The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-01

beholding man thus suddenly thrown on
his raft, Caspars first impulse was to push
him of, lest the weight of two persons should
be more than it would bear But his better
feelings quickly banlshed the thought; and
when by The gray twilight he recognized his
detosted brother, he contented himself by
getting as far from him as possible. So sat
the pair, each at his own extremity of the
the door, which drove down stream with ter
rible speed.
Daylight brought little consolation TO the
house wrecked yoyagers. he clouds clear
ed away and the storm was stlled; but on
all sides vast expanse of troubled waters
strewcd with furniture, uprootcd trees and
rsr easses Of cattle, offered tselfto their view.
Boats dared not venture into the furious
current if ot times their door was borne
near the bank, the people who saw it were
either afraid, or too occupied with their own
losses 10 attempt the rescue of the brothers.
Scarcely minute passed that they were
not threatened with death, by the violent
contact of their crazy raft with floating tim
Der, or with the trees " hich seemed, since
the food, to grow in the bed of the stream.
To add 10 their mi>crcs the wind chopped
round 10 The north, and blew icy-cold through
their wet clothes Zcbulon took the blanket
which he had fastened round his neck, un-
folded and wrapped it around him. But
even with this covering, his teeth chatiercd
for cold.
In that hour Of suffering and great dan
ger, many good old saying about Christian
forgiveness and brotherly love came into
Zebulon's head, and pressed hard upon his
conscience. But, just as his heart began to
soften, he thought Of the pleasant view out
of his upper windows, which his brothers
house had intercepted; and ne thought of
his sister-in- law; and above all, the day of
Lizzy's wedding REQUIRED 10 lis memory
and then his heart became hardened as be-
fore.
Caspar was still more troubled in his con
science, and he muticrcd to himself one
prayer after another. The cold was intense.
and every moment he was more and more
benumbcd. Suddenly it occurred to him.
that just before he got into the boat, he had
put flask of spirits into his pocket in case
Of need. lie felt for it, and behold there it
was well corked and unbroke H. lie took a
famous pull at it, and his blood circulated
more freely, and his eyes sparklod. Al sight
of this, poor Zebuon's teeth chattcrcd more
than ever. Caspar perceived it, and quite
slowly, as though he counted his words, he
said to his broiber
"Zebulon, will You take a pull :"
The tailor's countenance frightened at the
offer lis need was 100 great, his stubborn
spirit was broken, and whispered "yes "
escaped from his set teeth Caspar crept
cautiously to the middle of the door, and
Zebulon as cautiously to meet him, for they
Jared not attempt TO stand up, lest they
should capsizc the .af. The one offered
the flask the other received it, and took a
deep drau2ht. But with returning warmth
their ancient spite revived. Zebulon gave
back the bottle, said, 81 thank YOU :" and
turned his back upon Caspar, to resume bis
place 1T the other end Of the door
For another hour the two men were hur-
ried along the san shone brightly, aud ma
lure calmcd herself after her recent convul
sion. Caspar, worn out by the ftgues OF
the last few days and nights, could not keen
himself awake, and his head nodded to and
fro. Zebulon saw his brothers danger, and
at this lime he spoke first " Caspar," he
said, " lie down and sleep, or YOU will drown
me; will keep watch, and awake you il
anything happens"
Caspar did not need to be told twice, but
let bimsclf fall forward, laid his head upon
his arms, and began to snore. Zebulon
crcpt softly towards him, took off tic ban.
ket, which was now dry, and laid it carefully
over his brother.
Another hour passed, and Zebulon per-
ceivcd that their progress became less ran.
ID. lie looked around him, and uttered an
exclamation Of heartfelt joy. They had
reached place where the stream took a
bend to the right, and BY some accident their
raft had got out of the main current and
was driving through calmer water to-
wards n black line, which looked like bank
When Zebuon had noticed all this, he a.
woke his brother. Caspar sat up and stretch
ed himself. 81 know the place." he said.
londer black line is dam in front of
which we shall find still water; if we can but
reach it, walk along It's summit will take
us 10 shore In their JOY at this prospect
OF dcliveIance, they to k another dram and
Caspar gave back the blanket to his broth
cr, and continued to watch the coarse of
their raft.
" How is it," he suddenly exclaimed that
we advance so fast, and our speed seems to
increase-if that be indeed Il dam 2"
lie rose to his feet, and shading his eyes
with his hands, looke'l sharply before him.
After gazing thus for few moments, his
counienance fell.
Now we are indeed lost" be said, in a
hollow voice. There is a break in the
dixie, and we are caught in the current that
sets toward the opening. DO yon see? we
swim each moment faster. Yonder foam the
furious watersi we shall drive against the
bank, aud our destruction is corlain."
Aud so it was. More swiftly Than any