Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-20

tops, and the sun came smiling out, over val
ley and hill.
The stormy waters were, as yet, at too great
height to be yentured upon, and Atkins gave
il as his opinion, that very early on Monday
morning the river would be at the right level.
1t commenced falling rapidly, however, before
night and it wasssaid, that the pastors step
was more than once heard, during the still
night watches, crossing his chamber-fioor to
the window: but then-his mind might have
been troubled with thoughts of leaving desc
late his little flock.
Sabbath morning broke brightly upon the
world, and the sound of the church bell was
heard in the valley. Brother Atkins was seen
issuing from his door, and vending his way TO
the church. 1t must be confessed his face
wore an anxious looK as he neared it; for in
full sight lay the raft, chatting the shore, as if
impatient at the extraordinary delay. "a heap
of carpet bags and valises We're thrown togcth-
er in the centre, and knot of athletic fellows
stood near, in earnest conversation. 1t was
not an unprecedented thing, when sky and
water were favorable, to commence the voyage
on the holy Sabbath; and when Atkins saw
the group about to join him, he well under
stood their wishes and could only say to them
with ghastly smile, ssWell, boys, if you go.
it will be without me- There was general
cry of 'sNo, no." to this; but whate or might
have been the inward struggle, Atkins came
nobly through it, and proceeded to the little
church, and took his seat in the pulpit; but,
alas, so near, that he could not keep his eyes
from it, was still the picture of the noble raft,
and the broad, vigorous forms Of his old COM
radcs upon it. He arose and prayed, but there
lurked in the corner of his eye an irresistible
longing towards the river-and il would open
He read hymn, but still the temptation was
there. What was to be done He ran it all
over in his mind, and, with desperate effort,
formed his resolution.
The moment the voices Of the singers had
ceased, he arose, and commenced, in a start
ling tone, s.Boys!'' That wouldn't do; so
coughing little, and coloring a great deal.
he began again; ssMen and brethren. it. has
long been settled point with me- {by rsfer-
ence to the corn er Of his eye, he saw coats
thrown off, and the steering pole in the hands
of the steersman,) } but he continued, s:that we
don't improve Gods blessing enough
stAmen," was responded. At that moment
the bright CLEAN of a knife-blade caught his
eye, and an outstretched arm was actually
about to apply it to cut the rope, the very last
link which bound them to the land. IT was
too much Without waiting to explain, and
with mental ejaculation OF 'sTry me, oh
Lord, any way but in rafting fresh - he had
given one bound, over pulpit and altar, and
| was springing, as for life, over the green slope
Too late! too late! the,raft gliding into
the swift current-fiye, ten, fifteen feet of deep
water lay between it and the shore. Swing
| ing his brawny arms for impetus, with glori-
ous leap he reached the raft; and his de-
serted congregation had time to turn theil
wonder-stricken eyes from each other, shout
arose from the joyous raftsmen, that scared the
very owls on the pine-tipped mountains.