Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-10-06

rain assistance.
A lieutenant, a midshipman, and two
men, volunteered for the desperate I'M
dertaking. The chances were IL ia
for Of remaining by the wreck. The
keen wind was evidently freshening
and boat considered too frail for the
ripple of river, could not be expect
eli to ride in safety upon the fast IN
creasing sw~ll. But it was necessary
that some should go, and as all with
out he station would have obeyeI a
command, the distinction was justly
claimed b. the most benevolent, or the
the most adventurous. The skill was
prepared and manned, and pushed off
rom the wreck, was cheefed Oh Its
mission BIZ the faint hazzas AMI heart
felt GOOD speep' Of those who.rem1ln-
ed behind.
III transcribing this part Of my jour
nal, my eyes overflow with the blre re-
me,nbrance of the sensations then eS-
perienc2.I. AS write M hand seems
to feel the "capable inpressure" OF the
grasp of a long departed friend, which
bespoke at once his confidence and his
fear-and from the inmost depths: of
my soul, swells up the emotion with
which l prayed that might perish ra-
ther than return unsuccessful.
The skif vas SO light, 50 frail, and
so difficult OF train, that we were every
moment i'll danger of upsetting. The
swell increased rapidly; and as we
sunk iato the trough OF the SCI and shut
olt the horizon, the succeeding wave
oversh adowed, and its crest seemed to
carl in anger above Us. Talnly clad
ana wet to the SKIN, moreover faint for
want of food and rest, as we rode upon
the tops Of the waves, we suffered bit
tery from the GOODNESS of the wiad.--
In the hollow Of the sea, we were shel-
tered one moment, only to suffer m ire
keenly the next. Oar oars were Of it,
tie service, save to steady Us in the
dreadful pitcl1in5s and careerln9s to
which we were every instant subjected.
Two managed the oars, one steerel,
and one necessarily bailed. There
could be no transfer of labor, for it was
death to attempt change Of position.
Although the current set along the
land, the wind ana the heave OF the
sea drove US indirectly towards t.
After six hours incessant fatigue,
cold, cramped and wearied to exhaus-
ton, we reached the near vicinity of
the shore, and running along it for a
short distance lin increased danger,
for we were broadside to the sea) we
made the mouth ola small harbor-in-
ito which, as our frames thrilled with
gratitude, we pulled with all our might.
AS the peace and the joys of Heav-
en- are to the wrangling and sorrows O.
this world, was the placid stiffness Of
that sheltered nook to- the fierce vino
and troubled sea without. The trans
it,on was as sudden asst was delight
full; and with uncovered head and up
turned gaze, each paid his tribute o.
thankfulness. We next thought of on
companions.
There was small schooner at an
Choir, which looked as if she might 81
unfortunately used for traffic, or 70
piracy. There were several fishing
boats hauled up on the beach and ;
number of fishermen employed in dry
ing and mending their nets. A shor
distance from the shore, about dozel
huts were scattered along the banks G
the stream which emptied into the littl
bay. It was a place heretofore un
known to us, and we had every reaso
to believe it to be one of those haunt
from whence the pirates issue SO sud
denly to commit their Expectations
/ Conscious that in such an event lmme
diate death awaited US if our true char
| acter were known, we prepared our sto
ry, and boldly landed on the beach,
We were Immediately surrounded b
as swarthy and cut-throat a lookln
rang as | ever saw, who unceremon1
eusiy hurried US into a palperla, t
, question us.
. The first glance round the room int
which we were ushered, confirmed OF
worst suspicious. Beside kegs an
) bottles of various liquor, and drln'tln
glasses and segars, there were fabrlcs
: Of European manufacture, and wearin
apparel of every grade Of society, fro'
!, the ship-boy to the fashionable lad,
: hung on pegs, or lay in tumo.ed heap
apon the shelves. There were bonnie
anil shawls and hats, parasols and fan
= boots, swords, pistols, hlniSerchief
: and watches. The plumber of many
i vessel, the murder Of many fellow
! creature, had contributed to the varie
i of that assortment.
: The officer who had commanded
had directed that We should watch hlr