The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-06-14

Twas now rapidly approaching the frig-
ate.
"FIiIlo!--hil-lo!' ! cried, waving my arm
above my head, % | rose on the crest Of q
wave.
had but an instant to watch the effect
Of nv cry, before ] vas submerged again.
But there was time enough to assure me
that had not been heard.
| noticed. with terrible misgivings, that
my voice was much weaker than i bad
been half an hour before. Was 30 soon
becoming exhausted At this rate, an
hour mere wo,.!d probably extinguish lie.
This idea filled me with alarm, and as
gained tho crest of the next billow, made
u desperate exertion TO shout both louder
and quicker.
Observation-Disclosures frantically
cried.
Twas still prolonging the sound when
the comb Of wave went over me, and half
blinded as well rs smothered, was tum-
bled headIong down into the trough Of the
sea, which I reached moro dead than n!ive.
/ was still so exhausted when rose on tho
next billow that could not speak.
With agony incxpressible now saw nv
self nearly abreast Of the frigatc. Anoth-
or descent, another mad whrl upward, and
| found her shooting from me. WAS now
almost delirious with despair.
.liillo!--ahoy!" ] cried. 'Oh! for the
love of God, hear me!n
| fancied ] saw n lookout turn toward
me. knew no must have heard me. lf
! could have rcmaincd Gu the top Of that
surge an instant longer his eye would have
fallen on INC; bnt the insntiatc gulf demand
cd mc. aud seized in the embraces Of the
piiiless waters, | was hurried downward 10
darkness and death.
When next rose to the light Of dnv, the
man-of.war was fast rccedng. was SO
utterly drcnchcd. 50 GREATNESS from being
nearly smoihcred, that could not raise nv
voice above that Of child, and hence fail
ed TO attract the attention ri the lookout
whom ! still saw gazing in search Of me.
May Heaven grant that none who read
these words may ever experience feelings
similar 10 mine nj that moment. In an
other instant had recovered nv voice, but
the frigatc was now out Of hearing.
Suddenly. just rs was giving way to
despair, saw in the distance large ship
driving before the gale, under n recicd
maintop sail and storm siny-sail. She
was heading directly toward me. This az
forded new CLEAN Of hope. III could but
arrest her attention. thought should be
rescued. forgo, that il would be first ne
cessary to throw her into the wind, and
that the risk Of her brosching-,o in this
manruvre would probably prevent her
paving my attention to my cries.
On she came. racing like some mad
courscr. vet riding the gigantic pillows
buoyanily % bird. Now half developed
in the driving fosm-now rolling her vast
yard-arms almost 10 the waier-now show
ing her keel rs far back rs the dripping
fore-chains. shc presented spectacle Of
the most terrible sublimiy The scene
around, too, added 10 the awful majesty Of
the picture. Just rs she arose on colos-
cal wave, in the trough Of which was bu-
ried in an immense distance beneath her,
a flash Of lightning blazed ncross her track.
while At the same instant. the clouds rolled
away behind her, rs il lifted by curtain,
and the sun burst forth 10 all his glory
Never shall forget the sight! The after
part Of the gallant ship was buried in the
crest Of the wave, which, beating over the
the quarter, few into the maintop ITSELF
Her fore part had ou,run the bi,low. aud
hung for second over the abyss. Then,
like a falcon stopping from iis height, she
swoopcd down into the gulf. the wild waters
roaring after her, like wolves in pursuit Of
their prey.
She was somewhat to lceward Of inc, hut
nevertheless ] shouted with all my might,
again and again.
Il was in vain. Her crew clincinc to
the rigging, were all engaged each in his
own preservation, and no moro noticed the
halEburied figure calling TO them, than they
observed the sea bird that. like an arant
courier. swept the billow before them. /
shouted, l shrieked, l waved my arm fran
tically over my head. But all 10 no pur-
pose. heard tho fierce hubbling Of the
waters - the mighty chip tore through
them close 1t hand; caught glimpse Of
tho pale and terrified faces Of the crow.
cleaning out in the angry light Of the set
ting sun: and then the vision passed. IT,
tsnic wave upbeaved between -, and ! was
alone.
Alone On the illimitabls orean! Alone
while night was drawing on! Alone with
no chance Of escape remaining! Far, far
10 leeward, just visible occasionally over
the distant surges. | saw nv own vessel;
but, except this, the horizon was nov with
out speck.
] burst into tears. The tension Of my
nerves had been unnstursl: they now gave