Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-04-17

absent Every inquiry wss male. anil
every search among the crevices anil cram
,;e> of onr rugged ice-craii: but all IN vain.
| In the confusion aud misery Of the night.
none hal missed him. anr was any trace
of him to I've found. and we were sf length
compelled to believe that our kind friend
and master hal either persisted in the wreck.
or else in his passage to the ice. 5a
Meanwhile many we're tho eager eyes
continually scanning the horizon in the vain
search Cor . friendly SAIL As the day
wore ON. the sun shona brilliantly olt. and
his beams flashed in q thousand dazzling
ravs on our ice craft. until we were almost
blinded by their radiance. Yet. they she'd
a warmth through our chilled frames for
which we were most thankful. and in many
spots they melted the ice. which ran in lit
tie rills. enabling Us TO quench our thirst
with out filling our mouths with ice
Twice in the day little biscuit AMI raw
pork were distributed to us. and thus sad
y anil suffering passed the day. till sec-
ond night of misery set IN. This proved
far worse than the former. for. ere long.
wild gusts began to howl over the ocean
wastes out among which we now had drift
ed; and heavy waves dashed and raged
around ia. and dashed themselves against
our refuge; and though they had not power
to put it into motion. we knew not how
soon they might sweep over and shatter it
in pieces. II was fearful night. and so
exhausted AMI despairing did it leave US.
that we scarce could rouse ourselves {, ex
ertion. until sailors cry Of "Ssil hor'
awoke fresh hope.
How many fearful eyes Frightened and
heavy hearts thrnbbed quick and gratefully
IS they watched that sail speed on towais
nv before the last breath of the ex piring
gale! As she drew near the only fear was
lest she should not have space for all
Nearer and still nearer she came. until we
could see the men upon the deck. and then
we scarce could could believe our eyes
she passed. MS by. uuobserving or unheed
ing the signal we had raised upon q spar.
and the dark group of hnman being clus-
tered round it. Ii unkeeding. Heaven for
give them. for it was Q fearful depth OF
despair into which to fling back so many
of their fellow creatures. The women
sank down too heart stricken for words.
and the men lifted up their voices in bitter
indignation at the cruelty that could thus
leave women and children to perish
Death in one of his most fearful forms did
indeed seem pressing close apon us for
our scanty stock of food was exhaustei.--
Many fling themselves at full length upon
the ice. utterly Indifferent to all outward
objects; while others prayed earnestly over
the dear ones for whom all earthly hope
was past.
Suddenly loud shout arose above the
plash of the waves aud the murmur Of sor
rowful voices echoed over our frozen rest
ing place. Every eye turned seward. and
there. but few fathoms from Us lay a
large vessel. which. absorbed as we were
in our misery. hail approached Ms uHcer-
ceived. Her bulwarks were filed with
sympathizing faces. and to our feeble cheer
of welcome there came back hearty q
response that it sent glow through our
shivering frames. ~.
Never was kindness greater than we
poor ice-wrecked voyagers received from
the crew and passengers of that ship.
crowded though she already was. To
their care and attention we owed not only
our lives. but those of the dear ones who
seemed about to die; and never can we feel
sufficiently grateful for the good offices.
or the many sacrifices they made on our be-
half
The ship was westward bound. and on
our arrival in Canada. the account Of our
misfortunes brought us may offers of en-
ployment. Years have passed since and
the world has gone well with us. but moth
ing can erase from our minds the haunting
remembrance Of the days and nights of
suffering we passed upon that fearful ice
field.