The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-05-18

now the enemy OF thee, base woman y
He had approached so near to her as he !
spoke, that she leant her head as if to whis-
per to him; he bent low; with one bound
she placed him between herself and the fa-
tai brink, and, quick as lightning, pushed
him toward it with all her force-for in one
although the morning had found
her raving maniac, she saw the cause Of
her husbands conduct. In vain he en-
deavored to regain his balance. He slip
ped and then rolled over into the yawning
chasm, 10 meet in death the victims Of his
wrath.
The country people still point out the fa-
tai spot to the traveller, and strange tales
are told Of womans spirit that still flies
about the Miler's Clif'-and even now,
though fifty years have passed since the oc-
currence of the events mentioned in this
narrative, none dare venture near the rock
of the Wife's revenge
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From the U. S. Magazine and Democratic Review.
OLD IRONSIDES ON A LEE SHORE.
BY AN EYE WITNESS.
1t was at the close Of stormy day in
the year 1885, when the gallant Grigate
Constitution, under the command of Cap
tain Ellot-having on board the late Ed
ward Livingston, late Minister at the Court
of France, and his family, and manned by
nearly five hundred sculs-drew near to the
''chops'' of the English Channel. For
four days she had been beating down from
Plymouth, and on the fifth, at evening,
she made her last tack for the French
coast.
The watch was set at eight P. M.-the
captain came on deck soon after, and hav-
ing ascertained the bearing of Scilly, gave
orders TO keep the ship "lull and bye," re-
marking at the same time 10 the officer OF
the deck, that he might make the light on
the lee beam, but he stated, he thought it
more than probable that he would pass it
without seeing it. He then "turned in
as did most of the idlers and the starboard
TuVUn.
At quarter past nine, P. NJ, the ship
headed west by compass, when the call oi
"Lght o I" was heard from the foretoPsall
yard.
"Where away 7" asked the officer of the
deck.
"Three points on the lee bow" replied
the lookout man, which the unprolessiona
reader will readily understand 10 mear
very nearly straight ahead. At this mo
ment, the captain appeared and took th'
trumpet.
"CaII all hands," was his immediate or
der.
"All hands," whistled the boatswain
with the long shrill summons familiar to tn
ears of all whO have ever been on board
man-of-war. ,
"All hands," screamed the bOatswain,
mates, and ere the last echo died away, al
but the sick were upon deck.
The ship was staggering through heav,
swell from the Bay of Biscay, the gal
which had been blowing several days, haC
increased 10 a severity that was not 10 b.
made light of. The breakers, where 81
Cloudesley Shovel and his fleet were de
stroved, in the days Of Queen Anne, san!
their songs of death before, and the Dead
Mans Ledge replied in hoarser notes be
hind us. To go ahead seemed 10 be death
and 10 attempt 10 go about was sure des'ruc
ton.
The first thing that caught the eye of til
captain was the lured mainsail, which h
had ordered to be carried throughout th
eyening-the hauling up Of which, ,conrar
10 the order that he had given on leavin
the deck, had caused the ship 10 fall oil
leward two points, and had thus led her in
10 position on ''lee shore" upon whic
strong gale was blowing her, in whic
the chance of safety appeared TO the stou
est nerves almost hopeless. That sol
t chance consisted in standing on, TO carr
, us through the breakers Of Scilly or by
close Craze along their outer ledge. Wa
. this destined to be the end of the gallar
old ship, consecrated by so many praye
and blessing from the heart of nation!
= "Why is the mainsail up, when oIdel
, ed it set!" cried the captain in tremendou
= voice.
"Fmding that she pitched her bows III
: der, took it in under your general ordC
r sir that the officer of the deck should carr
! sail according to his discretion" replle
| the Lieutenant in command.
"Heave the log,"was the prompt con
mand, 10 the masters mate. The log VIZ
> thrown.
/ GLOW fast does she 60 -
= "Five knots and half, sir"
: "Board the main tack, sir"