The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-01-04

themselves, and performing the vari-
Gus external acts required by their Pc
cnliar persuasion; while number OF
the older AID more stout-heaFted SOL
diers and sailors, sullenIy took their
seats directly over the magazine, hop
ieg as they stated, that by means of the
explosion which they every instant ex-
pected, speedier termination might
thereby be put to their sufferings. Sew
eral of the soldiers wives and children
who had fed for temporary shelter in
10 the alter cabins on the upper decks,
were engaged in prayer and in reading
the Scriptures with the ladies', some Of
whom were enabled, with wonderful
self-possession, to offer to others those
spiritual consultations which firm and
intelligent trust in the Redeemer Of the
world appeared at this awful hour 10
impart to their own breasts. The Dig
niied department of two young ladies,
10 particular, formed specimen of nat
ural strength of mind, finely modified
BY Christian feeling, that failed not TO
attract the notice and admiration of ev-
cry one who had an opportunity of
witnessing it.
8" One young gentleman, of whose
promising talents and Piety dare not
now make further mention, having
calmly asked ne my opinion respect
ing the state of the ship, | told him
that thought we should be prepared
TO sleep that night in eternity; and /
shall never forget the peculiar fervor
with which he replied, as he pressed
my hand in his. MY heart is filled
with the peace of God; adding, yet
though |. know it is foolish, dread
exceedingly the last struggle
Among the numerous objects thai
struck my observation at this period, l
was much affected with the appearance
aud conduct of some Of the dear chill
dren, who, quite unconscious. in the cud-
dy cabins, of the perils that surrounded
them, continued TO play as usual with
their little toys in bed, or TO put the
most innocent aud unreasonable ques-
lions 10 those aronud them. To some
Of the older children, who seemed fully
alive to the reality of the danger, |
whispered, Now is the time to put in
practice the instructions you used to re-
ceive at the Regimental School, and TO
think of that Saviour of whom you have
heard so much they replied, as the
tears ran down their cheeks, 90, sir,
we are trying to remember them and
we are praying to God"
Most Unexpectedly and proyidentially
small brig was discovered at distance.
which proved 10 be the Cambria, of
200 tons burden, commanded by Captain
Cook, with a ships company of eleven
men. The length of time the Kent
had been burning, the tremendous sea
that was running, the extreme small
ness of the Cambria, and The immense
number of human beings to be rescued,
rendered it very improbable that many
could oe saved; but by the great exer-
tons and good conduct of all parties,
the majority Of the crew of the Kent
excepted, no less than FIVE hundred
and tifty-seven persons escaped. The
periIous circumstances which attended
the rescue occupy the chief part of the
narrative. The women and children
were first put into boats; next followed
the various classes of men on board !:
the officers themselves remaining 10
the last, and preserving order to de-
gree nct to have been hoped for, but
which materially facilitated the periIous
operation, and was the means of saving
many lives. The rescue of the fist
boat-full is thus described -
Arrangements having been consid-
erately made by Captain Cobb for plac-
ing in the first boat, previous 10 letting
It down, all the ladies', and as many of
the soldiers wives as it could safely
contain, they hurriedly wrapt them
selves up in whatever articles of cloth
ing could be most conveniently found !;
and think about two, or half past two
o'clock, most mOurnfuI procession adj
vanced from the after cabins to the
starboard cuddy-port, outside of which
the cutler was suspended. Scarcely a
word was uttered-not scream was
-heard-eyen the infants ceased to cry.
as if conscious OF the unspoken and un-
speakable anguish that was at that in
stan, rending the heart of their parting
paren;s--nor was the silence of voices
in any way broken, except in one or
two cases, where the ladies plaintively
entreated permission 10 be left with
their husbands. But being assured that
every moments delay might occasion
the sacrifice Of human life, they sue
cessiyely suffered themselves to be torn
from the tender embrace, and with the