The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-01-20

moment amid the cheers of my men had
gained the quarter deck.
| The boat shot to the side and a dozen
arms we're extended to receive my burden.
l carefully gave in in charge of the nearest,
almost slung the old man after, and spring
ing with bound into the stern sheets, wav-
ed my arm and shouted, "Shove of-board
give way-and if you ever pulled, pull for
your lives. my men,"
l was obeyed. With one soul they bent
their brawny arms to the task, and while the
ash almost snapped beneath them, made the
boat whirl from the quarter, and then sent
her with the velocity of sea-gull over the
deep. Not word was spoken. The cid
man sat beside me in the bewilderment of
gratitude, astonishment, and only half dissi-
pated fright-whie the form of the still in
animate child was extended unaided for the
moment, By his side. 1t was indeed no time
for delay. Every man knew he Was pulling
for life or death.
The other boat was nearly mile ahead.
skimming swiftly along from the deserted
ship. Far out on the moonlight horizon lay
our schooner, with all her exquisite tracery
reflected in the wave beneath, and seeming
with her trim, taper, raking masts, like some
arial vessel floating half way between sea
and sky. Down to the right was the burn
ing ship. presenting vast body of lurid fire.
that roared along her sides. streamed out at
her ports, edGied spiraliy up the masts, and
leaped in huge masses straight out into the
sky.
Now and then as her guns became heated,
they went off with roar like thunder Mean
time the dense smoke, gathering in thick
clouds above, hung like pail over the con-
suming ship. For some moments the flames
appeared to die in part away, but all at once
a stream of intense fire that almost blinded
the eyes. rose perpen dicularly up from the
decks, the horizon for miles around was illu-
minated with light more vivid than that of
the brightest MONDAY. part Of the foremas,
lifted bodily out, sho, like ar arrow almost
cable length on high. conclusion ensued
that made the boat shiyer like reed and
rock moment frightfully about-and then
stunning roar following, shaking the 6rma-
ment to its center, and sounding as if thou
sand broadsides had been discharged at once
For moment the burning fragments sailed
alott, falling on every hand about, while the
boat rolled 10 and fro upon the agita:ed
swell. We held our brea,hs in momentary
expectation of death, and l involuntarily eiac-
ulated-
1.-The Lord have mercy upon us.
Amen" said the rescued father at my
side
But we were again most miracu!ously pre-
served. The otting we had gained, though
not sufficient 10 ensure safety. proved great
enough to relieve US from inevitable destruc-
ton. Had any of the falling timbers, how
ever struck US, We should have all gone down
together. AS it was, it was one of the mar
rowcst escapes ever had made, and when |
gave the command to the crew to give way
asain-for at that terrible explosion they had
as one man paused-a gush of thankfulness
and devotion went up from my heart to the
great Author Of my being. who had thus a
second time preserved nv life. The deafen-
ing u?roar however recalled the senses of the
fair girl at my side. But will not describe
her gratitude and that of her parent. to N.Y.
self, whom they persist in considering the
preserver of their lives.
Suffice it to say, We were soon on board.
the captain deliberately resigned his own
cabin to the strangers, and then had leisure
to learn some particulars concerning thei
history. They were easily told Mr.. Thorn
ton. the father of Isabel was wealthy Yves,
lndiaman. and was just returning from Great
Britain with his daughter. who had been
there for several years obtaining her educa-
ton. Before the Letter of Marque sailed.
she had been fitted up by Mr.. Thornton in
style bordering on eastern luxury, with fur
niture intended principally for his mansion
house at Jamaica.
But 1t this moment a message arrived
soliciting nv presence with Mr. thornton.
As | entered the cabin he frankly extended
his hand, and presented me to his now blush
ing daushter-tor what woman, be she wh..
she may, can stand unerlbarrassed in tn,
presence of one to whom she owes her life
l have had many moments of pleasure, but
never felt as then did, when Isabel Thorn
ton extending her delicate hand to me with
her sweetest smile, uttered her thanks.
But how" said !, to change the subject.
Ibid it happen my dear Miss Thornton, that
you were in the cabin when the rest had es.
caped::"
"ln the general alarm, We were forgotten
for We had been hurried TO the hold durin.
the conflict, and " hen the fire broke out We
were overlooked. We found our own wa,
back, but only when the whole ship was in
flames. We had just reached the cabin thro
forward door below, and believing the shi,
destroyed, had despaired of all escape, wher
you appeared"
81 had forgot till this moment we we..