The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-13

pice some twenty feet, and there, high above
the seething lava, to cross on such q piece Of
wood % could be got 70 span the abyss, and
then eiamSer SnS up the rneeed opposite side.
ed, and had got timber, which wrecked ves-
sci had supplied, to the edge, 20 that Ellen and
Charles might push plank down to him, and
he might Try at least to cast II 70 the opposite
No one Of them spoke word while he stood
below, steadying himself to receive the plank
Ellen's weak arm grew powerful, her wit was
sity her frame and spirit were strung to the
very uttermost, and she was brave and silent,
doing all that could be done. No word was
spoken till .Pan!ett said II have done it,"
plank and secure 1t on his own side Of the abyss
with stones. Then they held their breath, be-
holding him cross it but his firm foot carried
side also. He came over again, sprang mp the
side, and now smiled and spoke.
"After all, 1t is but mountain torrent, Il
len, he said, land the water would have de-
stroyed ns like yonder seething flood yet, we
have crossed many one and feared nothing
Now, Charles, shall 60 over then Alice,
and he shall take care Of her and then my
Ellen. The ground beyond is better we shall
get on well after this 4.
Ellen took the girl in her arms and stood,
not trembling, not weeping, seeing and feeling
every motion all was safe that time, again.
Charles was on the opposite bank, and his
back for Alice, whom her mother tied on his
shoulders, for hands as well as feet were want
ed to scramble down and up the banks. And
now Ellen followed to the brink, and forgot, in
watching her husband and child pass over,
that the black torrent was seething beneath
her eyes When they were quite safe, she felt
again that it was there, and that her eyes We're
growing dizzy, and her hands inyoluntarily
grasping about for support. She did not take
time to feel more, but sprang upon the plank,
and over it, and found Pauletts hand seizing
hers, and drawing her up the opposite bank.
And once there, with all three round her she
burst into tears-tears which had not over
come her through many miseries-and embra
cling them alternately, blessed them, that they
were all so far safe. Paulett suffered this emo
ton to spend itself before he said that he
must cross the plank again. To be more at
liberty to assist them, he had left the da-
mondls on the other side till they should be
times had SO schooled them all that selfish or
unreasonable thoughts either did not come at
all, or We're suppressed at once and she did
not oppose, even with q word, this necessary
step. But the renewal OF fear after the ex-
cited energy had subsided did her more harm
than all that had gone before and she stood
on the brink exhausted, yet palpitating again
WAS wn wearied but % he M had ~ reached the plank,
and was upon it on his way back in safety.
when one of those ebullitiOns which stirred
the dark fluid began roaring down the cleft
rock, and with stunning noise sent up dark and
clouding vapor. Raulett seemed suffocating-
he could not be heard-he could just be seem
he reeled Has he fallen Oh he has fallen
No, no. he has got his footing again he
forces himself mp the bank he is safe--but
the diamonds are in the bottom of the pit.
CHAPTER VI.
The exhausted family toiled with difficulty
over the remaining passage to what had been
the main land, and reached a village on the
former coast, under q roof of which they en-
tered, and lay down on the floor OF the first
almost out the materials for producing more
were gone and there seemed little chance of
finding any in the neighbOrhood. % Death was
here " and yet the exhaustion OF their frames
led them to sleep before they died, and to seek
and enjoy taste of that oblivion which was
soon to fall upon them with an impenetrable
shrOud. All but Ellen were soon asleep; but
she the most Wearied Of all, could not close
her eyes and admit rest to her Ovcr-WrOught
frame. There was a burning thirst in her
throat, which the small portion of water she
| and the rest had shared-being all that re-,
! manned for them--had failed to slake. She had
| not complained Of it but she rejoiced when
she heard them sleep, that she could rise and
move restlessly about. The night was hot,
strongly; the moon shone, but scarcely
/; with so bright light as usnal-there
was film upon 1T, or, perhaps, Ellen
thought it was the dimness of her own
| weary eyes. She came softly up to Paulett,
| and watched his frame, half-naked in the un-
consciousness Of sleep. and upon which none
| Of the ravages of want and eXertiOn were now
| concealed. The flesh was wasted the strcng
chest showed the bones Of the skeleton ; the
arms which had SO strained their powers were
thin, and lay in an attitude of extreme ex-
hanstiOn. His sleep was deep; his lips open
his eyelids blue he would wake in want and
soon he would be able to sleep NO more till
the last sleep Of all came in torment and an
guish Poor Charles lay by him. his head on
somewhat together, his clusters Of brown hair
parted off his pale, thin cheek and Alice, the
darling Alice, with more color in her face than
any of them, slept in deep rerose, destined
| those whose cares hitherto had kept heI
healthier and happier than themselves. The
mother grOaned with anguish she measured
what these We're about to suffer by all she be-
gan TO suffer herself, and the sight of them
seemed to scar the burning eyes which could
no longer weep. She sat down on the floor by
Alice her head fell against the wall sht
! caught at a little rosary which hung near hel
and pressed it in her mouth, the compare
| tive GOODNESS of the beads giving her q little
ease. Her face fell on her bosom.
When Paulett woke ont of his deep sleep,
and as soon as he stirred, the little Alice came
on tip-toe across the floor to him, and said
'' Hush, father, my mother is asleep at last ;
| "At last, my Alice What Could she moi
| II think she could not sleep. woke mp
and there was my mother and Charles WOKE
presently, and she said, Charles, 60 out ant
! try to bring back some cold stones in n emp,
and then presently she sat down again, ant
went to sleep"
He rose softly, and taking the little girl b.
! the hand, came up to Ellen's side, and loOket
upon her. She was lying at full length ON tn
floor, her head was toward him. but her fac'
| was turned upOn the ground, and her hal
further hid it her right arm was fallen for
ward, and the hack Of that hand lay in tn
palm of the other. He did not hear nor see he
| breathe. "Is it SO, my Ellen!'' he said
I" Art thou at rest Is there no farewell TO
me - He kneeled, and stopped lower and low
er. His lip did not venture TO feef hers h
longed that she might he free, yet shrank iron
knowing that she was gone. But no she ha,