Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-03-12
Remarkable Escane.

Remarkable Escape.
From the proof-sheets of the "Life of
Samuel Lewis" by his son, Prof. w. G.
W. Lewis, we take the following, found in
chapter second of the volume. This work
will be from the press cary in February,
and will make duodecimo of $50 pages
price, $l.25.
Samuel Lewis, sen., was the captain Of a
coasting vessel, and in the performance of
his regular trips from Maine to- the Caroinas
and the West Indies, was necessarily abroad
great portion of his time. o: course his
influence was much less felt in the formation
of his sons character. But those who knew
familiarly both father and son, could detect
a strong resemblance in the industry, the
fearlessness, the devotedness, the stern re-
solve, which characterized the latter to a
remarkable segree. When he was about
the age of eleven he accompanied his father
on his coasting voyages; and thus his time
was partially taken up Iii. the year 1913
One day, when he vessel was riding at
anchor, in Vineyard Sound, in sight o. crew
town Of Falmounth, the scapein AMI crew
left her in charge of the cabin boy. for ihi,
was young SamuePs position on board
While busiy engaged in the performance
of his customary duties, he approached the
side of the vessel, with his bucket, to draw
some water. AS he leaned over listlessly,
his thoughts wandering away to other scenes,
suddenly his feet slipped, his hands failed OF
their grasp, and he fell into the sea. There
was no one in the vesaelto aid him in es-
Gaping from the water, and he was too far
from the land to sxim tn; tber, unless he had
been an expert, and up to this time he had
never learned the art Of swimming at all.
AS soon as the first few moments of surprise
were over, he looked eagerly around him
for some means OF escape. No rope, or
chain, o. other means Of ascending to the
deck of the ship was within his reach. The
fore chains hung in their usual place, but
some distance above the water. For the
first time in his lie, lie swan, making his
way around the vessel as well as he was
able, and scanning every part within his
reach Finding no other resource, he
struggled back to the fore-chains, and at
tempted TO Law hold Of them, leaping upward
as lar as he could. Failing entirely in the
attempt, he sJJn fell back, 50 much ex-
hausted as to give over the struggle.
sin few moments" we have heard him
say, u gave up, and stro'e to resign myself
to die. Ali the deeds Of my short l;ie Game
across nay mind; tried to pray, and to lie
quiet in the hands o my heavenly Fsthea.
Soon my mind began to revert to my faith
er's family, and, beyond all others upon
earth, to my mother. thought of her grief
and distress when my body should be swept
ashore, or all search for 1t abandoned. !
thought Of the agony OF suspense that would
torture her mind, till it was certain that
no longer lived. And Us seemed TO see
her tears and % listen to her sIghS, resolv-
ed to make still another effort for my life.
| swan again to the foIe-chains. catching
sight in my way of the fields and dwellings
OF nv native town. Armed with additional
resolution by such view, | prayed TO God,
earnestly as ever prayed in my life, to aid
me in my last trial. As | came up, OBJ
served that the warm sun had sof.enei in a
slight degree the pitchy seams in the SIDES.
Into these seams fastened my mai :, and,
raising myself as far as possible out of the
water, made one bold leap, caught the
chains, and was soon on the deck. But as
| turned and looked down upon the water,
where had so lately awaited death, was
mortified al the sight of monStrous shark,
lashing the waves in disappointment as he
turned away from the vessel. fell ufon
nv knees in momen;, and returned thanks
10 God who had So wonderfully spared me
/ from death far more dreadful than The one
| Iihad before expected"
The lie off cabin boy. on board of u
New England schooner, was not very full
OF incidents that uo III be Interesting to
strangers. 1t need only be added, that
while he remained upon the sea, he PRE-
served his early faith. And as he visited
home from time TO time, those interested IN
his religious career were rejoiced To find
him true to his early vows. His prayers IN
the social meeting are still remembered by
the associates Of his youth, who admired
the boy for his ardent pieiy and unshrinking
devotion to his profession.
But u change was at hand, which was TO
remove him from ell these scenes; and en-
ploymenls, and introduce him to different
pursuits, and higher objects, and severer
labors. About the year 1898, Captain
Lewis was the commander, and owner in
part, Of a brig laden with sugar and salt
from one Of the West India islands, and
bound for Washington, North Carolina.-
Soon after he sailed, he was taken with The
yellow fever; and before his recovery so as
to resume his command, several of his men
were seized with the same disorder. Eigh-
teen days after he lett rt,nearly every one
of his crew was s.eepingin Il watery grave.
All that remained was olack boy, twelve
years old, together with the mate, who con-
tinued, after his attack, totally help
unable even to turn in his berth, and indeed
died the third day after they landed.
Under these awfully distressing circum.
stances, Captain Lewis undertook the :asl
Of navigating his vessel into port. Hi