The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-11

a New England whalc-ship ioundcrcd
in gale some years ago, in the Pacific
ocean. Her crew took To the boats: and,
after following for several days aud nights,
two of the boats came in sight of an is.
land. One OF them was run through the
sur, and the crew jumped Oh shore, max.
Ing to the natives, To express their dcs,i-
tutc condition.
But no pity dwclt in those SAVAGE
breasts. Rushing upon the exhausted sea.
men with their clubs, they instantly killed
them, and made preparation To feast upon
their bodies, for they were cannibals. Sec
ing the fate OF their companions, the other
boats crew pulled hastily away from that
dreadful spot and, after almost Incredible
suitcrings, were picked up by friendly
vessel ani saved.
Some years passed, and another ship
was wrecked in the same seas and near
the same island. Her commander had
been second mate Of the former shin, and
was saved with the boats crew which wit.
messed the destruction OF their shipmates
by the cannibals. Again he approached
the island, wrecked mariner, and re-
duccd by hunger and exhaustion TO nm
emaciated state.
lie recognized the fatal shore aud told
his companions OF the cannibals who dwelt
beyond it. But they were too weak to pu,
out to sea again. To do so was TO die.
They could but die il they landed; and
perhaps the savages might be merciiul.
Perccying none ofthc natives they hauled
their boat up on the beach and sought the
shelter Of the adjoining woods, in the hope
OF finding fruits or berries for subsistence.
But, once in the woods, their fears in
creased.
They moved stcalthily along alarmed
at the cracking of the dry bushes beneath
their feet and at the rustling of the
leaves. Death seemed to speak in every
sound, and to lccr upon them at every
opening glade OF the forest. Cold sweais
gathered on their sunburnt brows; and
more than once they halted, and consult.
cd on the propriety OF returning to the
boat, but as often they resolved TO al
vance, especially as they found themselves
ascending wooded bill, which they
hoped might furnish them with nook or
cave in which to hide.
Thus trembling they proceeded. They
the bill which was bold and
rocky. The foremost of the party ven
turcd from the shelter of the trees to view
the island. Cautiously he stole, step by
step, to the mountains brow until his eve
caught sight OF the village below. Then,
he literally sprang into the AIR, clapped
his hands and shouted, "Sdtc! SAFE.
SAFEw "What is the matter,'' asked
his companions, who thought MIN crazy.
ave are safe, | tell YOU, we are safe ~
pointing to the village on the plain be-
low. Looking down, the now joyful sea-
men behell church lifting is modest
front above the huts of the natives. Then
they shared in the transports of their com.
panion. They lcapcI, they wept, they
embraced. They knew by that church
that the missionary was there. They
knew that where he lived and laboIcd,
cannibaism must be dead. They accord
ingly descended to the plain, and found.
instead OF cruel death, the u,inos, kind
ncss, perfect security, and a generous hos
pitality. Had those wrecked mariners
been sccptics or iniidcls, would they have
needed any further proof Of the human
King aud rcnoyating power OF the gospel,
or Of the utility of missions life Scenes
from Mission Fields.