Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-11-14


dark object driven like the oceaa-wetd upon
the waters, AT the close of the day, dismas''
cd shin. With q smack in company, was seen
through the dim haze drifting towards The
shore. They were yet several miles oista"';
but hope for the ship there was none' unless
the gale abated. The intui'ive eye OF The mo,
Their readily recognized the little bark, that heid,
as she supposed, her father, her husosno' ano
her two sons; and all the several relative oonds
were linked more closely round her hear'.-
Their occupation was manitest-they were
waiting 10 assist fellow creatures IN distress;
and the abundan, prayer for the safety Of ALL
spontaneously assembled from her lips
Nigh, yelled them from observation; but the
bold seamen Of the neighborhood, headed by
the reverend pastor Of he village, as magis'
tra,e. remained in readiness TO act as circum'
stances should require. Apprehension sat on
MANY furrowed eountenance, and dark an,i'i'
patton flied many feeling breast. bu' Ian
euage would fail TO describe the agony which
suspense and fearful sgi alton wrought IN Inc
mothers heart.
At length. about midnight, The report OF a
heavy gun echoed among The rocks, and told
, that The devoted ship was near a: hand; the
fash had pointed ou, her position, but hing
could ye, be seen. The pastor with his reso'
the shore; report followed report; fire. were
lighted on the rocks, 70 show 'hat ia"d was
near, bu, sill no oblrc, could be d,scerned
The Storm came more heavily, and vivid
lighnings rem, the f. ROWING clouds; then, when
the plsring flash threw It's stream Of awful
splr ndu1 on the f-a,hery foam. that fa,ed ship
was seen struggling with he waves AS . last
resource she had let go her anchors; and there
she lay, like the soul Of the mighty wrestling
with despair. Another guD-and yet-ano'her
but help was hopeless. From the shore no
assistance could he giveE: every attempt 10
ge' through The raging surf was useless; ane
the brave boatmen were compellrd-an unusual
circums, aucp--to be sad spectators OF the
scene
The ship rode heavily, as The long rolling
waves Came foaming in. Suddenly shrek
was heard upon the shore-a wild cry: The YES
sci had parted her cables, and the streaming
lightning showed her careering towards The
rocks with resis,less force. Onward She came
las was now plainly visibie) Though the hiss
ing foam. Still onward, onward, she urged
her desperate course, Till a tremendous crash
loud ysll-proclamed rha, he, STOUT timbers
were shattered, end many a s,outer heart was
buried in the waves.
The ship had struck on thai par Of the shore
where the rotks were s,eepes'; and the wreck
remained wedged in between two craggy knobs,
not more than one hundred faihoms from per
fec, safety. But even that was fearful space;
for the heavy breakers rolled over The sunken
rocks, and dashed with wild fury. Body alter
body came on he surge and were thrown up
on the land; but life had fed, and effo'' could
restore animation 10 the mangl.d and dishgur-
ed corpses.
The inhabi ants Of the adjacent village, young
and old, were crowded on the strand; and a.
midst the grDup was the venerable rector Or
ten, when the vivid fast illumirtd III, ] aiming
pillows, and showed he deck OF the reading
vessel, he rushed with his horse towards the
spot; but The barrier was impossible, and the
bitter shie aug upon his tortured ear. "Oh,
tina, / could die for theu!" he exclaimed
I" Father Of M rcies, stretch forth thine hand
and save" Willingly would he have given his
life for theirs; for he was prepared 10 meet his
God, whilst thew would he hurried in,u tive
presence Of their Mixer without q moment for
repentance.
Morning began TO dawn, and dawned in hor-
rot; but with Tvs carlies, beam the smack was
seen about mile from the shore, under snug
sail, and apparently in safety. The s'xirus
mother was with he villagers, but the children
remained at the house upon the cliff. Sleep
less had been their night; and q, the break Of
dav, the terrified Jane, with William and he
Iinle Mary, STOOD upon 'hr shelving rock, a.
bo,e the vswning gulf which had already en-
ombed many Ct their fellow creatures They
could see the Fisherman's Family, as The ligh,
became more clear; and il was evidently he
mention Of those on board, to run for The
Smugger's Gap-a small red Asg ha' ing been
hoisted at the masthead, to require the boat
men on shore to hold themselves in readiness
. give assistance.
AT this moment, whilst The children were
standing gazing at The vessel, he heavens
seemed 10 be rent asunder, and the red blaze Of
The forked lightning DATED forth; II struck the
smack, and masts and sails came lumbli.g
down in one general wreck. My hr:! my
father!" shriked the horror stricken Jane, re-
coiline backward, and graspiug her brother
round the neck, as il 81. feared that lie too
would be torn away The little Mary chung on
the other side, and even the poor cog looked
yyif matt nr fiSp lca, crc tka