The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-23
Tk LES OF THE BORDERS
THE MAN OF WARS MAN.
BY JOHN HoWRLL.
TCONCLUDED. I

oONCLUDED.
when rose to the surface, stunned and
confused, the water was Kissing in my ears,
aAd my mouth full Of blood. | attempted
tC call out for help; but my efforts were
vfin. My tongue was unfit for its Office
| only uttered unintelligible sounds, not to
ID distinguished amidst the noise Of the
wives. Still hope was strong in me, for !
9, nld hear the cries on deck, ga man over.
b4ard ~ though ! could distinguish no OBJ
jopt in the darkness. The sounds became
faint and more faint. The vessels way "a
50 great, she shot from the spot like bird
ard | could at intervals see the lights that
they had hung out as | rose to the top Of
Il Ete waves, which | bufeted with all my en-
eA Agies. The frigate bad evidently laid to.
estrove to make for the lights. saw, far
altern, boat had been lowered, and hope
again braced my nerves. Could | have
called out, had been saved for heard
their voices shouting for me, and even the
lash Of their oars but was dumb. Ny
L Dgue had almost instantly swelled so as to
FIJI my mouth yet still struggled amidst
4e waves to reach the source Of the sounds.
At that moment they could not have been
many yards distant from me, if | could have
iIdged from the distinctness with which i
beard them call. At last they ceased for
few minutes, as if in consultation. Mo
bent Of horrid agony! was in the grasp
inevitable death, and those who were
snxious for my rescue were within hail, and
chat hail could not utter. The struggle
for life is not easily terminated, and my ex-
crtions we're almost superhumAn. A flash,
and the report Of a gun now fell on my
ears and it came as my doom it was q
signal for the boats to return. felt as il
py arms had become pOwerless. My heart
iled, and was sinking, when again the
4troke of the oars revived me. Again |
attempted to shout-vain effort "Poor
Elder % heard uttered by my shipmates,
amidst the sweltering Of the waves that
we're about to engulf me. The oar dip
Aad gradually died away and where was
Tired and exhausted, and almost suffo-
ated by the water and blood that flowed
from my tongue, turned upon my back,
but sunk deep i'll the water from the weight
bf my jacket and trousers, and thus f1oated
at the will of the swell, that often almost
turned me over. attempted to pray, but
but could not collect my thoughts. All |
could say was "Lord be merciful to me-a
sinner !" / almost felt as if already dead ;
for all energy had fled, both mental and
bodily; and the little did to place me on
hmy back, when the surge turned me over
seemed the involuntary efforts Of sinking
nature. In this state l was aroused from
Imy stupor by coming in contact with hard
body. | stretched forth one of my hands
which had been crossed upon my breast, ,anG
! grasped it with the energy Of despair. i
was large hencOOp. which had been throw
over in the hope that l might reach it unit
the boat arrived New life began to reviv'
/ in my heart. l got upon it; and, taking
my silk neckerchief from my neck, whicl
I fortunately had on when fell, lashed my
self to it. My thoughts now became, il
some degree, collected, and slight bean
cheered the gloom of that fearful night, as
floated, miserable speCk Of human nature
\ on that boundless, unfathOmable waste o
troubled waters. / thought that was no
forgot by my Creator, who had in his mere,
sent me this assurance in my last extremity
frail as it was, to be the means of my de
liverance. 1t was now that my whole sou
poured forth in prayer and tears, MOTTO
anguish, but Of love and gratitude, Aowe'
from my eyes, as was drifed along befor
the wind, and tossed by the waves. Tbroug
that long and dreadful night, nothing bu
this pious feeling could have sustained me
for my limbs were benumbed and cramped
my tongue still almost filled mJ mouth an
panied me.
Day at length dawDed but it did nc
bring with il renewed hope. had praye
and longed for it, in the expectation tha
| might be seen and picked up by some vet
sci but my heart did not rise in my bosor
as the beams of the sun shot over the wa
ters around me. No sight met my eye
but the sky, bounded at short distanc
around by my low position in the water
The breeze had considerably abated, the Sc
was much smoother, and the fears of lin
gering death by hunger and thirst began
assail me. As the morning advanced, M
faith in my deliverance began TO fail, an
terrible thoughts crowded upon my mind.
trembIe yet when / revert to them. ]
seemed as if the great tempter Of mankin
had been with me in this hour of trial, an
whispered in my ears thoughts foreign I
my nature. ! even began to doubt th
mercy and GOODNESS Of God despair wa
again busy with me, and my clasp knii
suggested short and ready remedy for m
misery. ] clutched it in my hand, an
opened it but my band was stayed no
feelings had again undergone revolution
| dropped the instIumen and wept
now thought l heard rushing sound
! the air, and looked up. An immense alb
trOss, with bis huge extended wings, vi
,, suspended over me, attracted BY the straDe
) sight l exhibited. In any other situation
would | have been alarmed at the sight Of
bird |? Now, my heart sunk when | sa
: the creature cirClng high above my heAt