Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-09

evening" i eDOeaVofeu I'd con-
vince myself mat the noises ! had heard
we're but the fancies of a disturbed i'm
.agination, and | slept soundly. Ill-timed
security! About midnight l was awak-
ened by a scufling in the vessel. l hast
ened to the spot; the captain and one of
his officers were fighting against a null
titude OF the ships crew. In a moment
after | saw the officer fall. Two fellows
advanced to me, and, clapping pistols to
my breast, threatened instant death, If
stirred or spoke. ! gazed on the bloody
spectacle; the bodies which lay around,
swimming j. gore, testified that The mu-
%tineers could not have accomplished their
aim with impunity. | was horror struck:
a swimming sensation came over my
eyes, my limbs failed me-, and l fell
senseless.
When | recovered, l found myself ly-
ing on a.bed. Every thing was still.
listened in vain for a sound: | lay still a
considerable time; at last, | arose and
walked about the ship, but could sec 10
one. | searched every part of the vessel,
| visited the place Of slaughter, which l
had at first, carefully avoided; | counted
nine dead bodies, and tho coagulated
blood formed a loathsome mass around
them; ! %shnddered to think was desc
late-the companion Of death. "Good
God!' said |, "and they have left me
here a%lone!" The word sounded like a
! knell to HE. 1t now occurred to mo, it
was necessary the bodies should be
thrown overheard. l took up one Of
them, dragged it to the side, and plunged
it into the sea; reminded me more fOrci-
bly, Of my loneliness. The sea was so
calm, l could scarcely hear it ripple by
the vessels side. One by one | com
mltted their bodies TO their watery grave.
| At last my horrible task was finished
My next work was to look for the ships
boats, but they were gone as expected.
| could not bear to remain in tho ship;
it seemed a Vast tomb for me. / resolved
to make some sort of raft, and depart in
it. This occupied two or three days; at
length it was completed, and l succeeded
in setting it aloat.
lowered into it all the provisions l
could find in the ship, which was but lit
tie, tho sailors having, as | imagined,
carried offthe remainder. All was ready,
and | prepared to depart: l trembIcd at
the thought of the dangers was about
to encounter. | was going to commit
myself to the ocean, separated from it
only by a few boards, which a wave
might scatter over the surface Of the
waters. might never arrive at land, or
meet with any vessel to rescue ME from
my danger, and | should be exposed,
without shelter, and almost without food.
| half resolved to remain in my present
| situation; but a moments reflection dis
! PEELED the idea Of such a measure. |
descended; 1 stood on my frail raft; | cut
the rope by which it was fastened to the
ship. 1 was confused to think of my
situation; l could hardly believe that |
had dared to enter alone on the waste of
waters. | endeavored to compose my
self, but in vain. As far as | could see,
nothing presented itself to my view but
the vessel J had left; the sea was per-
tectly still, for not the least wind was
stirring. | endeavored with two pieces
of board, which supplied the place Of
oars, to row myself along; but the very
little progress | made, alarmed me. Ii
the calm should continue, | should per-
ish with hunger. How l Ionged 10 set
the little saul | had made, agtta,ed by the
breeze! | watched it from morning to
night; it was my only employment; but
in vain. The weather continued the
same. Two days passed over; | looked
at my store of provisions; it would not,
I found, last above three or four days
longer, at the far,hest. They were
quickly passing away. l almost gave
myself UP for lost. l had scarcely u hope
for escaping.
On the fourth day since my departure
from the ship, thought | perceived
something at IA distance; looked at ii
in,eatly-it was n sail. Good heavens!
what were my emotions ut the sight! |
fastened my handkerchief on a piece Of
wood, aud waved it, in hopes that II
would be observed, and hat should be
rescued FROM my fearful condition. The
vessel passed on its course; | shouted,
- knew they could not hear me-, but
despair impelled Inc to try so useless an
expedient. 1t passed ont grew dim
/ stretched my eye-balIs to see tit
vanished-it was gone! l will not at
tempt to describe the torturing feelings
which possessed me, at seeing the chance
of relief which had offered itself destroy
ed. | was Supplied with grief and dIsap-
pointment. My stock of provisions was
now entirely exhausted, and l looked
forward with horror to an excrucia,ing