Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-09-18


80, Arthur! have been very wrong If
had not kept you so long in the cave, we would
have been safe. | was very, very wicked !"
''Hush, dear don't reproach yourself; 1t Is
of no use; and can't bear to hear you; and
don't cry so dreadfully! perhaps we may be
saved yet"
Ellie lifted her head and looked around on the
placid sea, dotted by the distant sails OF the
many ships s'bound on their voyage home"
"The water looks so clear and beautiful, Ar
thur; it can't be so cruel as to drown US! Oh!
no, no I'VE can't be drowned!"
Arthur did not hear her; he was gazing with
compressed lips at something on the rock by his
side. 1t was small piece of sea-weed; he put
his hand down and touched it.; it was damp,
and growing to the rock. Tearing it Oft with an
impatient jerk, he flung it into the sea; he
watched it unconsciously as it washed to and
fro by the ripple then he turned and looked at
Ellie; she was leaning her little pale face on
her hand, her eyes fixed wistfully on the distant
cliffs OF France. He hastily swallowed down
something that would rise in his throat as he
looked at her; and, bending over the rock, he
watched the water with an aching eagerness.-
Yes, it was rising that was only too evident
He started up.
20 Ellie! Ellie! if there was only something
| could do-some way of escape could try for
you, however dangerousI But it is maddening
to do nothing, and see those waters rising higher
and higher!"
And he stamped his foot excitedly.
There was few moments silence; then Ellie
rose, and laying her hand on his arm, looked up
in his face with an earnest look in her blue
eyes.
Don't speak so, dear Arthur! don't think
God will let US be drowned. Just as you spoke,
the verse | read this morning came into my
head why are ye so fearful, Q ye of little
faith e"
Arthur was silent, and stood thinking for 8
little; at last he said:
"Let US go into the cave again, Ellie. There
is no chance of escape here; perhaps we may
find some place in the walls to which we can
climb up have heard tina. in some caves the
water only covers the surface of the floor"
Ellie allowed herself, somewhat unwillingly,
to be led from the fresh air back into the dark
cavern. Then, shutting her eyes, she leant in
silence against the rock, while Arthur eagerly
Investigated the damp walls.
''Ellie!" he exclaimed. 'look! here is the
very thing Do you see that sort of little shelf
in the rock9 2"
'Yes; but can we reach it"
81 think SO; you know we are both good
climbers"
After little difficulty, Arthur succeeded in
reaching the crevice, and lay down so as to
stretch his arm as fer down as possible.
Nov, Ellie, put your foot there, and take
hold of that stone, and raise your left foot, and
you will find another resting-place. Capital =
Now raise your hand and l will try to reach
yOu-well doneW
Ellie drew breath of relief when she found
herself seated side by side with Arthur, and
asked him in cheerful voice if he thought they
would be safe where they were.
Il cannot tell, Ellie; we can only hope So"
This was not encouraging and Ellie said no
more, but gazed round the cave, feeling very
"eerie," for it was growing darker and darker as
the evening shades crept on without.
"What are you thinking about, Ellie2" said
Arthur, as he felt her tremble.
"Those lines of the song Lucy sang last night
will run in my head"
Ellie repeated, in a voice which she tried in
vain to make steady:
'They rowed her in across the foam,
The hungry, cruel foam,
The cruel, crawling foam,
70 her grave beside the sea-"
''Try and think of something else"
81 have been trying for long, and cannot
Ellie started few minutes after, as the cave
gave back the rich tones of Arthur's voice, as
he sang the beautiful hymn:
"Jesus lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the waters nearer roll,
While the tempest still is nigh.
'Hide me, O my Saviour! hide,
Till the storm of life be past.
Safe into the heaven guide,
Oh! receive my soul at last!"
He sang steadily through the verses, and Ellie
thought the words had never before seemed so
beautiful as they did now. Soothed and COM
forted, she hardly knew how, she leant back
wearily against the rock, for she was thoroughly
worn out by the long day spent in scrambling
among the rocks. Unlike Arthur, che did not
realize the hopelessness of their situation She
knew they were in danger, but Ellie had
child's simple faith in God, and having asked
Him to take care of her and Arthur, she felt
secure in His protection Her heavy eyes
gradually closed, and in little while her head
fell on Arthurs shoulder, and she was fast
asleep.
"Poor little Ellie" said Arthur to himself as
he drew her cloak closer round her. "What
mercy it is that she can sleep so peacefully !"
Hour followed hour, and Ellie slept on, while
Arthur listened to the monotonous ripple of the
water, and the shrill cry of the sea. bird as it
flew by to seek its nest among the cliffs. The
cave was now quite dark, and, from the sound of
the waves, he was expecting to feel the tide
break against him every moment, when moon
beam came floating in along the water. Arthur's
heart died within him, as with it came the re-
menbrance of Willie's words, uttered in the
morning, and forgotten till that moment-"lt is
full moon tonight and there will be spring
tide" A springfield All hope was gone now,
and he knew that little later the cave would
be full. He held the sleeping Ellie in despair
ing clasp, and counted the precious moments
that yet remained.
Arthur had thought of death before. He had
often dreamt of falling on some glorious battle
field, and being borne to his grave to the sound
of martial music, leaving an honored name be
hind him. but it was a very different thing
rushing forward to meet death amid the roar of
cannon, the trumpst's blast, and the shouts of
the battle, to awaiting in dismal cave among
the ocks, like condemned criminal the day of
his execution, imprisoned by the ripping waves
as securely as the felon by the massive walls and
iron bolts of his prison.
Time wore on, but Arthur grew calmer as the
tide rose higher. His defiant feelings had died
away, and be felt how vain it was to struggle a.
gainst Gods will and though his dreams of
earthly glory bad faded, would the welcoming
songs of the angels be less sweet, his golden
crown less bright on that account2 While be
was thinking, little ripple passed over his foot,
and, though it was what he bad been expecting.
he recoled as if struck by sudden blow. Ell
lie still slept; she did not feel the large tear that
fell on her brow as he bent over to catch the
murmured words that she uttered in her sleep.
She was dreaming of home she said Willies
name, and laughed aloud. Arthur shuddered
inVOluntarilv "a tho cavarn walls achnad hack