AN EXCITING SCENE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2531, 29 September 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN EXCITING SCENE.

A few days ago the wife of the President of the Council and her niece, Madame Jules Ferry, were the eye-witnesses of an exciting scene, almost at the very gates of the villa whicli they are occupying for the moment on the coast of the Department of the Calvados. A tempest was raging fiercely ; the wind was blowing a hurricane, and the sea, running mountains high, was tearing and breaking over the beach into the very road in which the villa was situated. . A fishing boat, the Deux Sceurs, with two bravo fellows, Morel and Leroy, on board, was vainly attempting to steer into the harbour. Finally she was borne on the crest of the towering billows to the shore, and hurled with violence on the road. The two fishermen were thoroughly worn out, but they made desperate efforts to drag their boat well on terra Jinim out of reach of the devouring tide. They clung on to their craft and shonted for assistance. One of the men servants in the villa heard their cries' and ran out to help them, and with his aid the boat wa3 at length pulled up securely on dry ground. Then Morel aud Leroy looked round them, drawing a long breath. The craft was safe, but they were utterly exhausted aud there was no inn within easy reach, where they could refresh themselves. Suddenly two ladies, emerging from the villa, took them by the hand and invited them to come in and dry their clothes and enjoy a comfortable meal—these were Madame Floquet and Madame Jules Ferry; the villa was the Villa Amulie, and the place Trouville. The ladies had watched the stirring episode with anxious attention, and soon Morel and Leroy were restoring the'' inner man " beside a glowing fire. Dry garments were afterwards offered them, but they declined the loan, saying that they were accustomed to a " du,ckiug."