1 files changed, 105 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/10983-0.txt b/10983-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10b59ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10983-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10983 ***
+
+THE YOUNG CAPTIVES:
+
+A Narrative of the Shipwreck and Sufferings of John and William Doyley.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+1850.
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUNG CAPTIVES.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Here is a picture of a fine large English ship, called the _Charles
+Eaton_, which was wrecked in the Southern Ocean. The crew, you see, have
+made a raft of some of the spars and planks of the ship, and having all
+got upon it, are about cutting loose from the wreck, with the hope that
+they may reach one of the distant islands.
+
+Poor men! they did indeed reach the island; but only to meet a more
+dreadful death than that threatened them by the waves. Overcome with
+fatigue and anxiety, they no sooner gained the shore, than they all,
+captain, crew, and passengers, threw themselves on the earth, and soon
+were fast asleep. In this helpless state, they were attacked by the
+cruel and blood-thirsty savages who inhabited the island, and all
+barbarously murdered, except two little boys, John and William Doyley.
+
+These children, sons of a gentleman and lady who had been passengers
+in the ill-fated ship, were kept in captivity by the savages for many
+years.
+
+At the time of the shipwreck, John was a stout lad, thirteen or fourteen
+years old; but little William was a mere infant, being scarcely two
+years of age! Think what a dreadful life these poor little orphans had
+before them! Their kind parents cruelly murdered, and themselves
+prisoners to the barbarous murderers!
+
+At first the savages treated them harshly, and made them endure all
+kinds of privation and hardship. Finally, after changing from one cruel
+master to another several times, they were purchased by one more humane
+than the rest, named Dupper, who took them to his home on a distant
+island, and treated them with a great deal of kindness.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Dupper taught John how to shoot with the bow and arrow, with which he
+was himself very expert. He also showed him their method of spearing
+fish, and taught him many other savage accomplishments. In Dupper's
+family, too, the boys both learned to speak the native language, and
+they soon almost forgot their own.
+
+But they did not forget their own country; at least John did not; and as
+he often talked with William about their dear parents, and the pleasant
+home they had left many miles away, there was but little danger of
+William forgetting it either.
+
+Though kindly treated by Dupper and his family, and made as comfortable
+as their savage mode of life would allow, yet they suffered many cruel
+hardships, and severely felt the change from their former to their
+present way of living. They constantly sighed for home, and were made
+quite wretched by the prospect of a captivity to which they could see
+no end, except in death.
+
+But the same kind Providence who had preserved them when their parents
+and the crew of the unfortunate ship were murdered, still watched over
+and protected these despairing orphans. The day of their deliverance
+came quite unexpectedly. An English vessel arrived at the island, and
+cast her anchor near the shore. The natives immediately manned their
+canoes, and flocked on board, to trade with the strangers. John was
+permitted to go with the others, and when on the deck of the vessel,
+he told the captain and officers all about the shipwreck, the murder
+of the crew and passengers, and his own and his brother's captivity.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The kind captain listened to his story, and then set at once about
+effecting the release of the two boys, which he easily accomplished,
+and William soon joined John on board of the vessel, where Dupper also
+appeared, to take leave of his young friends. The kind native was quite
+sad at the parting, and shed tears of regret as he bade them farewell.
+But the boys were too happy in the expectation of seeing home once more,
+to grieve at parting with him, although he had been more kind to them
+than any of his countrymen.
+
+The next morning early, the ship set sail, and after visiting various
+places, she finally reached England in safety, where our two orphans
+were restored to their surviving friends, by whom they were kindly taken
+care of.
+
+Let us hope these little boys were ever grateful to their Heavenly
+Father, who had watched over and preserved them amid all their trials
+and sufferings, and finally enabled them to reach their home and
+friends. And let us all remember, that we can trust in Him, for He is
+able to preserve us, as well in the hour of danger as in that of fancied
+security and safety. Our lives are in His hands at all times, and it is
+from His mercy and goodness that we are fed, and clothed, and enjoy the
+many blessings which He constantly bestows upon us.
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10983 ***