American boys in the Arctics; a trip to the far north by a new path (1899) (14580307797)

Identifier: americanboysinar00fren (find matches)
Title: American boys in the Arctics; a trip to the far north by a new path
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: French, Harry W. (Harry Willard), 1854-
Subjects:
Publisher: Boston, Lothrop Publishing Company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress



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d there was little to say thatwas important enough for that. When a wave rose fiercer and higherthan the rest and dashed itself over the pier and about their feet, andthe wind hurled its burden of blinding spray into their faces and lashed theprotruding abutments of the wharf, a groan rose from that solemn com-pany, coming from the depths of every heart that was beating there. Suddenly that silent crowd was roused to the most intense excite-ment, and the cold blood was sent throbbing through their veins. Theboom of a cannon sounded. The last cry for help, from some ship indistress. It was close at hand ! It shook the pier! The people, all lifeand earnestness now, pressed out to the end of the wharf, regardless ofthe breakers dashing toward them and often gurgling about their feet. The rain was falling in torrents now, cutting away the fog, and amoment later, as another peal thundered its call for help, a huge blackoutline could be faintly seen, floundering and rolling helplessly among
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RUSHING TO THE WEATHER RIGGING. REMARKABLE DE VEL OPMENTS. 27 the waves, plunging onward before the gale toward a ragged ledge, uponthe other side of the wharf, which in fair weather formed a breakwaterto protect the little harbor, but to-day meant inevitable death to anythingapproaching it. In fifteen minutes that vessel would be drifting past the wharf, notfive hundred feet away. In half an hour it would be dashed to piecesupon that ledge. Could nothing be done to save it? Brave men looked helplessly ateach other. Lives! human lives! Fathers! brothers! sons! Women and chil-