Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-10
THE PLEIADES.
A TRUE TALE OF THE SEA.

TWAS lovely night, " the moon,
parting aside the light clouds D that
foated in the heavens, peered forth with
hor brilliant face. The sea sparkling, be-
meath her earnest glance, seemed like one
casket of gems each ripple appeared a
diamond, and from each billuWy wave
cleaned forth "the ever-changing opal's
light" Truly Luna had never more
g shining bath in which to lave" than on
this ght. For hours l had stood watching
"the sea of fire" as it appeared in its bril-
liancy. [ had never recollected seeing it
more dazzling bright; and calling to Hen
ry NJ, who was standing near, | invited
him to share the glorious spectacle with
me, He came, [ thought, rather reiuc-
family and after giving one rapid glance,
turned coldly away. I followed him, for
I 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, [
gathered from him the following incident:
at is some years since the vessel then
belonged to was taking in a cargo of sugar
a 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
" 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, with mighty power, hurting MS
from our places with giants strength
Oh 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. / had caught two
pieces of timber that were floating past,
and in that manner sustained myself, for
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
a sail, and striving to keep up each others
fast-drooping spirits. AS long as saw my
companions near, | felt buoyed up, and
continued to combat with the waves. But
the fearful agony of that moment | shall
never forget, when looking again at the
spot where | had last seen them tossing
wildly their hands, as if imploring aid, /
found that they had disappeared. I called
aloud, implOred them to answer only
one word, [ said, to tell me that l am not
all alone-alone on this horrible deep
But, O my God, my God! (said the speak
CT, overcome by his emotion no voice re-
piled, they were gone, gone. The waves
had opened and -engulfed them. Yes, [
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. 10 add to my
horrors, night threw her mantle over
f., q earth and sea, and soon its shad-
ows ,,arkened all around. 1t was the t1rst
- - artor 1.-THE moon, and oh how looked
Il 4 n anJ blesse,l1 her as she hung out her bril-
liant crescent. ike silver boat launched
on boundless food.
While I lay gazing MP to heaven, and
God for even this little ray OF
light, which was enough to enable me TO
distinguish surrounding objects, l saw
shark moving its ponderous form toward
me. | felt as if Invested of all powers OF
volition, and it seemed as if | had been
shared the fate of my companions to meet
with this more horrible death. Slowly
he creature advanced, and remained per-
d ctIv motionless at a little distance, watch
no me. Ibent my gaze upon it, and kept
It fixed steadily; itmoved not, neither dia