A terrible storm swept the
Atlantic and hurled the billows upon the coast of England and
a ship was thrown on the rocks. The night fell dark and
lowering. The storm rose higher as the night deepened. Fires
were kindled all along the shore, if by any means to help
those who were needing help. The lifeboat was manned. Out
through the breakers and into the storm they went to the
rescue. By and by they came back with all on board except one
man; and John Holden, who stood upon the shore, cried: "Do you
have all the ship's company?"
They answered, "All
but one man."
"Why did you not get
him?"
"Well, our strength
was nearly gone, and if we had tarried long enough to rescue
him we all should have been engulfed in the pitiless sea."
Then John Holden said, "These men who have been to the rescue
are nearly exhausted. Who is there who will go with me to
rescue the one man?" and six sturdy fellows came promptly
forward.
Then John Holden's
mother threw her arms about his neck and said, "John, don't
you go! Your father was swallowed up by the angry ocean, and
your brother William two years ago went out upon the sea, and
I fear that he is lost, too, for we have not heard of him
since. You are the pillar of my life and my only dependence.
Who will care for me if the sea swallows you
also?"
Then John Holden, with
his firm, strong grasp, took those arms in which he had
reposed in innocent infancy and removed them from his neck;
and then he said, as he gently pushed his mother aside, "There
is a man there drowning, and I must go, mother. If the sea
should swallow me, God will take care of you; I'm sure He
will." Kissing her furrowed cheek, he turned and stepped into
the lifeboat which was already manned.
They pushed out into
the breakers and to the wreck. They found the man still
clinging to the rigging, and, getting him into the boat, they
pulled back to the shore. As the boat neared the shore,
someone shouted, "Have you found the man?" "Yes," answered
John Holden, "and rescued him; and say to my mother that he is
my brother William!"
~Author Unknown to
me
