Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-11

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 ages)
that this strange scene continued. AT last
I saw the creature move gradually Oft,
and with deep plunge that agitated the
waters around, it sunk beneath the waves.
After this, | lay perfectly exhausted from
terror and fatigue-l 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
it, slept-yes, slept, and dreamed. 1t
could not have been more than minute
1 lay in this deep slumber, and oh! what
a vision swept across my brain. l thought
that, as lay gazing up to. heaven, de-
lightful 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 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 could 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 l can never forget the thrill
of horror that ran through every nerve,
when perceived the shark slowly. moving
around me in circles, as ii preparing to
seize upon its victim. Maddened almost to
insanity, [ believe that should have
made no effort at resistance; but on rails
ing an appealing look to heaven, to pray
for strength to sustain me, | saw, glitter
ing i'll 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 felt
its cold nose touch my face. In mo-
ment, with all the energy Of despair, |
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, l fought with the other.
For about an hour struggled with the
fierce monster. beat it about the head,
trying to stun it; and every fresh dart it
would make at me, l would renew the at
tack with increased vigor. [ 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 lite and death, and | 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 bsfore me, and would muir
mur Pleiades, Pleiades, as if thought
that bright band would come down and
succor me. At last l made vi gorous ef-
fort, and gathering up my remaining
strength, dealt the monster a blow on
the head that 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.
l was so completely exhausted after this,
that | had scarcely strength to breathe,
but was compelled to make an effort to
keep myself from sinking Worn out as
| was, dared not close my eyes, but kept
them fixed upon the starry Tyre of the
sisters which seemed to be echoing back
my murmurings of Pleiades, Pleiades.
GAS | lay tossing about on the deep, ii
appeared to me memory was gifted with
ten thousand eyes that, gancing back
brought to light every action Of my past
existence. Not deed, not thought
but sprung to life once more every friend
L had known, every hope 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 or home appear 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
thus pondered on the past, the lovely
Pleiades gradually sunk into their ocea1
bower and might with all her starry
host passing away, morning broke upo1
me. Upon looking around at the vas
waste OF waters that encompassed me,
espied sail; my heart beat joyously
again l seemed endowed with supernat
ural energy, and L called aloud for assis
lance. Ny cries were heard and in al
instant a boat was lowered, and cam,
vending its way through the waters !.
watched it with intense anxiety. As soo1
as it reached me I was taken in, and cl
arriving on board saw painted upon it
stern, in large golden letters, its name
'The Peiades = Yes! that glorious sis
terhood upon whom had anchored, as
were, my hopes, was to me the harbinge
of life, the ark of safety from the storm
"Do you wonder n ow that the glitter
ing of the waves is to, me but as darl
shadow, and that shul9der as l gaze int
that fearful deptha An3 do you deem
marvel that I should turn away m,
glance from the waves below to the skie
above, where, pictured in brightness, glim