Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-11-27
EBENSBIRG. PA. WEDNESDAY, NOT. 27. 1861

he saw it placed in danger. He was an expert
swimmer, ,and exerting himself, he soon approach
ed the masts, which still floating, though
with the wreck. 1t was in vain how
however to reach them, owing to the rolling of
the serf. Several times he nearly laid his hand
upon them, when he was beaten back by the
dashing waves His strength gradually gave
way, and he was floating farther and farther from
the wreck, when he chanced to see a sp ar near
him; vito a desperate effort he swan 20 this,
amp laying hold of il was thus able to sustain
himself upon the water.
The night grew dark apace, and Raymond
being driven out to sea, was parted from the
wreck, and could distinguish nothing but the
flashing waves around him. His limbs began to
grow cold and he feared that his strength would
be insufficient to enable him to keep upon the
spar His anxiety increased an awe of death,
which he had never felt before. sprung up in his
bosom, and an intense love of life-that which
he had SO recently spurned as worihess-burned
in his bosom. So little do we know ourselves
until adversely has taught reflection, that
Raymond, few hours before, fancying that he
was willing and prepared to die, now yearned
for safety, for deliverau ce, for life, with ago
ny he could not endure. His feelings, however,
did not overpower him. Using every effort of
strength and skill, and rubbing his chilled limbs
from time to time, he was able to sustain him.
self till morning. He could then perceive that
the vessel had become a complete wreck, and
that the fragments were floating on the waves
he could not discern a single human being. and
left 20 infer that all beside himself had perished.
In this situation, benumbed with cold, faint
and exhausted with exertion, he on the point
of yielding himself prey to the waves, when
pilct boat came in view. 1t gradually approach
ei the place where he was. and at last seemed so
near him as almost to be within reach Of his
voice. st this critical moment she made prepa-
rations to tack. and then change her direction.-
Raymond noticed these movements with indis-
cribable anxiety; if she should advance a few
rods more, he should be discovered and saved
if size would change her route ever little. she
would pass by, and he unobserved and helpless,
would perish. The experience of years seemed
now crowded into moment of agony. Wea-
~, cold and exhausted, the poor sufferer wished
not now to die, but to live. Help, belpp he
cried with ali his strength, oh, God. send me
deliverance from these waves y This earnest
and agonizing petition was the first prayer be
had uttered for years, and it was in fehalf of
that existance which. in the days of luxury and
splendcr. he had thought cursel
Watching the piIot-boat with the keenest inte-
rest poor Raymond now sat upon the spar, al
most incapable of moving on account of his suf-
erIngs and weakness. He saw at last the helm
put down he saw the vessel obey the impulse
he saw her swing ound, the sail tapping in the
wind, and then filing again; he then her
shoot off in another direction. thus leaving hin
destitute of hope. His heart sank within him,
sickness came over him, his senses departed, anC
he fell forward into the waves 1t was at thi
moment that he was dscovere by the pilot
The vessel Immediately steered towards him, ant
lie was taken on board. In few hour he was a
/, New York, and put under the care of persons
who rendered him every assistance which he nee
ded for his immediate comfort
1t was several hours after his arrival at tn
city before Raymond had fully recovered his sen
ses. When he was completely restored. and be
gan to make inquiries, he found that all his shiI
companions had perisbed. He who probabl
| cared lest for life-who had no family. no friends
! and who vas weary of existence-he only of tina
/ ships company, was the one that survived til
/ tempest.
There was something in this so remarkable
that it occupied his mind and caused him dee
emotion. In the midst of many painful reflec
tons. he could not disguise the fact, that he fel
a degree of pleasure in his deliverance from S
fearful death. Again and again. he said t
! himself.
How happy, hsw thankful 1 feel at being sa
we'd, when so many have been borne away to
watery grave -
The loss of his property though it left him
beggar in the world, did not seem to oppress hir
the Joy of escape from death was to him sourc
Of lively satisfaction ; it gave birth to a fee
| ing-a sense of dependence in God, and livel
exercise of gratitude towards Him. 1t also e'
tabished in hia mind a fact before entirely III
known, or unremarked-that what is called mi
fortune is often the source OF our most exqu
site enjoYments.
80 1t seems to me-" said Raymond, in the cour
of his reflections = that as gems are found in Il
dreary sands, and gold along the rugged rocks
and as the one is only yielded to toll, and 9th
10 the smelling ofthe fiery furnace-so happ
DeSSI Is He pIOuuCt oi sunSiiH9 anu
have felt more real peace, more positive enjo
ment from my deliverance, than / able
find in the whole circle of voluptuous pleasure
: yielded by wealth and fashion. l became
wretch existance to burden, while
was rich. But, having lost my fortune. and e,
: perienced the fear of death, 1 am happy in &
bare possession of that existance which l spurn
e before.''
Such were the feelings and reflections of Ra
:nond for few days after his escape; but
length It was necessary for him to decide up
coma course of action He was absolutely Ie