Southern planter., 1832-12-01
Extract from Puulding's new novel. }
WESTWARD HO.

AN EARTHoUAKE.-While the argonants
Of the brOadhorn were gathering drin wood
along the shore, Rainsford accompanied by
captain Sam, strollcd to the confines of the
Great Prairie, as il is called, which extends
for many miles from the borders Of the Miss
issippi. As they stood admiring the rolling
expanse of vapor which gave IFS vast surface
the appearance Of the distant ocean in n calm.
and coursing with their eyes the dead and
noiseless solitude, distant rumbling sound
caught their attention for Notwithstanding
for moment and ia a moment beginning
again, apparently nearer than before. II was
succeeded by vast cloud of dust, which all
at once obscured the air, and hid from their
view the face of the world.
"Cut dirt, stranger, for your life; there's
whirlwind coming" cried captain Sam, suit
ing the action TO the word.
But he had scarcely spoken when the earth
opened between them, and they stood rocking
70 and fro, on either side yawninp chasm
The ground rose in waves like the sea in a
storm the vast trees that skirted the bnre
precincts Of the endless plain, nodded and
struck their high heads together with crash
and lashed each other with their giant limbs:
the earth burst its strong ribs, and rose and
split into ravines; the waters burst through
their bounds, and while they formed new
likes, or forced themselves into new channels
in some places, in otheIs they left large places
high and dry. Anon the waves of the firm
fixed earth subsided for a moment. and she
lay quivering as m the paroxism of an ap,le.
During this appalling interval, Rainsiord
and his companion rose from the gro,tnd
where they had been thrown by the rcsistless
force ofthe vibrations, enthusiastically souoht
refuge they knew not whittier. The cantoin
made towards the river, as being his natural
element, while the other climbed one of the
lofty trees that sldrted the bounds of the inter-
minabc plain, from vague apprehension NJ
the waters, which as we'll as the earth seemed
struggling TO free themselves from the Cettors
of natures in6exible laws. He had scarceI,,
done this, when again the same appalling
noise approached from another quarter a0ai1
the llrm earth began TO heave and curl into n
sea Of waves that seemed 10 approach from n
distance, gathering strength, and rising hi0h-
er and higher, until they burst, scattering vast
volumes Of water and sand high in the mir
and leaving the ground scanned with deem
chasms, which the traveller still surveys will
astonshment and dismay. In a few moments
the earth seemed changed into different ii.
ement, and 10 become an ocean. A large
portion of the district around was covered
with waters, and the tree ON which Rainsford
had sought refuge stood rocking to and fro in
the midst of them. Darkness, or at least an
obscurlty, like that Of a total eclipse or tho
sun, came over the world; such was the dis
may OF all animated nature, that little brd
came and sought refuge in the bosom Of tbe
Young man, where il lay quiet and tame n
,ne trance OF terror. He could feel lis little
heart beat against his own, and the commrn-
ION of sympathy between him and the nont.
ing ilultercr was not nsoothing in this terri.
bic hour. '0'i'-
Casting his eye toward the town NJ No,,
Madrid, he beheld the houses totterino nnd
tumbling toPieces, and the people fleeing 10
ana iro IN all the desperation Of oyerwbelm-
ing terror. Turning TO the Mississinn bo
suddenly observed in one particular spot bo;l
up and overflow its banks, CARVING hants a,,J
every thing that floated on its surface far over
INTO the fields, where they were left nereec,
wrecks. Nay, il spared neither the I;vin,e
nor the dead, for all at once he saw the li,tie
graveyard of the village, with IFS monlde,;ne,
bones and quiet inhabitants, lifted ms il v,ere
rom It's resting place, and hurled into tbe tor-
!ch'' Wnere II and they were scattered. meyer
10 associate again in time or in eternity
~ looked ike the last agony of expirino ,..
tuIe--as II The Omnipolent had resigned his
enple oi lhe universe, and left the rebel 81.
e'neh's to struggle for mastery.