The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-06-20

do this cruel thing? What right have
you to commit a murder! How will
YOU answer to that great Giver of all
Good for thise Where is your author
typ
.He who sheddeth mans blood, by
man shall his blood be she'd" respond
ed a harsh solemn voice. and the crowd
turning saw, where torch waved over
a stern unfeeling face, the countenance
of their preacher! Itwas a time when
the gathered feeling checked by some
great obstacle pauses in its rash career,
and, for moment there seems doubt
which way the tide will fow- The
awful passage so solemnly quoted, fell
on the crowd at that moment, when the
slightest word would have turned them
from their purpose, and stimulated as it
seemed to them by a command from
Heaven, they once more seized their
trembling captive, when the old cap
tain whom w. had importuned for a
passage, claimed to be heard.
Comrades" said he, esquire B
thinks we hadn't ought to hang this
fellow. Well, I'll tell you what We'll
do. He wanted to sail with me this
day. He shall do SO. Well take him
outside the bay-tie him in an open
boat and set him adrift. Then the Lord
have mercy upon him. What say youf
A shout of appreciation was the re-
sponse, and they hurried W to the
shore. In the mean time the storm
grew loud, and when in the dark night,
their torches beaten out by wind and
rain, the great crowd heard the angry
waves dashing over the rude pier, their
courage failed, and seven only were
ready for the enterprise. Clambering
upon deck, with the victim in their
midst, the cables were cut and the little
bark like frightened bird flew TO sea.
Perhaps no scene ever painted itself
on the canvass of real life so startling
weird and strange as this. While the
stout-hearted skipper steered the bark,
the convict, assisted by four of his COM
panions, tied w. to the open boat, and
the preacher kneeling on the deck,
was heard between the pauses of the
thunder. far above waves and wind,
calling upon Heaven to bless their un-
holy act.
The open lake was gained. and the
wretched man, regardless of his entrea-
ties and screams, was given to the
foaming waters. In glare of light
ming that was followed by a deafening
peal Of thunder, they saw their victim
rise upon huge wave and plunge
into darkness and death beyond.
!. Short time had the executicners to
dwell upon their ruthless deed. Their
lives were in jeopardy. A storm so
violent has seldom been equalled. and
the little craft was worked, save by the
skipper, by unskilful hands. Desper-
ate efforts were made to regain the
bay, but the entrance was narrow and
intricate, while commands grossly mis-
understood were promptly executed,
so that the bark ran upon a ledge of
rocks and quickly went to pieces. Two
only of its strange crew were saved
the clergyman and the convict to-
gether reached the shore.
Some three years after these strange
events, the Rev. Mr.. H awaken
ed one night by request to come i'm
mediately and administer religious con-
ISOLATION to prisoner. who in attempt
ing to escape from Jail had been NOR
tally wounded by the sentinel on duty !;
and the gentlemen, folding his cloak
about him, and accompanied by the
jailor. threaded his way through snow
and sleet to the prison.
They found the prisoner writhing in
pain upon his bed in the gloomy cell,
lit by a dim candle, and alone, for
the surgeon had pronounced his case
hopeless.
"You've come at lastw he growled,
as the clergyman, approaching his bed,
took out from beneath his cloak book,
and began the duties pertaining to his
sacred mission. "You've come at last;
thought I'd 60 down before you got
here"
"May you be spared for repentance;
let us lose no time"
"No you don't! Pm bound to go
downtown. Don't be fooling | didn't
send for you for that"
The sands Of life are running fast.
In few moments you will be in the
presence Of your judge, and repent
ance then will be of no avail"
at will not avail me now" said the
criminal.
GThink Of your past life-think Of
the punishment that is to followm
The answer to this was a fractic roar
Of laughter, that made even the jailors
blood tingle with alarm.
aIwill not remain, said Mr.. H
sternly, "and bear this awful mockeTy.
warn YOU now-bewarem
aWell listen, then-don't you know
ne ~
The clergyman held the candle to
the convictss face, and started with
"Oh! you know me, do yous You
the night we tossed W.
overheard how he prayed! Oh, no!
look to yourselfm
~ did my dutyn
aAh, hal you did, did yous You