks. We
kept time, each by the long, deem
breathing of the other. Such a pull
We bent forward until our faces all
most touched our knees, and then.
throwing all our strength into the
backward movement, drew on the oar
until every inch of the space covered
by the sweep had been gained. AT ev-
cry stroke the boat shot ahead like an
arrow discharged from bow. Thus
we worked at the oars for fifteen min
utes; it seemed to me as many hours.
Are we almost up to it, Mr.. Lar
kim" l gasped out.
Almost, captain-don't give up; for
the love of our dear little ones at
home, don't give up, captain!"
The oars flashed as the blades turn
ed up to the moonlight. The men who.
piled them were fathers, and had faith
ers' hearts; the strength which nerved
them at that moment was more than
human.
Suddenly Mr. Larkin stopped pulling,
and my heart for a moment ceased it's
beating; for the terrible thought that
he had given out crossed my mind.
But was quickly treasured by his
voice, Gently, captain, gently-a
stroke or two more-there, that will
do!'-and the next moment the boats
side came in contact with something,
and Larkin sprang from the boat with
his heavy feet upon the ice. l started
up, and calling upon the men to make
fast the boat to the ice, followed.
We ran to the dark spot in the ceuter
of the mass, and found two little boys,
the head of the smaller resting in the
bosom Of the larger-both were fast
asleep! The lethargy which would
have been fatal but for the timely
rescue, had overcome them. Mr.. Lark
IN grasped one of the lads, cut off lis
shoes, tore off his jacket, and then
looslng his own garments to the skin,
he placed the cold child in contact
with his own warm body, carefully
wrapping over him his great-coat,
which he procured from the boat.
did the same with the other child:
and we then returned to the boat, and
the men, partially recovered, pulled
slowly back.
The children, as we learned when
we subsequently had the delight of re-
storing them to their parents, we're
playing on, the ice, and had ventured
on the cake, which had jammed into
The bend of the river ten miles above
New York. A movement of the tide
set the ice in motion, and the little
.ellows were borne away on that cold
hight, and would inevitably have per-
shed but for Mr.. Larkin's espying
hem as the ice was sweeping out to
Tea.
How do you feel?" said y to the
nate the morning after this adven-
ure.
"A little stiff in the arms, captain
ne noble fellow replied, while the big
ears OF grateful happiness gushed
rom his eyes-"a little stiff in the
rms, captain, but very easy here"
nd he laid his hand on his manly
cart. My quaint, brave down-easter,
lie who lashes the sea into fury, and
9ts loose the tempest, will care for
lee! The storm may rage without,
ut in thy bosom peace and sunshine
bide always.