The Delaware register, or, Farmers', manufacturers' & mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1829, 1829-03-28

him his protection would be most needed.
The fisherman perceiving at once the desperate ma
ture of his situation the tide he knew was coming in
rapidly, and his hope of escape was at end, when
he perceived that his boy, in effort to the oars
had let one of them fall overheard Father, father
exclaimed the poor lad what shall do ?''-the boat
was at this moment distant that his distracted pa
rent could scarcely hear the words, but he called out
to him as loud he could to trust in God, the father
of the faherless. He then stood resigned to the fate
which awaited him. and watched the drifting boat in
peril from the fatal rocks. He had offered up brief
prayer to the throne of mercy, when in instant
light broke upon his mind. I" Great God' he excla-
med, Z" may vet be sayed.'' With the energy of
hope battling with despair, he collected all the
around him, and heaped them rapidly up the high
est ledge of rocks-it indeed wonderful how he
could have gathered many in short time j.; but
the Almighty gave strength to his arm, and he la
boring not for life merely but for beings still dearer
to him. The tide came on, on, on, and soon obliged
him to abandon his work. He then mounted the pile
he had heaped, planted his boat-hook firmly in one OF
the crevces Of the cliff and prepared to struggle for
existence but his heart failed him. when he consid
cred how slight was the possibility that the waters
would not rise above his head. Still, he determined
TO do all he could preserve life. The waves were
Lot rough, and the boat-hook supported him.
The awful moment rapidly approached the water
had reached his knees but he stood firmly and pray
ed that he might be preserved On, on on, it came,
slowly and gently, but more tearuly than 1t had ra
ged around its destined prey soon it reached his
waist and he prayed that it might go higher On,
on, on, it came, and his shoulders were covered
hope died within him, and he thought of himself no
longer, but of those who dear TO him-his
wife, his children, and his ather-it for blessings
on them that lie then implored Heaven Still on, on,
on, it came, and he forced to raise his head to
Keep as long as possible from death his reason was
almost gone. his breath grew feeble, his limbs chilled;
he panted and his prayer became almost gurgling
murmurs. The blood rushed to his head his eye
balls gared if they would start from their sockets.
lie closed them with an effort, and thought for the
last time on the home that would be wretched
Horrible images were before him-each swell of the
waves seemed as if the fends forcing him down
ward, and the cry of the seabird like their yells
over their victim. He gasping, choaking for he
had not strength to keep his head above the waves
cry moment it splashng upon him, and each con-
vusve start that followed only aroused him to the
consciousness, if consciousness it could be called,
that the next plunge would be his last.
Merciful powers at the very moment, when the
strength and spirit of man had left him, and the cold
shudder of death had on, he felt that the tide
rose no higher His eyes opened closed, and fearful
laugh troubled the waters They eddied in his throat
and the bubbles hoated around his ps-but they rose
no hgher-that he knew--agan and again his bosom
heaved with deep sob as he drew in his breath, and
gave it forth in agony. minute had passed since
the salt sea touched his lips this was impossible if
the tide still fowed--he could reason SO much He
opened his eyes, and family murmurcd forth" Oh
II of. No. hoI ,o,loo