The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FROM THE CANADIAN TIMES OF JUNE 24.

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.

On the morning of the 18th instant, three boys, the eldest about 17 years of age—having been to the mill of Mr. P. Wright, of Hull, were returning to the eastern side of the Ottawa in a canoe containing about 60 weight of flour. Unfortunately from want of knowledge, of the danger, which they must incur in crossing so near the Chene Rapids, they did not go far enough up the river. After having paddled nearly half the width of the river, the canoe was observed by several on the shore to be irresistibly drawn by the force of the current towards the vortex which this tremendous rapid presents. She was going down broadside, in which case immediate death must have been the event. But with presence of mind, although death seemed to stare them in the face, the boy at the helm righted her and headed down the stream. Scarcely had he done this when with the velocity of lightning, the canoe dashed among the terrifick breakers. A moment, and she was lost to the petrified spectators on the banks, who stood in full view of the scene, with dreadful consciousness that they could render no assistance to the sufferers. Again the canoe appeared, and the largest boy was seen to throw overboard some bags of flour. Instantaneously they disappeared among the waves, and the spectators gave them up as lost. Although the canoe was forced through a swell which is said to rise above 20 feet high, yet the boys adhered to the boat—which was upset three times in succession. Messrs. McGillivray and Monier, of Hull, who had been witnesses to this scene, ran to the lower landing, where by chance they found a canoe, sprang into it, and pulled for the other side, to save the boys if possible. Another, however, had rowed towards them from the other side, and found them clinging around their canoe, which was upset. The swell was still so great that those who came to assist could not reach them. They were therefore obliged to let them float down still further before they could take them out of their perilous condition, still keeping within call of them. The largest boy had, with admirable presence of mind, as soon as they emerged from the heaviest part of the swell, directed the smaller to approach each other, and lock their arms across the bottom of the canoe. This was done, and he placed himself at the stern, and grasping with his hands the gunwale on both sides, gave her direction down the stream. They were perceived in this situation by the canoe from the eastern side. After they had gone down about a mile, they were taken off, previous to which the smaller boys complained grievously that their hands were cramped. A fire was kindled on shore; warm clothes procured for the sufferers, and they, who but a few moments before seemed to have passed the barrier between life and death, were rescued from the dreadful fate which threatened them. We have seldom heard of an instance in which presence of mind was exhibited more fully in the most trying moment, than to the above incident.