The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-27

tussel in which we ploughed up the sand il
a circle, was equally fruitless, and | begar
to think he would keep me there to b
drowned, for to cross to Parkgate on foot be
fore the tide came up, seemed hopeless
At length, finding could not get to touch
his shoulder, seized the opportunity wher
he was close to the bank of the stream, and
catching the curb sharply in both hands
backed him half way down nearly into tho
water Before he had quite struggled up tc
the top, | threw myself into the saddle, and
was carried off at tho rate of thirty miles an
hour toward the sea.
But soon gathered up the reins, and
firm in my seat, turned my Tartar's head to
ward the point where | could see the white
windmill cleaning through the twilight on
the Cheshire shore,
felt that had not moment to spare
The sand so firm in the morning, sounded
damp under the horses stride; the little stag
nant pools filled visibly, and joining formed
shallow lakes, through which we dashed in a
shower of spray and every now and then
we leaped over or plunged into deep holes;
at first tried to choose path, but as it rap
idly grew darker, sat back in my saddle, and
with my eyes fixed on the tower of the wind
mill, held my horse firmly into hand gallop,
and kept a straight line, lie was a famous
dcep-chcsted long-striding little fellow, and
bounded along as fresh as when | started
BY degrees my spirits b gan to rise; thought
the danger past; | felt confidence in myself
end horse and shoutdc to him in cncoureg-
ing triumph. Already was, in imagination
landed, and relating my days adventures to
Laura, when with heavy plunge down on
his head, right over went the brown stallion,
and away flew rs far as the rcins, fortunto-
ly fast erasped, wouil let me. Blinded with
wet sand, started, shakcu, confused, by a
sort Of instinct, | scrambled TO my feet al
most as soon as my horse who had fallen
over n set Of salmon net stakes. Even in
the instant ofmy fall all the horror Of my
situation was Immediately visible to me-
In a moment lived years. | felt that was
4 dead man; I wondered if my body would
be found thought Of what my friends
soull say; ] thought Of letters in my desk
wished burned. | thought of relatives to
whom my journey was unknown, of debts
wished paid, of parties with whom | bal
luauellcd, and wished had been rcconciIed.
wondered whether Laura would mourn for
ne, whether she really loved me. In fact,
he most serious and ridiculous were jEmblcd |
ltogcthcr, while mutterel, once or twice a |
lasty prayer; and yet did not lose a mo-
ncnt in rcmounIing. This time my horse
na lie 70 resistance, but stood over his hooks I
II pool ofsat water, and trcmblcd and snort .
mot iiercely but in fear. There was no
imc TO lose. looked around for the dark /
inc of the shore; it had sunk in the twilight. /
looked again for the white tower; Il had
disappeared. The fall and the rolling, and
nrrne Of the horse in rising had confused
Il my notions Of the points of the compass.
could not tell whether it was the clouds
'om the sea, or the dizzy whirling of my
rain; but it seemed to have become black
light liz moment.
The water seemed to flow in all directions
pund and round tried but could not tell
.hich was the sea, and which the rived side.
The wind, too, seemed to shift and blow
ON all points ofthe compass.
Then, " softly" | said to myself, abe calm;
on are confused by terror; be man = apd
ride came to lny rescue: closed my eyes
,r a moment, and whispered ''Oh Lord, save
le" Then with an effort, caImcr as though
had gulped down something, | opened my
YES, and stood up in my stirrups and peercd
ITO the darkness. As far as | could see,
ere patches ofwater eating up the dry bits
f sand; as far as ! could hear, a rushing
dc was on all sides. -Four times in differ
lt directions | pushed on, and stopped
hen found the water rising over the shoul-
crs of my horse:
I drew up on 2 sort Ct an i'land Of sand,
heh was every minute growing less, and
altering all the strength of my longs, shout
again and again, and then l'tc ned; but
lerc came no answering shout. Sulden'y.
sound of music came floating past me. |
,uld distinguish the air; It was the militia
! baud playing "Home, sweet home"
led to gather from what quarter the sound
inc but each time the wind instruments
-ayel ont loudly, the sounds seemed to
,me to me from all directions at once
All" thought, Il shall see home nomorc."
could have wcpt, but | had no tiIrc; my
res were staring through the darkness, and
y horse plunging and rearing, gave me no
It for weeping. ! gave him his head once,
sving heard that horses, from Slips sunk at
a. ave reached land distant ten miles, by
stinct; bus the alienation Of land and shall
W and deep water confused his senses, and ,
sstrcyed the calm power which might have
zen developed in the mere act of swimming.
at length, after a series Of vain efforts, |
.ew calm and resigned / made up my {
l.