Year: 1865

THE SAILOR BOY OF HAyRE


a French brig was returning from
Toulon to Havre with a rich cargo
and numerous passengers. OF the
coast of Rrctagne it was overtaken
10y a sudden and violent storm.-
Capt. P, an experienced sailor,
at once saw the danger which threat
ened the ship on such q rocky coast.
and he gave orders to put out to sea;
but the winds and waves drove the
brig violently towards the shore, and,
notwithstanding all the efforts of the
crew, it continued to get nearer land.


Among the most active on board
in doing all that he could to help
was little Jacques, lad twelve years
old, who was serving as cabin boy
in the vessel At times, when he
disappeared for a moment behind
the folds of the sail, the sailors
thought he had fallen overheard: and
again, when wave threw him down
on the deck, they looked around to
sec if it had not carried away the poor
boy with it; but Jacques was soon
up again unhurt My mother" said
he smiling, to an old sailor, would
be frightened enough if she had seen
me just now"


His mother, who lived at Havre,
was very poor and had large fami-
ly. Jacques loved her tenderly, and
he was enjoying the prospect of car
rying to her his little treasure-two
e-franc pieces, which he had earn
ed as his wages for the voyage.


The brig was beaten about whole
day by the storm. and, in spite of
all the efforts of the crew, they could
not steer clear of the rocks on the
coast. BY the gloom on the cap
tain's brow it might be seen that he
had little hope of saving the ship
Ali at once a violent shock was felt,
accompanied by horrible crash,
the vessel had struck on q rock
At this terrible moment the paSsen-
gers threw themselves on their knees
to pray.


Lower the boats crieG the cap
tain. The sailors obeyed; but no
sooner were the boats in the water
than they were carried away by the
violence of the waves.


1--WE have but one hope of safety"
said the captain. lone of us must
be brave enough to run the risk of
swimming with rope to the shore.
We may fasten one end to the mast
of the vessel, and the other to rock
on the coast. and by this means we
may all get on shore"


but, captain, it is impossible,
said the mate, pointing to the surf
breaking on the sharp rocks
:WEocver should attempt to run
such risk would certainly be dashed
to pieces


Well said the captain, in a low
tone, "we must all die together. =
At this moment there was slight
stir among the sailors. who were 81
lently waiting for orders.


What is the matter there in
quired the captain.


Captain" replied sailor, "this
little monkey of cabin boy is ask
inc to swim to the shore with a
strong string round his body-to draw
the cable after him; he is as Obsti
nate as little mulcr' and he pushed
Jacques into the midst of the circle
The boy stood turning his cap round
in his hands, without daring to say
word.


Nonsense. such n child can't 60.
said the captain roughly.


But jacques was not Of charac-
ter to be so easily discouraged
..Captain.' said he. timidly, "you
don't wish TO expose the lives of good
sailors like these: il does not matter
what becomes OF a little monkey of
n cabin boy.' as the boastswain calls
me. Give me ball of strong string,
which will unroll as ! get on. fasten
one end round my body. and Iprom
ise YOU that within an hour the rope
will be fastened TO the shore, or ]
will perish in the attempt


docs be know how to SWIM"
asked the captain.


"As swiftly and as easily as an
eel" replied one of the crew.


II could swim up the Seine from
Havre to Paris" said little Jacques.
The captain hesitated, but the lives
of all on board were at stake, and he
yielded.


Jacques fastened 70 prepare for