Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-31

God woud deliver us, but said in our hearts,
"all men are liars With repressed ex-
peclation aud patience OF desire we resumed
our watery beds under the sail, when sud.
denly a sea more terrible than any we had
yet encountered, leaped over US, threaten
ing to carry away every thing with II. The
captain, who, completely exhausted aud fill
ed with bruises, had for the first time given
himself TO seek repose, now sprang TO his
feet, and shouting to us 10 "hoLd on and
creep TO the ~pindDard," went TO the helm
and found that the men al the wheel, sup
posing he could bring the ship TO bear to-
wards the craft which was in sight, had
changed The ship, so that the lee side came
10 The heather side, aud instant destruction
seemed inevitable. To draw us from our
p%erilous position, and bind US to the bull
warks, was the last aud terrible alternative.
A sheet OF water, like an avalanche, shed
its wild and tempestuous fury on our de-
fenceless heads, while the deck beneath us
was being lifted by the pillows below
Should that give way, no footing could be
obtained. The captain looked Forwards
small sail, partly reefed, remained on the
forecasile. He thought the motion Of the
ship might be allayed by changing il. and
ordered the men forward, but they stirred
not. What! Did they refuse 10 ackuowl-
edge their captaini No, but a dark grave
OF waters lay between. Looking at each
other with blanched cheek and lip, they
spoke not. Tears gushed from the eyes
of the first mate. Springing forward, he
shouted, Come on, boys, oOme-PH lead
the way" Quickly they leaped after him
splash after splash was heard-and-the
forecastle vas gained This effort, howev.
ever, ayailed nothing. TO watch, incessani-
ly, the heaying aud shifting ofa sail in sight.
and 10 spring and guard u occasionally
from ON more tremendous billow, or tie
an additional knot TO the ropes which sus.
tanned us, formed now their pas,ime aud
employment, while poor sieerage passen-
ger, the only survivor out Of thirty-sir, sta
toned himself aft 10 display a table-cloth he
had found, as a signal Of distress.
But the sun rose and set. The brig was
not, apparently, much nearer than in the
morning. Our exhausted strength made il
impossible for US to hope OF being able TO
sustain ourselves in our present position
during the night. The first mate. ever
ready in devising expedients. said he would
see what he could do. The moon aud
stars were already out,-the long swelling
waves indicated that the storm was over
Siraining eyes once more bent toward the
quarter Whence the brig was last seen--i,
was nowhere visible. Slow m%urnurings oil
discomfort were scarcely uttered, when Oat
star, more beauteous than The rest, seemed
descending. IL shone from the main rig
cling Of that little brig. 1t was the sigma
Of our deliverance, and like the bow in The
cloud, gave token Of a goodly morrow.
Lightly and cheerily were preparations
commenced for the night. With a sal
thrown over the boom which lay across tho
bulwarks, the eyelets in the edge being
threaded with ropes and tied fast TO The
windward rail, we were seated upon ii. will
our heads leaning back against the boon
toward the leeward. The sensation wa
most uncomfortable, having the impression
that we should be tossed over or dragged
under by the force OF the waves washin,
over the ship. Soon, however, being accus
toned to our new situation, we fell asleep
securely and peacefully as the infant rest
upon the bosom Of its mother. Ever an
mon the silence OF the night was o.>ken b
the low.toned question, lsshe nearing usi
And the faithful Waterman answered stead
lily, "she's holding on-shc'll take US of i
the morning"
Early in the morning were earnest gazer
gathered at the ships side. The brig WI
nearing US. Once more and for the la'
time, the mate descended the cabin, and rt
turned, bringing a demijohn and wine glass
Weak hands and parcbed lips took their a
lowance Of one glass with quiet gratitude
The memory of that scene will not 500
pass. away. A small bottle Of whisky, re-
cued from the medicine store Of one of III
passengers. had greatly tended TO alleyiat
the feverishness occasioned by our suifel
ings, applying ii very sparingly TO our lip
and again dischnrging il.
Now we gathered strength TO be lifted
the ships side. Leaning against the ra
we watched the little craft which was steaI
: Easily bearing towards us. Every sail WI
set. The ripple WINS seen at the prow-il
men on her stern. She swept like a falco
past us. Looks Of dismay were scarce d
: picted. ere Ship alloy p met our ear
+. Gracious God IL human deliverance
: so sweet, Dhat must thy salvatioa be =
Words of interchange were soon passe,
d and-the little boat was alongside. WI
e shall take the first risk Long swellir
waves lay between US. The sailors begi
TO swing over and creep down the ship
side, like spiders, when the captain cryiI
!, out, "lor shame, boys. for shame-let q
4 ladies go FIRST" with the assurance OF Il
briggs crew that they should be taken o
!, they held back, and we were let down in
y the boat. Strong and healthlly did 4
o oarsmen pull, till The voice OF their capita
lat the same time throwing a rope) order
Them to haul under QUICKLY
e quickly were the oars laid. The boat rea
e ed and toent under The stern. The bri
h being npon the crest Of a wave, came dos
u upon the side Of the boat with such VI
lence as to dash a piece out of her keel.
The men bad not time to regain th'
Is oars, but, rushing to the side nearest |
d brig, pushed with their hands and broug
|. the boat round. Many aud strong ar
were uplifed 10 aid us in scaling the brii
d side, and kindly were we conveyed 10 I
4 cabin. There stood a basket upon the