Year: 1860

ccnJ tears upon ilcf CHECK.


Two days later, and / was in Oswego
Our vessel was ready, the cargo all aboard
and nothing remained but Tor some one
to present himself whom we might en-
gage in the capacity of cabin boy.


At this juncture, there appeared on
board youth who gave his name as Her
bert Monteith, and modestly inquired for
Captain Gibbs, the commander, saying
he had understood that boy was wa nted
and he would be very glad to fill the va
cancy. The captain seemed much pleas
ed with the frank and straightforward
manner of the lad, and Immediately en-
gagged him for the trip.


For some inexplicable reason Herbert
seemed to avoid me; never saw him for
more than minute at a time, and al
though l often spoke to him, could new
er engage him in conversation. | was
somewhat puzzled, for had from the
first taken singular liking to the lad,
yet as | saw his unwillingness to any
thing like familiarity, L ceased to trou-
Bile him with questions or remarks.


He was singularly handsome, with
soft, curling auburn hair, and olive COM
plexion, his eyes shaded by black, silken
lashes, | could never determine whether
they were black or blue, though, in fact,
| seldom had an opportunity to decide,
for he never looked me in the face, though
with the others, and especially with the
captain, he was on excellent terms; and
often heard them speaking Of his unusual
intelligence, tho sprightliness and anna
bility of his disposition, and the activity
and good nature with which he performed
all his duties,


For several days our voyage was pleas
ant, but after passing the Straits Of Mac
kinaw, as we were carefully threading our
way among the islands that form the
group of Maniton, there arose n terrific
storm. We were some distance from
port, and the shores high, rocky and bar
ren, yet nothing daunted, we pursued our
course. Night came on, and the wind,
instead of diminishing as we had hoped,
rose higher, while the sleet and rain nearly
blinded us. All night we worked fearful
lest at every bound we should be dashed
upon the rocks, or be swept over into the
seething abyss of waters.


For two days and nights we labored,
while the storm ragged on with unabated
fury; but on the morning of the tkyd day
there was partial lull, yet it found us i'll
a piuiable situation. Our vessel fast up
on huge rock, perfect wreck, some
quarter of a mile from land, and ourselves
nearly dead from fatigue and cold, our
fingers and feet frozen, and no visible
means of bettering our condition. Out
of the crew but five of US remained-some
had become frozen and helpless, and were
washed overboard-while others in at
tempting to swim ashore, had met with a
watery grave.


During the whole of the storm, Her
bert had kept near me, seeming to watch
my every movement, yet | failed to dis
cover any signs of fear, and even now, as
we clung half frozen to the rigging, he
was as calm and collected as il no danger
had threatened.


"If we could only get a line ashore we
should be saved; | wonder if there is any
one of us who has now sufficient strength
to battle with these breakers, and reach
the nearest point of land" said the cap
tain, his countenance lighting up as a
faint hope dawned. "What say you,
Will; you are an expert swimmer; could
you reach the shore, dye think?"


at would be springing into the icy
arms of death for any OF us in our pres
ent condition to make the attempt" an
swered, looking gloomily around upon
my perShing companions.


81 think could. sir, if you will permit
me to make the trial." said Herbert. Il
feel confident that l can swim that dis
tance."


"You are noble boy, Herbert" said
the captain, and may God preserve you;
there are few enough such Oh earth; but
you are young and weakened from suffer
ing and exposure. Twill go myself, and
God grant | may succeed"


Thus saying, Captain Gibbs, attaching
a large rope to his body, and shaking
hands with us all, sprang into the rushing
waves. For few moments he battled
manfully, striking out boldly for the
shore yet it was soon evident to us all,
that bis strength was failing "A moment
of breathless anxiety, and we sow him
disappear beneath the surface. and then
for time every ray of hope died out in
our hearts, and sadly we contemplated
our certain fate.


Herbert was the first to break silence;
turning to me he said, calmly: 81 shall
now either share the fate of our noble
captain, or fasten line to that large rock
you see jutting out from yonder shore
had gone first, as l desired, the captain
might have been saved; know that l am
equal to this emergency"


at will be all the same three hours
from now; it matters but little which
goes first" | said, sadly gazing upon the
flushed cheek and sparkling eye of the
brave boy, and then, for the first time,
Minnie's fears and pleadings flashed
across my mind, and Instantly prayed
God to shield her from harm, and give
her strength to bear the dreadful tidings
which felt she must SO soon receive.


A moment later, and Herbert stepped
cautiously over the icy deck to my side
and handing me letter closeI y sealed
said; Take it Mr.. Graham, and if reacl
yonder shore in safety, return it to mt
unopened; if perish, read il; you may
find something of interest therein"


Thus saying, he fastened strong core
about his waist, the other end of which
was made fast to larger line of sufficien
ptr prfh aI