The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 242: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE STEAM PACKET. 185 their return; and towards the coast did the old man and his young companion proved As they drew near the sand-hills which bound in that part the mighty bed wherein the ocean, lately so calm, was raging, the sounds of many Voices fell upon their ears—men calling out and giving orders, women screaming, and sailors vociferating words of encouragement ih hope in their own peculiar technical phraseology. Then the flapping of sails and the rattling of cordage was heard ; and when Father Michel and Henri reached the shore, they found, as they had anticipated, that a ship had run aground, and that all human efforts were being made to save the crew. But how powerfully excited were Pierre’s feelings, how great his admiration, and how dread his alarm,—when he was told, in answer to a few hurried inquiries, that three or four gallant young men had put off in a small boat to carry a rope to the ship, and that his own son was of the party. Indeed it was in compliance with his representations, and in his own boat, that this daring achievement was attempted. “‘Oh! ‘why was I not here in time to join him!” ejaculated Henri Alvimar, who entertained a strong friendship for the brother of his beautiful Pauline. _ No!” cried Father Michel impressively ; ‘‘ it would be too severe a blow, were those dreadful waves to engulph all our hopes at the: same instant !”’ Pierre scarcely knew what he said: but Henri immediately fancied that an allusion to his attachment for Pauline was implied—although that attachment had not as yet been formally revealed; and, feeling grateful for the sort of acquiescence in his suit thus conveyed, he pressed the old man’s hand warmly. At that moment a shout of welcome arose from the crowds that stood along the shore; and, that multitude suddenly giving way, Albert hastened forward bearing a female form in his arms. His father was instantly by his side. | “Father,” said Albert in a hurried tone, “‘an elderly gentleman— her father, perhaps—implored me to save this poor girl: she is insen- sible—she has fainted ;—take charge of her—convey her home—you and Henri can earry her between you—while I return and superintend.. the measures necessary to save the crew of yonder vessel.”’ With these words he yielded his burden to those whom he addressed, and hurried back again to the strand. No longer consulting those selfish fears for his child which had. led him to the coast, Pierre immediately returned home with Henri, bearing between them the lifeless form of the young female whom Gomichbooks (E(0)