Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-10

was still and silent, the winds had mnr-
INJURED themselves to sleep, the pillows
moved quietly, as if fearful of disturbing
the slumbers of those who slept beneath
them. 1t must have been about ten min
utes ito me it seemed an age of ages0
that this strange scene continued. At last
L saw the creature move gradually of, |
and with deep plunge that agitatcd the
waters around, it sunk beneath the waves. |
After this, lay perfectly exha lsted from
terror and fatigue-I felt that my wasted
strength was fast giving way, and knew
not what instant the shark would return
eager for its prey. Completely overcome
by exhaustion, you would scarcely believe
1t, slept-yes, slept, and dreamed. 1t
could not have been more than a minute
lay In 5his deep slumber, and oh what
a visioHswept across my brain. 1 thought
that, as l lay gazing up to heaven, de-
llghttnl strain of music filled the air, and
slowly arose that brilliant group Of sisters
the fair Pleiades They rested their
starry Instrument in the azure skies,
and striking its shining chords, they
breathed forth a strain of peace and COM
fort Again and again the delightful tones
breathed out, then died away, the faint
exquisite music of Dream until at last
no sound Gould be heard, but the dying
echoes that gradually expired in their own
sw Get music. At this moment an increas-
ed ripple in the waters aroused me from
my sleep, and | can never forget the thrill
OF lshrreS t.sss rai= thfTlSn every nerve,
when | perceived the shark slowly moving
around mo in circles, as if preparing to
seize upon its victim. Maddcned almost to
insanity, believe that | should have
made no effort at resistance; but on rais-
ing an appealing look to heaven, to pray
for strength to sustain me, | saw, glitter
ing in all their beauty, the Pleiades. In
a moment my dream rushed across my
mind, and fancied | saw Hope written
in burning letters upon their brows, and
and nerved by that sign, [ prepared for
the conflict. Silently the creature revolv-
ed around me, and every instant would
open its huge mouth as if TO ingulf me
therein. At last it came close, and l felt
its cold nose touch my face. In mo-
ment, with all the energy of despair, L
rushed upon it. The piece of timber /
had under my right arm now served me
as a weapon of defence, and sustaining
myself by the left, fought with the other
For about an hour l struggled with the
fierce monster. l beat it about the head,
would make at me, would renew the at
tack with increased yigor. | screamed
with all my might, to attract any vessel
that might be near, until at last it seemed
as if all strength was deserving me. 1t
was desperate and fearful struggle be-
tween life and death, and l dared not re-
lax one moment, for that instant would.
hurl me to destruction. But even during
that long and terrible scene, the Pleiades
seemed ever before me, and | would muir
muir Pleiades, Pleiades, as if l thought
that bright band would come down and
succor mes AT last | made vigorous eff
fort, and gathering mp my remaining
strength, dealt the monster n blow on
/ tire E15rd rrrTT seemed to stun it. 1t re-
manned perfectly motionless for moment,
and then saw it move gradually off, and
disappear in the depths of its ocean home.
| was so completely exhausted after this,
that l had scarcely strength to breathe,
but was compelled to make an effort to
keep myself from sinking. Worn ont as
L was, dared not close my eyes, but kept
them fixed upon the starry Tyre of the
sisters which seemed to be cchoing back
my mumurings of Pleiades, Pleiades.
GAS lay tossing about on the deep, it
appeared to me memory was gifted with
ten thousand eyes that, glancing back,
brought to light every action of my past
existence. Not deed, not thought,
but sprung to life once more every friend
HAD known, every hope l had cherished,
every sorrow / had wcpt over, seemed
actually present. Then, for the first time,
did the freak that made me leave the COM
forts OF home appear a crime; and again
did the fearful voice, and subdued good
by of my mother sound mournfully dis
tinct; as it seemed to blend itself with the
dreamy sounds of the waves. While l
thus pondered OH the past, the lovely
Pleiades gradually sunk into their ocean
bower and might with all her starry
host passing away, morning broke upon
me. Upon looking around at the vast
waste of waters that encompassed me, l
esped sail; my heart beat joyously,
again l seemed endowed with supernat-
ural energy, and called aloud for aSsis-
lance. My cries were heard !; and in an
instant boat was lowered, and came
vending its way through the waters. [
watched it with intense anxiety. As soon
as it reached me 1 was taken in, and on
arriving on board l saw painted upon its
stern, in large golden letters, its name,
THE PIeiades = Yes l~hat glorious sis
terhood upon whom 1 had anchored, as it
were, my hopes, was to me the harbinger
of life, the ark of safety from the storm.
"Do you wonder now that the glitter
ing of the waves is to me but as dark
shadow, and that 1 shudder as I gaze into
that fearful depth? And do you deem it
marvel that should turn away my
glance from the waves below to the skies
above, where, pictured in brightness, glim-
mer that group of my vision-the Pleiades
who on that fearful night hung out their