Democratic banner., 1846-04-11

"a light broke across his mind. "GreatG God"
he exclaimed, may yet be saved" With
the energy of hope battling with despair, he
collected all the stones around nm ana
heaped them rapidly upon a high ledge OF
rocks-it was indeed wonderful how he
could have gathered SO many in 50 short .
time, bat the Almighty gave him strength,
and he was laboring not for life alone, but
for being, still dearer to him. The tide came
on, on, on, and soon obliged him to quit his
work. He then mounted d pile he had heap
ed, planted the boathook firmly in one oftl'e
c~revice, of the cliff, and prepared to strug-
gle for existence; but heart failed him, when
he considered how slight the possibility thai
THE water wouh not rise above his head
Still he determined to do all he could to
preserve life. Tho waves were not rought
and the boat-hook supported him.
The awful moment rapidly approached
tire water reached his knees, hut he stood
firmly and prayed that he might be preserv-
led. On, on, on, it came, and his shoulders
we're covered; hope died within him, he
thought of himself no longer, but those VIII"
wer. SO dear to him-his wife, his children,
and his father-it was for blessings on them
that he had implored Heaven. Still on, on,
on, it came, and he was forced to raise his
head to keep as long as possible from death;
Ibis reason vas almost gone, his breath grew
feeble; his limbs chilled; he painted, and his
PRAYERS became gurgl;ne The
blood rushed to his head-hs eye-bais
glared a, if they would Start from their
Sockets. He closed them with an effort,
and thought for the last time on the home
that would soon be wretched! Horrible
Images were before him-each swell OF tho
waves seemed as though the hends were
forcing llhn downward, and the cry OF the
lsea-bird Wa, like their yell over their VIC
tim. lie was gssping, choking, for he had
no strength to keep his Tread above the va
ter; every moment it was splashng upon
him, and each convulsive start that follow
led only aroused him to consciousness If
consciousness it could be called, that tbs
next plunge would lie his last.
Mercifnl powers. at tile very homer
when the strength and spirit OF man had
left him, and the cold shudGer o; death had
come on, he felt that the tide rose no high
err. His eyes opened, closed. and d fearful
laugh troubled the waters. They cddied in
his throat, and the bubbles foated around
his lips-but they rose no higher-that he
knew-again and again his bosom heavsd
, with a deep sob, AID he drew in his breath
and gave it forth in agony \ minute has
passed since the salt sea has touched his
lips; this was Impossible If the tide still
howed-he could reason SO much. He C.
pencd his eyes and family murmured forth,
s.Oh God be mercifulr, TIE flow Of the
ocean had indeed ceased; there lie stood
motionless; but praying and weeping
thinking of his beloved home, and hoping
that his place there might not be forever
vacant. The waters in a short time subsi-
ded, and he was enabled to stretch his chill
led limbs, and then warm item by exercise.
Soon the rock wasleft dry as before, and
! the fisherman knelt down upon that desolate
spot among the billows-his face in Lis
hands. praised and blessed his Creator, lis
Prcseryer,
Oh, it was the we'll known bark of his
faithful dog that he had heard ADORE the
waves; in another nomen the creature Was
licking his pale cheek. He was saved! he
W as saved. for his own boathad touched the
shore, and hi, own boy wash his arms
lie had been drifted to Tie land, and had
easily found those WHO had rcwed hard tor
the chance of saving his fathers life.
snow, homeward, homeward." he ex.
+ claimed. Hom,ward, homew ard.' echoed
the child, and Neptune jumped and barked
6 at he welcome sound.
!, The fsherman's family was still suppl
eating Providence upon the hiilock, that o.
vcrlookcd the deep, when the old man star
ted from his knees and exclaimed, "we ars
heard! there is n speck upon the distant wa
, tiers"
"Wherc, Where?' echoed the group, and
t he pointed out what he hoped to be the alb
( sent boat. They eagerly strained their
eyes, but could see nothing; in a few mo.
e lment,, however all perceived a saiI;-stiu
e it was impossible to tell the direction III
which its course lay.
! Then was the agony Of SUSPENSE; it con-
ltinued, however, but a short time! a boat
n was evidently advancing tow ards the shore;
in a few minutes, they could clearly per-
l., ~ceive a man at the bow, waving his hat a.
, lboye his head. and soon after the well known