The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-05


wretched, covering group, upon the ice
field that had wrought us so much evil,
watching for the last moment of the good
ship that had brought Us more than two
thousand miles. 1t was not long in coming
Suddenly the bow bent low, as if 10 salute
the waves, and the stern rose high into the
air: then, with "a rapid forward movement,
the stately ship passed silently down INTO
the bosom OF The deep, every tall mast ana
iapering yard in It's place. and every sall
spread 10 it's utmost, and cleaning whitley
in the moonlight, until each IN rs turn pass
ed from our sight For a few moments
there was troubled boriex, and then :he
mooalt sea rolled placidIy on, and the gen
tie night wind swept over the spot, leaving
no trace Of the fearful shipwreck which, IN
scarce ten minutes from the tine the ice
struck our devoted vessel, had lett US e&-
posed aud helpless upon the broad sea, our
only refuge that desoIate field oil ice-hard'
inhospi,able and shelierless.
That night was one OF infinite suffering
10 hardy men; what, then, must IL nave
been 10 the feeble and helpless A lew
loose oIanks and spars had been thrown
, over from the ship, and the scramble 10 OBJ
| tain them was like struggle ior gold
was fortunate as 10 secure ore, aud on 1t
! placed my poor wife and elder child, rolled
| together in our only cloak while through
! The livelong night passed 10 and iro oe-
sides Them. with he little one wrapped IN
! n
s,lI lis cries and as walked, my leet
| clung 10 the frozen pavement beneath them;
and the cold shot up through my limbs
like an icy FIRE, causing in,olerabie PAIN
AS the nigh, passed on the cold lncreas-
ed. or else we felt il more and many times
] as looked on the shiverirg beings crouch
ing around me, thought that lew oil ihem
( would survive till morning. But thanks,
uuder Providence 10 the officers of the ship,
VINO served out al snorI InIerSdts, 9-.'-" II
lowances or spirits, the day dawned upon
all save few small children, my own dear
babe among them. Aud truly, when around
ms. dotted mere and there by sllvery ice-
fields. bu, uncheered by single sail, and
,houcht OF our desolalion our misery ana
probable fate, felt that il was merclini'y
called away from the evil to come. But
he mother could not feel so, and amid her
own sun-rincs, her tears fell fast on the
swee, piucid face that would never weep
again.
With the morning, the ships company
and na-seprers were mustered, 10 ascertain
if any were missing, and great was oar con-
srerna,ion 10 find that MIR. Grant was ao-
sent, Every inquiry was made, and every
search among The crevices aud cra1nies oil
onr rugged ice raft but all IN VAIN IN
The confusion and mi-ery of the night, none
had missed him, nor was any trace oi MN
IN he found. and we were al length com
PEELED TO believe that our kind Trend anu
master had either perished IN tie wreck OF
else in his passage TO the ice
Meanwhile macy were the eager eyes
continually scanning the horizon IN the VAIN
search for friendly sail. As The day wore
on. the sun shone out brilliantly anu III;
beams flashed in Thousand dazzling rays
on our ice raft, until we were almost olihu
ed by their radiance. Yet they shed
warmth through our chilled frames io'
which we were most thankful, and IN many
anots il,ey mel,ed the ice, which ran IN III
lie rils, enabling US 10 quench our mrs
without filing osr mouths with ice. Twice
a day little buiscui and raw pork wer'
. distributed 10 US. and thus sadly and surer
iou passed the day, lill a second night o
misery Eel in This proved lar worse thal
: The first, for ere long, wild gusts began Z
! howl over the ocean wastes ont anon;
WHICH we now had drified and heavy
/, waves lashed and ragged around US. ant
, dashed themselves against our refuge ant
taough they had not power 10 put II mi
motion, we knew :ot how soon they nigh
|, sweep over il or shalter ii in pieces. II wa
a fearful night, and so exhausted and dea
|. pairing did il leave us, that We scarce coul
rouse ourselves 10 exeriion, until sailor
r cry of sail no y awoke fresh hope.
; How many fearful eyes frightened an
heavy hearts throbbed quick and gratefully
as they watched tha, sail speed on toward
MS before the las, breath Of the explrIn
f gale AS she drew near the only lear wa
least she should pot have space Tor all :
Nearer aud still nearer she came, snniii W
j could see the men upon her decks, an
e ihen-she passed Us by, unobserving or un
d needing the signal We had placed upon
: spar, and the dark group of human beng
# clustered around il. II unheeding, Heave
g forgive them, for il was fearful depth {
: despair into which 10 fling back SO man
II OF their fellow creatures. The woman san
i dow n too heart-siricken FOR words, and IN
men lifted up their voices and bitter iudis
nation al the cruelty that could thus leav
. women and children to perish Death J
] .-r l.: -. l..-f..I fornn. dih inlIaa