The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-01-21

""u '"'', heu'eu sihhiI lamp, and tax
ing up well worn Bible, began reading
1T, when the FAINT distant gloom of u can,
non caused him to start up and look from
the door of his hut. The thick darkness
OF the clouds had Increased, and the roll of
tiundcr came distinctly from the murkv
horizon, while the sea Dashed and foamed
amongst he rocks, throwing all around
siekIy ptoSpho'ic glare tina, caused the
night To look more horrible.
1t was certainly signal of distress
said The Hermit aud stii, how can aid
them ! TIE fearful masses Of rock aud
shoals Which snrround this lonely isle
would only lead 10 their destruction, and
not even 'ont could live in such
storm
Stra'ning his eyes in the direction from
"hcrc tie sound had come, he beh.I u
vivid flesh of ligh', which was followed
agH'n ty ihc nearer report OF a cannon.
Heaven help them ! ho exclaimed,
they are drifting fast upon the rocks. |
vii venture il. h. added, 'ar.l trust Ia the
D>p"scr IT events What lhc result ,uay
be-. 50 saving he hurried to "a small pen
al 'hc side of his bur, and dragging forth
q Iuao;,'y ot wood and some empty tar
barrels, conveyed them 10 place, where,
,c'm" from the operation # Ih" hurricane
they ""nii hc ilOdled with ease and seen
by IA" ships crew.
As he flames ''ickcled mp. two guns
a, charged in rapid Succession were heard
and -" Inn assurance that lis sigud
Mas seen nd answered. His hopes how
rakl". sudden turn whiIleA The fire
about IN all directions and catching hold
ofthr tar barrels. bew them from the hi
side into tie sea, where. after floating
haz'ng tor "a While upon the waters, they
were eStinguished hy The breakers. -
Again the signals OF distress we're heard,
but thinking all aid TO be in vain, the
Hermit, with melancholy thong sought
the shelter of his rude hut once more
Three homs passed in anxious solitude
The Signals 0G the distressed crew were no
longer heard, aud the hermit anticipated
the worst, whom Ills dog, again uuering u
dismal houi aud crouching close To the
door began 10 scratch ~ it, rs # wishing
to get out.
Snatchjng up firehrand, the Hermit
opened the door, aud following the dos he
bounded speedily onwards, reaching a
small bay at the eastern end Of the island
a faint shout sounded in the Hermit ear
as hc tiouriShed his tirebrand on high,
aud heartily did be retum the hail, as hi,
dog, barking fuiou,Iy, dart.l towards a
dark o. jcct lyiog on the beach. A fain,
groan "as heard; and hurryiug forward,
the Hermit tshcld young man almost
insersiLIe, stretched amongst n quantity
ofsea.wccd and wreck Raising him cen
tly, the Hermit spoke kindly to him, but
the youth WAS too feeble TO reply. Sup
porting Lin with the utmost care, lie led
him TO his hut. aud placing him beside
The lire, administered some warm drink,
which til" youth Swallowed eagerly, and
seemed To revive after il.
You have had narrow escape, nv
Young friend said the Hermit. i trust
your companions have also escaped !
Most likely answered the youth
We observed "A light on one Of The islands
and hoped, 10y getting to leeward OF it we
would weather out the gale a heavy sea
however, swept tie decks, and washed
overheard
You are young to be engaged i'll sea
farisg hie,' remarked the Hermit, as he
looked OF tho fair and amos, girlish face
Of the boy. 0....
ham not a sailor rejoined the youth,
smiling j was passenger bound for
Cuba
For Cuba = said the Hermit, as he
started back For Cubal'
Yes. Nv Llher, who died some wears
ago. left me some property there said the
youth.
The Hermit scanned his face eagerly,
and mu'tering to himself No no; the
idea IS folly Then addressing the youth
he said, You will require rcst, in .he
morning We viii armuge yoa hon you are
10 act
Thanking him for his attention, the
Young man retired TO rest, while the Her.
nit, spreading some dried heath and fern
on the floor, fang lmseIfupon il. Night
was far advanced, when the young man
WAS awakened by deep and bitter groans.
lie arose yhd by the light OF the fire be.
held Abe Hermil struggling violently in
h;s sIscp.
She ;sgully,' he murrnursd, nor heav
Dsa n,sf esf,A can deny it. have acted
s;siss M indeed. aud no one dare nc.
cuse me-
Rising gently. the youth went towards
him aud shook him, when, springipg To
his feet, his eyebaIls glaring With terror,
the Hcrni, stood rooted TO the spot, ga,
zing on him.
'Parlpn ne, said the young man re-
spectfuliy, you seemed troubled Ia your
sleep
,Thanks,' rsplied the Hermit, thanks.
Yet Lam often ,has have disturbed
yopr rest With my foeIish DREAMS. Twas
onlyH uight mare. Good night
so SAVING he composed himself again
to sleep. a.
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