The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-08

'lhank God Tor that exclaimed the old fellow
in hearty tone; Where is Antonio =
'Gone off, was the reply.
'Gone of--gone off, repeated the skinner I,
himself, puzzled at the answer; | don't under
stand He means fell Off Antonio has slipped hi
hold, poor fellow, and gone to the bottom You
mean Antonio is gone--drownedn again shouted
the wrecker.
'Yes, sir, gone--not drowned-but gone off,!
was lrving's reply, emphasizing the last words.
The old man was nonplussed; but he had moi
time to ask for more explicit answer, as he had
to attend to the duty of relieving the sufferer from
his uncomfortable situation.
Running little to the leeward, the schooner
was dexerously brought up in the wind, so that,
as she ranged ahead--her sails shvering the while
the supposed boat was brought close under her
lee -Four men were stationed, two in the fore and
Two in the main rigging, ready to seize upon the
young man.
'Ilolloa! what's ,his--a log ? exclaimed one of
the men, as the mast grazed the side of the vessel,
The next moment Irving was in the brawny grasp
of two of the crew, aud almost before he was aware
Of it he stood safe and sound on the schooner
deck, though coalless, ha,less, and dripping with
brine,
God bless you, my dear fellow!' said the wreck
er, Selling the hand of the bewlldered youth, and
How is this J how came you on that log where
is the boat where's Antonio p where the ques-
tons showered upon him from all quarters.
A few words suiliced to explain the whole mat
ter, and curses, loud and deep, were invoked on
the head of the treacherous Spanard, by the indg-
nant crew.
lie cannot have got far with this wind,' said
one, let us 20 in pursuit of The blackhearted vii
lain
agreed, let's have him backr was the response
of the others; and had not Irving in,crfercd and
persuaded them 10 leave him to his fl,c the fugi-
tive would no doubt have been followed and taken,
and, perhaps have tasted of the mcrcics of the an
cicnt I.ynch-Law, which among those rude men,
i, is probable would not have been very tendery
administered,
'Ay, let US leave him TO his fate, said the old
man, and sad one it will be, too, if am NOT
deceived in the present signs. If the wind holds
as it does now he cannot make harbor, unless he
runs for the cove, which it is not likely he will do,
and if he attempts 10 stay out aud weather the
storm thu, is brccding-lhe Lord have mercy on
lis soul, he will never see daylight agan!'
The old mans advice was followed, and in
short time the schooner was on her way running
for the cove.
With feelings little 10 be cnyicd Ellen awaited
the return Of the vessel, trembling with apprchcn-
sion us first ono and then another hour slowly pass
ed away without her arrival, Again aud again had
she visited the different hcad-lands in the hope of
catching sight of the returning sail; bu, the mist
was so dense she could not pierce its thick folds.
AT las, the schooner hove in sight and entered
the cove. The wrecke's daughter hurried down
TO the Shore aud crouchng under n clill, waited
with the most intense anxiety 10 learn the rcsul, of
the search. Her fears were painfully heightened
when she noticed tia, the small boat was not in
tow. A faint, sickly feeling crep, over her at the
dread silence which reigned on hoard the schooner,
for not word was spoken. They had been un-
successful; or perhaps the body had been found
As this terrible thought occurred to her, dizzy,
swimming sensation in the head caused her 10 lean
upon the rocks for support.
Bu, the poor girl was not kept long in suspense.
Edward was the first 10 step on shore, aud just as
the scnscs of the dcspairing girl were failing her,
he happened to make some casual remark. The
first words had barely escaped his lips, when
quick, wild cry Of JOY met MS ear. Turning oil the
instant, he felt himself claspcd in the convulsivc
embrace of the hall-ji,racIcd maiden, who leaned
trembling and sobbns like n child upon his bosom.
That moment repaid him for all his suffering!