Robert Merry's museum, Volumes III-IV (1842)Various
General
Robert Merry's museum, Volumes III-IV (1842)
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals
“We continued to drift along for a couple of hours, when the anchor
suddenly took effect, and we rode out the night in safety. In the
morning, the storm had abated, but everything was so covered with ice
that it was impossible for us to get up a sail. In this condition we
remained for four days, when a spell of milder weather set in, and we
were able to get the little schooner under way. In about a week we
reached Boston, where we learned the fate of the captain and his two
sons. He reached the shore in safety, but at the distance of nearly
three miles from any house. Both of his sons were chilled with the
intense cold, and the younger was in a short time unable to walk.
Yielding to his fate, the poor fellow lay down upon the beach and
begged his father to leave him to die, as the only means of saving his
own life and that of his brother. The father would not listen to this.
So he took the young man upon his back, and proceeded on his way. He
had not gone more than half a mile, when the elder son sunk to the
earth, incapable of proceeding farther.
“The storm still continued to rage, and for a moment the old man gave
way to despair; but soon recovering, he set forward, with the younger
son upon his back. Having proceeded a quarter of a mile, he laid him
down upon the beach, and returned to the elder boy, whom he found
almost in a state of insensibility. Taking him upon his shoulders,
he carried him to the spot where he had left his younger son. What
was his agony to discover that the boy was cold and lifeless! He now
proceeded with the one upon his back, but in a short time his foot
faltered, and he fell to the earth. There was no way, but to leave
his children, and reach the house, if possible, for aid. Faint and
exhausted, he proceeded with a staggering step, and when at last he
reached the house, his mind was so bewildered, that he could scarcely
tell his piteous tale. He said enough, however, to give the people some
intimation of the truth, and two men immediately set out to scour the
beach. They were not long in discovering the bodies of the two boys,
who were covered with the spray of the sea, thickly frozen to their
garments. Everything was done for them that kindness could suggest, and
all had the happiness of soon discovering signs of life. Gradually,
both recovered, and the anguish of the father gave way to joy. In
four days they were all able to leave the place, and soon after our
arrival with the little schooner they came on board. I had, however,
seen enough of the sea, and resolved in my heart never to trust myself
upon its treacherous bosom again. I made my way back to my home; and,
thoroughly penitent for my disobedience, resolved never again to
disobey my parents; for during the storm, and especially that fearful
night when the old sailor and myself were alone in the vessel, the
thought of my misconduct weighed heavily upon my heart, and took away
from me the power of providing against the danger that beset me.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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