Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-11-09
rCE-wRHCHED.
[rrom Blackwood's Magazine.

we nau nearly crossed the Atlantlc, and
were beginning to look eagerly for our frs,
sight Of the New World, when sudden
change occurred in the temperature, and the
balmy days Of April were followed by May
cold and cutting almost as winter AT length
we entered the broad estuary Of the ST. Law.
renee, and then the mystery was solved, for
its entire surface was checkered with masses
of Ice evidently the brokenup winter cover.
ing Of the river above being swept by the
current out to sea. Nothing could exceed
the beauty of the ice-felds as they flashed
and sparklcd like gigantic gems in their set.
ting of asure sea. Many were of great size
also, like floating islands, and the hcapcd up
blocks upon their surface cleaned from q
distance like cities of dazzling crystal
The wind was in our favor, and our good
ship sped up the gulf, threading her way
through the channels of the floating ice fields
while, hour after hour, her passengers stood
watching with unwcaried eyes the splendid
Scene around them Even when night came,
there was the same eager throng Of gazers,
for those large frozen plains giitered in the
moonlight with strange spectral beauty
none of us had ever seen before.
After time, amass Office hnger than COM
mon, appeared floating down the stream
Subsequently we learned that it was part OF
the cone the spray forms every winter before
the falls fMontmorency. Omit came, gleam-
ing palely against the deep blue sky like a
castle OF spotleSs marble, rising in tower and
turret, and massive buttress, and enriched
by the most delicate tracery. Every eve was
fixed upon j. in breathless admiration, as it
swept majestically by, until, as it passed be-
as,xf tho H., A. f,Ft
momentarily .becalmcd u.s. Suddenly the
stationary ship received a severe shock, which
vibrated not only through all her timbers but
through every one Of the hundred and Forty
human beings who formed her living freight.
Never shall l forget the shrieks Of terror that
followed, as women well-nigh frantic with
fear, clasped their children to their bosoms,
believing that the ship had struck upon a
rock, and that their last moment had come.
4 cry from the bow, that it was but blow
from the ice, somewhat relieved their fears,
and they stood quietly by, while the helm was
put down, and the sails drawn round, in the
effort to free us from the huge mass of ice
which still lay across the vessels bow pres
sing and grating audibly against her tlmbcrs.
rnintste suore, and above the din Of blocks
and cordagc, and the stamping Of mems feet,
there arose a wild cry that echoed fur and
wide. OYER the surrounding icc-fields. and
through every Granny Of the neighboring ice
sstle-'sThc ship Is sinking ~, ae.
1t was an appalling announcement: and
unfortunately it was a true one. The ice
had struck us heavier than we thought. and
its hard, sharp.elge, keen and resstless as that
Of knife !; pressing against the bows of our
yessel-undefendcd as she. was by the double
timbers needed for northumberland cut
them completely through, so that the water
rushed ysaN in with the force and rapidity Of 4
cascade. A II ,s NH n. .T, .,ss !. ,i5 4 ~
What fearful scene Of terror and confu-
sion ensued the shrieks and lamentations
Of women, the cries of children, and the 81.
lent anguish of men, as they beheld the fears
and danger Of those dearest to them, : On
none did the blow fall heavier than on M !.
for had a:delicate wife on board, and of nv
two little ones, the younger was an invalid
Meanwhile, no time was lpet.1 There was no
space to lOWersthe boats, and the pale. terri
He'd passengers were hurriedly passed down.
by the bowsprit upon the ice. il was touch
ing tqSeason ncssnstch q suoakor urapper as
they passed, The soic reiic of an their worldly
possessions ]; while otheys,i n their steFros
aeiaTed without even that A &w prSvis
ions were next sent down, quickly followed
by the crew mo then We stoeQ a wretched,
covering group upon the ice-ficld that had
w9S9ht''s 70 muchIcsih S4tlhf16 6sf0s HE
last nofficht of the good ship, which had
brought as in peace and safety more than
tsxo thousand: mites. ~ was not slonf, IN
coming. Suddenly the bow bent low. $ If
to salute the waves and the stern rose high