Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-11
THE PLEIADES.
A TRUE TALE OF THE SEA.

twas lovely night, "the moon,
parting aside the light clouds" that
iloated in the heavens, peered forth with
her brilliant face. The sea sparkling, be-
meath her earnest glance, seemed like one
c;ssket of gems; each ripple appeared
diamond, and from each bill,wy wave
cleaned forth I" tho ever-changing opaPs
light" Truly Luna had never more
" shining bath in which to lave" than on
this MI ht. For hours l had stood watching
"the sea of fire " as it appeared in its bril-
lancy. had never .recollected seeing it
more dazzling bright; and calling to Hen.
ry NJ, who was standing near, l invited
him to share the glorious spectacle with
me, He came, I thought, rather reluc-
family and after giving one rapid glance,
turned coldly away. followed him, for
] had noticed that he shuddered as if in
horror at the sight. On similar occasions
remembered his exhibiting the same ap-
parent disgust, and felt somewhat anxious
to find out the cause. He had seated HIM
self when reached him, in thoughtful at
titude, and, placing myself by his side, 1
gathered from him the following incident:
cit is some years since the vessel then
belonged to was taking in cargo ofsugar
Barbados. We were obliged to 90
from our ship, which was anchored at some
distance from the landing, in boats, and
transport our cargo in that manner. The
afternoon was very windy one, when two
comrades and myself pushed off in our
boat, nothing fearing to take in load
OF sugar. We had got out of sight of the
vessel, when suddenly there came upon US
one Of those violent gusts so often expert
enced in tropical climate 1t seemed as if
the caverns OF the wind had been sudden
ly opened, and that their pent-up prisoners
rushed out to scatter with their footsteps
the oceans foam around. The boat reeled
as the blast descended, which was sweeping
over us, witha mighty power, hurting rs
from our places with giants strength
Obi the horror OF that moment, when |
found myself tossing about on the merci-
less deep, and how cold the waves felt as
dashing over me, l would rise and sink
with their swell. Ihad caught . two
pieces Of timber that were floating past,
and in that manner sustained myself, tor
the shore was at too great distance for
me to reach it by swimming. Upon look
ing around, l found that my companions
were near me buffeting the waves. For
several hours we tossed about, looking for
sail, and striving to keep up each others
fast-drooping spirits. AS long as sawmy
companions near, / felt buoyed up, and
continued to combat with the waves. But.
The fearful agony Of that moment I shall
never forget, when looking again at the
spot where had last seen them tossing
wildly their hands, as if imploring aid, 1
found that they had disappeared. I called
aloud, l implored them to answer: only
one word, said, to tell me that am not
all alone-alone on this horrible deep
But, O my God, my God (said the speak
er, overcome by his emotion.) no voice re-
piled, they We're gone, gone. The waves
had opened and engulfed them. Yes, I
was alone-alone to combat with the fierce
elements that seemed driving me on, on
to eternity alone with my fast failing
strength, no voice near to cheer me, no hu
man arm to uphold me. To add to nv
horrors, night threw her mantle over
fix, earth and sea, and soon its shad-
ows darkened all around. 1t was the first
quarter ofthe moon, and oh how 1 looked
up an DleSS6u Hef DIS SIG uunS OUT ueF Orli-
liant crescent, like silver boat launched
on boundless food -
while / lay gazing up to heaven, and
thanking God for even this little ray of
light, which was enough to enable me to
distinguish surrounding objects, saw
shark moving its penderons form toward
INC: l felt as if Invested of all powers Of
vosltlon, and it seemed as if I had been
spared the fate Of my companions to meet
with this more horrible death. Slowly
'ho creature advanced, and remained per-
:.cctiy motlonless at a little distance, watch
-aS me; bent my gaze upon it, and kept
'F''xed steadily; itmoved not, neither did