The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-04-30
From The Detroit Gozette.
IN SELF POSSESSION.


not wealthy, was respectable man. lie
had fought the battles Of his country in the
revolution, and from biz familiarity with scene.
vt danger and peril, he had learned that II IS
always more prudent 10 preserve and affect
The air OF confidence N danger, than 10 betrsy
signs OF fear and especially 90, since his con-
duct might have great influence upon the
minds Of those about him. lie had occasion
10 send litle son across the river 10 the house
OF relation, on an errand, and as there was
then no bridge, the river must be forded. The
lad was familiar with every part OF the for
ding place, and when the water was low,
which was at this time the case, could cross
without danger. But be had scarcely arrived
al his place ct destination aud done bis erand,
when suddenly, as is frequently the case 10
mountainous countries, the heavens became
black with clouds, the winds, blew with great
violence, and the rain fell in torrents-it was
near night and became exceedingly dark. BY
the kindness OF his friends he was pursuaded,
though with some reluctance, 10 relinquish his
design OF returning in the evening, and 10
wait until morning. Tue father suspected The
cause Of his delay, and was not over anxious
Oh account of any accidents that might hap
pen 10 hun during the night. But he knew
that be had taught his son to render the most
obsequious obedience to his fathers COM
mands that he possessed daring and tear
less spirit, and would never be restrained by
force, he would as soon as il should be sufi
cIently light IN the morning, attempt TO ford
The river on his return. He knew also, that
the immense quantity of water that appeared
TO De falling, would, by morning cause the
river TO rise 10 a considerable heigb, aud make
it dangerous even for a man, ia the full pos
session of strength aud iortltude, TO attempt to
cross it. He therefore passed sleepIess
night; anticipating with all fathers feelings
what might befal bis child in the morning
The day dawned-the storm had ceased,
the wcd was still, aud nothing was to be heard
but the roar Of the waters Of the river. The
rise Of Inc river exceeded even the fathers
expectations, and no sooner was it sufficient
ly light to enable him to distinguish objects
across it. than he placed himself on the baak
to watch for the approach OF his son. The
son arrived on the opposite shore almost at The
same moment, and was beginning TO enter The
stream. All the fathers feelings were reused
into action, for be knew that his son was 10
the most imminent danger. He had proceed
ed too tar TO reurn--in fact, TO 60 forward or
TO return was 10 incur the same peril. His
b@se had arrived in The deepest part Of the
channel, and was struggling against the cur
rent, down which he was rapidly hurried and
apparently making but little progress toward
the shore. The boy became alarmed, and
raising his eyes toward the landing place be
discovered bis father. He exclaimed almost
frantic with fear, % shall drown, | shall
drown. Nor exclaimed The father in stern
and resolu,e tone, and dismssibg for mo-
ment his feelings OF tenderness, "No, if you
do, III whip you 10 death cling TO your
horse" The son, who feared father more
than the raging element in which be was en-
veloped, obeyed his command, and the noble
animal on which he was mounted, after strug-
Cling for some time, carried him safe TO the
shore. my son." said the glad father, burst,
ing into tears, 4" remember hereafter, that in
danger you must possess fOrtitude and deter
mining TO survive cling even to the last hope.
Had addressed you with the tenderness aud
fear which fell, your fate was inevitable !;
you would have been carried away in the cur
rent and should have seen you no more"
What an example is here Tue herosD,
bravery, philosophy and presence OF mind Of
this man, even eelipses the conduct Of Caesar,
when he said to his boatnaD. guid times ?
Caesar EN- Dehls.
Shell :" fish story"-The following fact has
been related TO us of Sailor belonging 10
the crew OF the Leopard OF this port, when on
her passage from New-Orlesns to New York,
during the last month. While at anchor near
the Caryford Reef, in about three fa:boms
water. young man named David Kingsley,
having declared bis intention OF going into The
water and " catch turtle y accordingly az
ter some jeering from his sh,pmates, and being
stripped. he plunged in, and disappeared for
some moments, when all was breathess any
iety and alarm tor his safety al length,
AID 10 their establishment, at the distance Of
% or 30 rods from where he enter cd The wa
Ter, he again appeared on the surfase, putting
and wheeling, in cone ert with a fine green
turtle, OF about fifty pounds weight. which he
helc close IN his arms, and which was secur-
ed, taken on board tie brig and brought into
New iork as an additional trophy OF The dar
ing enterprzs of American eauen.
Bridgeport Courier.