Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-01-17

/ Oh the horrors of that awful rraliza-
ton what pen or tongue can portray
g them ?-there, a helpless, conscious pris.
Il oner, suspended over the mouth of a
o black and heated abyss, to be hurled
t downward by the next great throe Of
/ trembling nature.
" Help! help! help for the love of
: God, helpp screamed in tue very ago.
ny of wild despair.
looked up and around to catch a
glimpse Of my guide; but be was gone,
: and had nothing to rely on but the mer-
cy Of heaven, and prayed TO God as
never prayed before, for forgiveness Of
my sins that they might not follow me to
Judgment. 1t might be a second, il might
be minute, It night be an hour, that |
should lave thus to undergo living
death, but be the time long or short,
felt there was no escape from doom that
even now makes me shudder and grow
pale when think OF il. Above me wa,
a clear blue sky--beneath me black
and horrible abyss--around me sckep.
ing vaPors that made my brain grow
dizzy. Rumbln: and Kissing sounds
WARMED me tlat another convulsion might
occur at any moment, and another would
be the last OF me. Home and friends |
Should never see again, aud my tomb
would be the volcanic IIecia. strove
"i'h the madness of desperation TO dis
engage my imprisoned limbs, but might
as well have attempted to move mount
ain. There | was fixed and fastened for
the terrible death was awaiting. Ohl
God Of mercy what fate
Suddenly | heard a shout, and, look
ing around, beheld with feelings that I
cannot describe, my faithful guide hasten
ing down the rugged sides of the crater
to my relief. He had fed in terror at
The first alarming demonstration, but had
nChIy returned to save me ii possible, by
riskjng his life for mine. May God re-
ward him as he deserves.
" warned you, master," he said, as
he came up painting, his eyes half start.
ing from his head, and his whole counte-
nance expressing commingled terror and
pity.
" You did you didp cried /, "bu,
oil forgive and save mes"
You are already forgiven, master,
and III save YOU if can-save YOU or
perish with you"
Instantly he set to work with his iron.
pointed stick to break the lava around
ny limbs, but had scarcely made any
progress when the earth trembled, and
he blocks parted, one Of them rolling
lo"n into the yawning cha,m with dull
'olIow sound, spraog orward-Iseiz.
ID hand Of the gude-we both strur.
lied hard, and the next moment we had
10Th fallen, locked in each others arms.
pom the solid earth above. / was free.
ut still upon the verge of the pit, and
ny moment we might both be hurled to
es,ruclon.
Qlick, masterl' cried the guide, "up
nd run for your lie -
staggered to my feet with wild cry
f hope snd fear, and half supported by
ny faithful companion, hurried up the
lopiog sides Of the crater. As we reach.
d the ridge above, the ground shook with
heavy explosion, and looking back, |
eheId with horror dark, smoking pit
here we had SO lately stood. And then,
'ithout waiIiog 10 see more, turned and
ed over the rough ground as fast as my
ruiscd limbs would let me. We reach.
/ our horses in safety, and hurrying
own the mountain gave The alarm to the
'iIaSers who joined US in our fight
cross the country till safe distance was
'ined' Here bade adieu to my faith
II guide, rewarding him as a man grate-
Al Tor the preservation Of his life nigh.
e supposed to do. A few days later.
hen the long extinct Hecla was again
'nyuIsing the island and sending forth
s mighty tongues Of fire ard streams of
elted lava, was far away from the aw-
! scene, thanking God was alive to
Il the story Of my wonderful escape
om burning tomb.
G7y- Il has been well observed that ad-
&C is not d sliked because it is advice,