Let me
relate to you a true story in illustration of what I say.
"When the unhappy war that has been waged by our troops in Mexico broke
out, a lieutenant in the navy, who had a quiet berth at Washington, felt it
to be his duty to go to the scene of strife, and therefore asked to be
ordered to the Gulf of Mexico. His request was complied with, and he
received orders to go on board the steamer Mississippi, Commodore Perry,
then about to sail from Norfolk to Vera Cruz.
"Soon after the Mississippi arrived out, and before the city and castle
were taken, a terrible 'norther' sprung up, and destroyed much shipping in
the harbor. One vessel, on which were a number of passengers, was thrown
high upon a reef, and when morning broke, the heavy sea was making a clear
breach through her. She lay about a mile from the Mississippi, and it soon
became known on board the steamer, that a mother and her infant were in the
wreck, and that unless succor came speedily, they would perish. The
lieutenant of whom I speak, immediately ordered out a boat's crew, and
although the sea was rolling tremendously, and the 'norther' still blowing
a hurricane, started to the rescue.
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