The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-27

from man was far off, and would have been
useless, if near ?" And they chcered and
encouraged one another to hope the best, but
to submit TO the decree of Heaven, whether
IT came as the gentle dew to nourish, or as
the heavy rain to oppress. From the hllock
! which overlooked the ocean ascended their
mingled prayers that God would not leave
them deSolatc.
The fisherman-the object of their hopes
and fears-had been very successful during
the night, when at daybreak, as he was pre-
pairing to return home, he remembered his
promise to bring with him some sea weed to
manure the potato plot behind his cottage. lie
was then close TO rocks which were only dis
cern'be at low water; he pulled for them,
jumped on shore, fastened the painter of his
boat to juttins part tf cliff, and took his
boa'-hook with him. lie collected a suiii :
clent quantity OF the weed. but in bis eager
ness to obtain it, had wondered from the
landing place, when he heard his hov loudly
halloong and excIaimins that the painter was
loose lie rushed instantly towards the boat,
which was then several yards oil the bov
was vaiEy endcavoring to use both the oars.
and Neptune. the faithful dog. was running
backward and forward, bowling .carfullv, as
If conscious of his masters danger. at one
moment about to plunge into the waves to
JOIN him, and the next licking the tsre and
hands of the cLl.d, as if he torcsaw that f,-
him his protection would be most needed
The fisherman perceived at once the des
Pcratc nature OF his situation the t,!e he
knew was coming in rapidly. and his hope of
escape was at an end, when he perceived tha,
his boy, IN an effort to use the oars, had let
one OF them IA overheard. Father faith.
er. exclaimed the poor lad, " what shall |
do 1he boat was at this moment so Dis
t'nt that his distracted parent could scarcely
hear the words. but he called ont to him As
loud As he could to trust in God. the father
oi the fathcr!e>S. He then stood resigned 10
III" tate which awaited him. and watched the
drifting boat that bore the child in peril from
the fatal rocks. lie had offered up brief
prayer to the throne of mercy. when in an
instant light broke upon his mind. .t;ood
God :" he exclaimed, NAV vet BE saved "
With The energy Of hope battling with de-.
SPAR, he collected all the stones around him.
and hcaped thcn rapidly upon the l.i,hes Il
ied." Q! III" rock it was indeed wonderful,
how he cou!d have gathered 50 many in 50
short a time; bu: the Almighty gave strength
to lls arm. and he was .aboring not for life
merely. Int for beings still d,arrr 10 him -
The ti!c came on. on, or. arI soon oIii,.l
hum to abandon his work H. then mounted
the pile he had heapcI. planted his boat hook
hrm!v IN one OF tie rrevlces of the cliff, and
prepared to struggle for existence: bat his
hart failed him. when he considered how
>i'.ht was the possibility that the waters
would not Use above his head. Still. he de-.
t"rmlned TO do all he could 20 preserve life.
The waves were not rough, and the boa; hook
supported him.
The awful moment rapidly approached !;
the water bad reached his knees bu: he stood
firmly and PRAYED that he mi cht be prcserv-
ed On. on. on. it came slowly and gently,
hnt more trariully than if ii had RACED around
ITS destined prey soon it reached his wai>,
and he then prayed that it might 90 no hich.
cr. On. on, on, it came, and his shoulders
were covered; hope died within MIN. and he
thought of himself no longer but of those
who were so dear to him-his wife, his child
rem. and his father-it was for BLESSINGS on
them that he then imp!ored Heaven. Still
on. on. it came, and he was forced to raise his
head to keep as long as possible from death
reason was almost gone; his breath grew fee.
bic. his limbs chill he painted. and his prav.
"rs became almost gnr.ins murmurs Tl,
he7a rushed to his head his eyebatls glare,
as if they would start from their sock cts
He closed them with an effort, and though
for the last time on the home that would tt
soon so wretched =. Horrible images were be
fore hm-cach swell! of the wave seemed q,
If the fiends were forcing him downward. ant
the cry Of the .ea-bird was like their vell
over their victim. lie was caspins, choking
tor he had not strength to keep his head a
bove the waves; every moment they wer,
splashing upon him, and each convulsiv,
start that followed only aroused him to tn,
consciousness, if consciousness it would ht
called, that the next plunge would be hi
last.
Merclful powers. at that very moment
when the strength and spirit of man hat
left him, and the cold shudder of death haf
come on, he felt that the tide rose no higher
Ills eyes opened, closed, and fearful laugh
troubled the waters. They eddied in hi.
throat, and the bubbles floated around hi.
lips-but they rose no higher-that he knew
again and again his bosom heaved with q
deep sob, as he drew in bis breath. and gave
1t forth anew in agony. a minute had pass.
ed since the salt sea touched his lips this wa.
impossible if the tide still flowcd;-
he could reason so much. He opened bis
eyes, and family murmured forth, 90 God,
be merciful. '" The flow OF the ocean had in.
| decd ceased fLnra b., st;ll c4oal .,.@.:..I-..