Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-06-28

I
with despair, he collected all the stones
around him, and hcaped them rapidly upon
the highest ledge of rocks-it was indeed
wonderful how he could have gathered SO
many in 50 short a time, but the Almighty
gave strength to his arm, and he was labor
ing not for life merely, but for beings still
dearer to him. The tide came on, on. on,
and then obliged him to quit his work. He
then mounted the pile he had heaped, placed
the boat hook firmly in one of the crevlccs
of the cliff, and prepared to struggle for en-
istence but his heart failed him when he
considered how slight was the possibility
that ,e water would not rise above his head
Still he determined to do all he could to
preserve life. The waves were not rough
and the boat hook supported him. The
awful moment rapidly approached the
water reached his knees, but he stood firmly
and prayed that he might be preserved.
On, on, it came, slowly and gently, but
more fearfully than if it had ragged around
its destined prey; soon it reached his waist
and he prayed that it might go no higher.
On, on, on it came, and his shoulders we're
covered; hope died within him, and he
thought of himself no longer, but those who
we're SO dear to him--his wife, his children,
and his faher--it was for blessings on them
that he implored heaven. Still on, on, on
it came, and he was 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 painted aud his
prayer became almost gurgling murmurs.
The blood rushed to his head, his eye balls
elared as if they would start from their sock
cts. lie closed them with an effort, and
thought, for the last time on the home that
would soon be wretchedl Horrible images
were before him each swell of the wave
seemed as if the fends were forcing him
: downward, and the cry of the sea bird, was
like their yeIls over their victim. He was
gaspins, choking, for lie had no strength to
keep his head above the waters every mo-
ment 1t was splashing upon him, and each
convulsive start that followed, only aroused
HIM to the consciousness, if consciousness it
could be called, that the next plunge would
be his last.
Merciul powers lat the very moment
when the strength and spirit Of man had left
him, and the cold shudder of death had
come 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 noa,ed around his
lips-but they rose no hs her-that he knew
again and again his bosom heaved with "A
deep sob, and he drew in his breath, and
gave it forth in agony. A minute had pas
sed since the salt sea touched his lips this
was impossible if the tide still nOwed-he
l. I 1.
and family murmured FORTH o God be
merciful.' The flow of the ocean had
r indeed ceased there he stood motionless ;
but praying and weeping, thinking of his
beloved home, and hoping his place there
f nigh, not be forever vacant. The waters
in time subsidized, and he was enabled to
stretch his chilled limbs and then to warm
them by exercise. Soon the rock was left
f dry as before, and the fisherman knelt down
, upon that desolate spot among the blllows-
hid his face in his hands, and praised anc
blessed his Creator-hs Preserver.
Oh it was the well known bark of hi.
faithful dog he had heard above the waves
in another moment the creature was licking
his pale cheek. He was saved-he wa.
saved for his own boat had touched the
. shore, and his own boy was in lis arms
lie had been dri'led to the land, and hat
easily found those who had rowed hard fol-
the chance of saving his fathers life.
, Now homeward, homeward = he ex
claimed.
. "Homeward, homeward, echoed the child
and Neptune jumped and barked at thu
, welcome sound.
Q The fsherman's family were still suppl
i eating Providence, upon the hillock tina
e overlooked the deep, when the old maj
started from his knees, and exclaimed, "w
. are heard there is speck upon the dis,an
, waters"
"Where, where?" was echoed by the gron
| and he pointed out what he had hoped to b
the absent boat. They eagerly slra;ne
their eyes, but saw nothing in few mo
: ments, however, all perceived a sail it wa
: impossible to tell the direction in which IT
\, course lay.
i Then was the agony of suspense it con
y tinue, however, hut for short time, boa
!, . was evidently advancing towards the shore
= in few minutes they could clearly perceiv
u u a man at the bow waving his hat above HI
= head, and soon after the well known bark {
" Neptune was borne TO them by the breeze
The family rushed to the extremity of til
e rude pier, and the loud huzza of the fisher
q man was answered by the "welcome, wei
e come," of his father, and the almost inart
J. cuIate shank God" of his wife.
"a And now all was joy and happiness,
N cottage where there had been so niue
l. wretcl,edness the fishermen, his boy, an
J. his dog were safe from the perils of the gres
e deep but he would return no answer I
i questions, as to what had detained him S
long beyond the usual period of his return.
he swat, my wife," SAID he, "unliI we hav
'g dressed and refreshed our selves, and yo
" shall know all, but before VIC do either, |,
st us bless God for out of great danger hath h
preserved me-"
re Never was there more sincere or MOI
ie earnest prayer offered up to the Giver of a
is goodness, than assembled from that humb