The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-11-30
they onl y piled their oars more vigorous
ly, aud were soon out of hearing.

| y, auu "cTc soon out OF nearing. q.
Looking round he saw another boat
just pulling out, and feeling that il he did
not succeed in gaining a passage in her,
he should fail of attaining the object for
which he had made such efforts, he used
al the means in his power to attract the
attention of the boatmen and induce them
to return. 1t soon became evident that
they had notice. him, and seemed deba-
ting whether they should return or not.
lie at length had the satisfaction of see
ing them pull 70. the shore. As they ap-
preached, it struck him that he had never
seen five such desperate looking ruifians.
After some objection on their part, thew
told him to get in. He had not long done
so before he found that he was in most
undesirable company. They began whis-
pcrng together, and the few words he
caught, showed him that he was in ex.
ireme peril. lie then perceived that they
were steering in the opposite direction to
that in which he wished to go. lie spoke
to them of this, when one Of the number,
an lriShman, openly an resoIuteIy avow-
eel their design Of numbering him. They
all then set up loud shout in confrma-
ton of their purpose, as though to urge
| one another on 10 the deed.
From their h rid oaths and avowcd in
tentions he now found that they took him
for spy in the preventive service, and he
perceived some kegs ofspirits covered with
straw in the bottom Of the boat. 1t was
III vain he assured them that they were
mistaken in their suspicious; they only re-
newed the imprecation, he ceased and be-
gan To speak with them of God, Judge
m"ut, and eternity. After speaking in
this strain for some little while, he obser-
we'd the cOuntenancc of one of tharaine OF
anothci Still they did not alter the boar S
conrsc, but continued steadily rowing in the
wrong direction.
lie then addressed each one scparately
and this with so much evident sincerity
anb feeling that The captrin OF the crew
cried out u say, can't stand this.
: don't believe he is the man &c took him
: for. We must let him go. Where dc
o YOU want to be put out, sir''
: Tcc traveller replied that he wanted tC
t be taken up the Avon as far as Bristol
! The man said that they could not go s.
/ Ear rs that, as they dared not pass Pill
l. but that they would take him as far a
\ possible, and put him in way TO cor
l. tnuc his journey by the shortest route
r, lie thanked them, and begged them
., make the utmost speed, for his bushes
'e was urgent. Finding them so subdue
pit he spoke to. them Of their sinful lives, an
IN pointed them to Christ as their Saviou
Sc They all appeared impressed by his stat
nS meuts and conduct, and not onI y refuse
OF to receive what he had stipulated to pa
IN a, fare. but offered to forward keg
OF, spirits to any place he would mention
~" an offer which was of course declined
On landing, one Of the men accompain
'N' him TO a farmhouse, and induced t
''h occupant to drive him to Bristol.
"N by these means succeeded in reachl
'I' his journeys end at an early hour, a
'"' in gaining possession Of the greater p
'"' Of his property.
'"e Even had the results Of this perilous b'
voyage stopped here, it would have
VI forled strong instance Of the blessir
u" which attend Christian fidelity and be
&c" ness, springing from sense OF &c
n.y. presence and access to him in prayer.
more remains to be told. Many ye
IS afterwards, on Mr.. BurcheIPs ret
'"s from Jamaica, he was at small Will
We" in the neighborhood Of Cheddar Z
when a man accosted him, he offered
'' hand, and appeared surprised that
an was not recognized. 1t proved to be
smuggler who had guided Mr.. Burchel
IS IN the farm. house. After some converse
west hc said, "Ah sir, after your talk
he Of us could follow that trade again
days have since learned to be carpenter,
the am doing very well in this village
ergy attend a chapel three or four miles o.
his And our poor captain never forgot to
o re- for you till his dying day. He was
y, Of an altered man, took his widowed mo
e de- to live with him, and became a
bv husband, good father, and good n.
go, Dor. Before, every one was afraid OF
'''.O' he was such desparate fellow; q
ior wards he was as tame as a lamb.
norm opened q little shop for the mainten
m, at OF his family; and, what was better
some held prayer meetipgsi in his bopse
As he other three men are now in msr'
astily vessel and are very steady aud wei
" but A"ved'" q
a