DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70300#0221
LOSS OF THE SYLVAN. 193
happily, was not long accomplishing; a rope was flung on
the cliffs, and Jack, more adroit than his predecessor on the
island, soon seized, and tied it round his waist and shoulders.
Notwithstanding the perils of the scene, it was almost whim-
sical to see this fine fellow collecting the boy’s and his own
clothes, which he deliberately tied up in a bundle, and put
under his arm ; and then, descending to the most favourable
spot, he watched his opportunity, and threw himself into the
sea; from which, in the course of about five minutes, he
was released by his companions, who signified his safety by
loud cheers, which were returned from those parts of the
land where they could be heard. It was then exactly half
past two o’clock. The whale-boat, with the American
crew, arrived almost at the moment Carty had got into his
boat; but they were in sight some time before, and were
also seen rowing in the most undaunted maimer in the heavy
sea, and almost in the surge, advancing towards the most
accessible point of the island. Upon learning the safety of
the boy, they gave three cheers, and returned to Kinsales
scarcely less entitled to public gratitude, than if they had
been the instruments of preservation. Other boats also
arrived at the moment, ignorant of what had occurred, but
all determined to make a simultaneous effort. Lieutenant
Desprang, of the royal navy, and Lieutenant Blackyer, had
proceeded in one boat, with geese and turkeys, to which
were attached such pieces of bread as they could be sup-
posed to carry, and which were to be fled in the direction
of the island, when the boat got sufficiently near for that
pm pose? ' These preparations were happily rendered unne-
cessary; but those who provided them, and underto k their
superintendence, are entitled to the greatest praise.
“ The king’s boat from Oysterhaven, with the Messrs.
Holmes, also arrived at the moment, and into this the boy
was transfer)ed, and conveyed to Mr Holmes’s, where every
attention that his forlorn situation lequired, was bestowed
upon him by that gentleman and his family.
VOL. VI.
O
happily, was not long accomplishing; a rope was flung on
the cliffs, and Jack, more adroit than his predecessor on the
island, soon seized, and tied it round his waist and shoulders.
Notwithstanding the perils of the scene, it was almost whim-
sical to see this fine fellow collecting the boy’s and his own
clothes, which he deliberately tied up in a bundle, and put
under his arm ; and then, descending to the most favourable
spot, he watched his opportunity, and threw himself into the
sea; from which, in the course of about five minutes, he
was released by his companions, who signified his safety by
loud cheers, which were returned from those parts of the
land where they could be heard. It was then exactly half
past two o’clock. The whale-boat, with the American
crew, arrived almost at the moment Carty had got into his
boat; but they were in sight some time before, and were
also seen rowing in the most undaunted maimer in the heavy
sea, and almost in the surge, advancing towards the most
accessible point of the island. Upon learning the safety of
the boy, they gave three cheers, and returned to Kinsales
scarcely less entitled to public gratitude, than if they had
been the instruments of preservation. Other boats also
arrived at the moment, ignorant of what had occurred, but
all determined to make a simultaneous effort. Lieutenant
Desprang, of the royal navy, and Lieutenant Blackyer, had
proceeded in one boat, with geese and turkeys, to which
were attached such pieces of bread as they could be sup-
posed to carry, and which were to be fled in the direction
of the island, when the boat got sufficiently near for that
pm pose? ' These preparations were happily rendered unne-
cessary; but those who provided them, and underto k their
superintendence, are entitled to the greatest praise.
“ The king’s boat from Oysterhaven, with the Messrs.
Holmes, also arrived at the moment, and into this the boy
was transfer)ed, and conveyed to Mr Holmes’s, where every
attention that his forlorn situation lequired, was bestowed
upon him by that gentleman and his family.
VOL. VI.
O