The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-11-13
BLoOMsBURG. COLUMBIA COUNTY. PA. THURSDAY No

of the famshed birds did not tend much to
enliven the soitaiiness of the shore.
M. Cremasy at length beganto get unea-
sy about the condition of his wardrobe.
How could he manage TO cover himself, he
asked, when his shirt and trowsers were
worn TO tatters. The necessity of the case
suggested an expedient. He manufactured
kind of cloth out of the thread-like sub
stance of the interior of the palm, which he
wove together as well as he was able. 1t
was not first-rate production, but it served
al all events to preserve the sun from scor-
ching, and the night air from chilling him,
and then he had the ineffable satisfaction Of
admiring his own handiwork. He managed
also 10 fabricate pair of sandals out Of the
ropy bark of the cocoa nut tree.
In this primitive costume he determined
upon examining the island thoroughly, The
task was not difficult, for Providence IS pu'-
little more than two leagues in circumfer-
ence, and the surface is level. About one
third Of it, the part of ii that lies 10 the
windward, is covered with forest OF cocoa
nuts.-The currents and prevailing winds
have cast innumerable seeds on the eastern
shore, where they have germinated, taken
root, and in the lapse of ages created the
forest we spoke of.
The remainder of the island is merely
sandy plain, with stunted shrubs scattered
hele and there; but little grass, and where
there is, course in touch and salt in TASTE. A
more desolate spot altogether can hardly be
imagined and here il seemed probable that
M Cremasy was destined 10 end his days.
Deliverance came, however, when least ex-
pected.
He was one evening returning 10 his e.
ioup in pensive mood, absorbed in thoughts
of the home he feared he should never re.
visit, when as he stopped to gather some
shell fish for his slipper, he fancied that
something like the sail of ship gliltered on
the horizon in the rays of the setting sun.
He had seen so often deceived by the clouds
which assumed the same form, that he was
afraid TO trust TO his first impression. He
watched the object steadily, and noticed that
whilst the aspect of everything else chang
ed, this alone preserved its first appearance,
and moreover, that it was nearing the island.
He could no longer doubt that 1t was ship.
His heart ben: high between fear and hope
Was it his own vessel or stranger Should
he at once light the beacon, at the risk of
rapidly and perhaps uselessly consuming
what il had given SO much trouble TO col
lect
But the sail grew closer. He resolved to
take his chance, and the moment IT became
dark enough for his purpose, he set fire 10
The pile. A pyramid of flame shot up into
the sky, and minute afterwards the report
of gun assured him that the signal had
beel seen.
lie listened intently, and the next sound
that reached his ears was the noise of the
oars in the row locks, as with measured
beat they urged the boat ashore. The keel
grated on the rocky bottom but he had al
ready hailed the crew, and in the joyous an
swer that foated over the breeze, he heard
his own language and recognized the voices
of his shipmates.
The vessel in the offing was his own, and
the mate had come back TO look for him.
Carried away by the violent currents, water
and provisions failing, the folmer had been
obliged to make for Anjouan near Magnetic,
TO victual the ship; he then returned in
search of his captain.
The exile wrote the history of his thirty
two days. Imprisonment, and placed it in a
bottle which he hung on one OF the most
prominent trees on the coast. An English
vessel passing by few months since hap
pened TO send boat on shore for supply
OF cocoa nuts, and thus discovered the mar
rative. The sailors also found that the island
was overun with wild poultry; for when
M. Cremasy took leave of Providence, he
left behind him small stock, which multi
piled as he desired II was an offering Of
grateful remembrance for the mercy which
had spared him.
|