The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-18

iouhucu, ioIoWeu Oy peal OF tnunucr so
long and loud that il seemed to strike terror
to the stoutest heart. That we had in pros.
poet a most awful night, there was not the
slightest doubt; the ferocity of tho gale
increased each minute; not foot of
canvass did our barque carry, save her
double-reefed fore and main sails; the
wheel doublo-manncd, aud both watches or
dcred to keep the deck.
Tho wind now howlod with all tho forocity
of q tornado, and the sea. lashcd into PER-
feet fury, rolled along our decks from stom
to stern, as 'twore threatening to engulph
us at every plunge; and, to increase the
terror of tho night, il was dark as Erobus,
so that it was impossible to doscry any of
the numerous vessels by which We know
that we were surrounded, or the rocks that
stud tho Firth, or even tho high, bluffy land
which, on either side of tho channel, re-.
strains tho waters within its limits Thus
slowly passed this terrible night, not one
thinking that wo could weather through
the gale, and each had his thoughts turned
upon those friends from whom, but few
hours previous, he had parted, with the
prospect of safe aud speedy voyage s.
storm, weathor-beaten mon-mon who per
haps had mover prayed since intancy-now
turned their faces towards tho bIackencd
sky,and with the simplicity of children, ,aske
tho Supreme Ruler to still tho raging tom
pest. and save them from watery grave.
Nothing save tho bowling of the tempest,
or tho occasional sound of tho Captains
voice through his trumpet, to Haul taut
tho braces = and Pump ship! !" was to be
heard each ono seemed to be communing
with himself and his God. At length, away
to the eastward, was espied long, bright
streak of light-'twas tho break of day-at
tho sight Of which each heart leaped and
bounded as though 'twould burst the bar
rers that restrained it, Those who have
never been placed in a similar situation, can
form not tho slightest idea of tho anxiety
with which wo watched tho widening of that
streak of light !; and when, at length, the
light had overcome tho darkness, and we
found that our barque had nobly held her
way during that awful night, and far away
on either side, tho land could be seen, tow
ering up to prccpi;Ous heights, many
eyos and hearts were turned upwards, with
ovcrHowing gratitude to the Almighty, for
His protecting mercy during the raging OF
the tempest, in tho dark, black hours OF the
past night.
CHAPTER lII.-THE WRECK.
settled down into gentle uudulations, while
tho Sun shone out the more brightly aftor
tho previous storm; and. having onco Oh.
tanned pilot, we crowded on all sail, and
soon rounded John O. Groats Island, anc
Immediately found ourselves bounding
across the broad Atlantic at eight knot!
an hour
Fair winds and pleasant weather favored
us during our passage across the Atlantic
with nothing to vary the usual monOtony OF
a life at sea, with tho exception of sal
heaving in sight, tho learing and plunging
of tho porpoise, or tho blowing of tho whale
all else was tho usual routine of duty, and
the spinning of yarns connected with former
scenes and voyages. So passed somo ten
days, and we found ourselves upon the
Banks of Newfoundland. In crossing these
Banks, we had the usual accompaniments-
fnuc onltno rolnc and i1nhapuS but nft
bulietng about for five or six days, We
reached tho Gulf, where we lay becalmed
for two days, off Cape Ray. towards
evening, on the second day, heavy fog OBJ
scured everything from view. Indeed, sc
intense was it, that it was next to impossible
to soc the nearest object but, as tho morn
ing began to approach, a light breeze sprang
up, and, as daylight advanced, the fog begar
to disperse, and again the anchor wa'
weighed, the canvass spread, and the barqut
bounding through tho waters of the Gulf.
Although the fog was considerably les
sened, it was still so thick that an object a
a distance of few yards, was almost entirel
invisible; yet sail after sail was uufured t.
the breeze, until our gallant little barqu
fairly groaned and trembled boneath it
weight. According to our calculation, W
had reached the Island of Anticosti, and, a
wo thought, were making rapid progress i
our course for Quebec. But, alas for hu
man calculation our joyous anticipation
were suddenly and fatally brought to IA cost
by shout from the lookout on the fore
castle, "Land ahead !"
These words brought every man and bo
to his feet, and each one strained every merry
to endeavor to bring the vessel to; but th
wind seemed to blow the stronger, and moe
our exertions for self-pl reservation. Sti
nearer and nearer we drifted towards th
high, rocky shore, which could now be d
tinctly seen from tho deck. On, on, ou
vessel madly rushes ! Hark the breaker
are now roaring around us Frauticall
she dashes on to destruction! -! She sworve
we shall escape! Disappointed hope J.
Another plunge-she rises-again she fall
"a heavy, humping sound ascends frou
the hold. Immediately followed by rush @
wAter-and-the barque has struck
Awe,stricken and in blank despair, eacI
looks upon his fellow, in deep, inquiring 81
lence there to find only the same unutter