Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-04-25
fiterarp Selections.
From Talts Edinburgh Review.
THE SLAYER.

wearied senses had sunk after days of
anxious watching. I hurried on my
clothes, secured ny money and such of
my valuables as 1 could collect in the
pockets, and made my way on deck.
The ship was lying-to under a single
sail, but she now rolled heavily in the
trough of the sea, and no longer buoyantIy
surmounted each wave that rushed down
upon her. But that the sea in a great
measure had gone down, and her deck
must have been swept continually. The
fOremast had gone BY the board, dragging
with It the maintopmast; and the whole
fore part Of the vessel presented a scene
of irreparable wreck and destruction, that
bore fearful testimony to our long and
terrible battle with the elements.
But it was on the quarterback that the
most unequivocal signs of defeat pre-
sented themselves. Here were crowded
together the debris of our broken army.
In state of terror and confusion, the
only exceptions to which were the crew
Of the ship, who were steadily clearing
away the wreck that impeded their ope-
rations, getting out the boats, and passing
the necessary stores into them, in the
midst Of fainting and wailing women and
distracted men, rushing about in quest OF
some remnants Of their property which
they mightsav or harrassing the officers
and seaman in vain queries and suppl
cations.
The first boat was at length lowered.
and the women one by one placed in it.
In obedience TO the sacred law Of self
Preservation, 1 endeavored TO take the
last place vacant, but was thrust back
By brutal sailor. An obese old lady.
whose weight must have been far more
dangerous than mine TO the over-laden
boat, was lowered in, and It pushed off
from the sinking vessel. Another fol-
lowed, and I at last succeeded in obtain
ing a seat in the third. The boats were
almost instantly separated by the raging
waters, and of the other two 1 never
since received the slightest intelligence.
Alter two days Of unexampIed peril
and privation, We at lenght deserted q
small spot Of land. but surrounded by dan
gerous breakers. Already within a few
hundred yards ofsafety, our boat was sud
denly upset by a roller. and of all lis Hy
ing freight, alone reached terra frag
which, though practiced swimmer, haC
the utmost difficulty in accomplishing
And even in the moment Of deliverance
j doubted whether my lot was great,
improved by the change. I was now ol
a small rock, an outpost of the Florid
Reef. covered with white sand, and with
out a trace Of animal life or vegetation
on It's surface; while far as the eye coul
reach. nothing was 10 be seen around bu
the rolling Of the waves or the flying foar
OF the breakers.
1t may not be out Of place here TO Q
fer . few words Of explanation with re
spect TO the circumstances which ha
placed me in this forlorn position.
had been determined 10 send an able an
EXPERIENCED writer 10 visit the abodes
slavery, 10 search the inmost recesses
his darksome den, to bring his most seer
iniquities 10 light and 10 hold the monst
up IN al his deformity to universal ex
Grafton. The choice had fallen upon L
for I had ever been known as one Of i
most jealous in the cause, nor, tru
were my talents unequal 10 the nigh
task. But not 10 wander further fro
my subject, I was on my way TO Ne
Orleans when ny course was arrested
Ehis disastrous event.
For three days more I remained
the rcek subsisting On the shell-fsh II
Chung On is sides, and the brackish wal
thai yelled sp from its sands. AT Ia
as awOke one moon-it night, from I
refreshing sIumber, 1 was oyerioYed
the slght Of vessel heading towards ]
inhospi1able dwelHng-place. As she ca
nearer, / perceived that her course m
carry her past the rock al the distance
nearly halt mile. Ihad no means of
tracing attention In that imperfect lie
and rather than lose this chance of
lease, / determined to entrust myself
the mercy Of the waves and the shark
an attempt to intercept her. I aeoc
ingly swan out 70 a point that scenes
he nearly IN her course, and awaited
approach. The vessel soon came 1
enough for me to discern her distingu
: ingeharacteristies. 1t was a small schos
andeE full sal, and apparently very ST
! sns loF7 dark hull seemed scarcely Il