THE REV. MR. ANCIENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1583, 1 September 1873, Page 4

THE REV. MR. ANCIENT.

Mr Ancient's account of the part he played in the fearful tragedy of the wreck of the Atlantic, was both vivid and interesting. When he reached the wreck, which took place about two miles from his house, most of the. saved had been landed. He sought to find them shelter, till his attention was attracted by the man and the woman in the rigging and the boy on the wreck. He went to Mr Ryan, the Magistrate, and said, "The water is smooth enough ; you can get alongside in a boat." They were then hauling the boats on the shore. " But you cannot get at them when you get out there," said Mr Ryan. " Give me a boat and some men ; put me on board and 1 will get them." A boat was manned ; but when they n eared the ship the men would not put him on board. They loved their pastor, and thought it certain death to put him on the vessel. Mr Ancient entreated them; /'John," he said to the most solicitous of the crew, "if : I am doomed I won't hold you responsible. Put me on board." Whi\e they were backing and filling, the boy fell off. They picked him up, wrapped a coat around him, and landed him. the men agreed to put Mr Ancient on board. The ship's side was then at an angle of SOdeg, and the fishermen have not yet got over their admiration for their pastor's skill in climbing it, and in running the rail he found a piece of one of the braces in the main rigging, made one. end fast, and carried the other along with. him. When he reached the outer davit he shouted to the man in the rigging, "You are an officer, are you not?" " Yes," was the reply, " Then you know how to make a; bowline ?" " Yes, sir." Mr Ancient then threw him an end of the rope, first taking a turn around the davit. "Now, put your confidence in me, and move when I tell you." Mr Firth .followed his directions, and the minister led him along by the rope, taking in the slack as he went. Whenever he slipped, the turn around the davit and the strong arm of his rescuer held him. A great sea swept over, and washed the officer off. "OLord." he cried out, " I have broken my shins 1 I have broken my shins !" " Never mind your shins, man ; it is your life, we are after J" Finally he got him to the mam rigging and to the vessel's' side, and let him into the boat by a rope ; and the man saved.