National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-10-14

the greater part of our provisions had
fioated away, at the time when every
thought had been devoted to keeping
afoat. The biscuit was saturated and
We were all cold and benumbed with being
so long shivering in the water. 1t almost
seemed to chill our very hearts, when,
upon examination being made of each
bag and cask of provision, they, were,
without exception, found to have been
DESTROYED by exposure
Looking Will not mend it, my LADS"
said the captain, bravely. LET MS be
hopeful, and fight through it all as well
as we can. Never despair and recollect
that we have charge here to save as
well as ourselves"
He pointed to me as he spoke, and
the men gave faint cheer, as, III accord,
with his orders, the sail was once more
well hoisted, the boat trimmed, and we
Were once more skimming over the sea.
did not know it then, but / learned
it afterwards, that my share of the food
and water had been augmented by the
half of Gives, and it seems that he was
dying, and that / was to lose my sole
protector. | flung myself flantically at
his feet, and tried to speak ; but my
mouth was parched and dry / looked
around for help, but it was only to gaze
upon four impassive stony figures, whose
fixed and heavy eyes responded not to
my appeal. There was smile, though
upon poor Gives face as he felt my arm
Gasp him, and slipping from his seat,
lower and lower. he sat at last III the
bottom of the boat with his head resting
upon my breast, while the sign of content
that he gave sent a shudder through me,
for my heart whispered that it was his
last.
Throw some water in his face-moist-
Ell his hair" whispered a harsh voice,
which | did not recognise AS the cap
tains ; But tried to obey it, and bathed
my husbands forehead. though appar-
entity without any effect, for he lay motion
less, his arms lightly circling me, and
his eyes half closed and then it was,
that with my bodily power momentarily
growing weaker, my mental faculties
seemed to become more active, and my
tears fell fast, as | thought how hard il
was for him so young and brave to die
thus early. At times | asked myself
whether | was TO blame whether | ought
not to have dissuaded him accepting hi
post-to have been content with les,
brilliant prospects at home felt that
it was for my sake he had accepted it.
and this was to be the end
A line of bright golden mist, with {
red-hot globe seeming to scorch my head
and line of dense black darkness, the
one mingled with and running into the
other. Then pleasant visions of greer
fields and bubbling streams, with deli
cious melting fruits hanging over the
bright glistening waters. Then the olC
days, with Give half-supporting me a,
we wandered in the pleasant lanes, talk,
ing Of the happy future. Then, again
golden glowing haze, and the burning
heat. tn muttering voices, the soft tiut
tering of the sail and then once more
the black darkness, mingled now with til,
kissing rs of mighty winds /; and then i
seemed as if my bead sank upon m,
husbands neck, and then | went t,
sleep.
And it was SO but it was almost thC
long sleep of death and so near ha,
been the end that it was not until aite
days of unremitting attention that reasol
, returned, and | found that was ly z il
cot in dimly shaded cabin. For
long time | could not realize the past
could not understand where | was. Their
was heaving motion of a vessel, tn
" waSh-waSh of the water hurrying 10y
and occasionally heavy footstep upoi
the deck overhead But mt last came
sign, apparently close at hand, followe,
, 10y n rustling noise and turning m
, curious eyes IN the direction, it was fo
, them to encounter my husbands face
t but so carcworn, pallid, and anxious a
, to be almost unrccognisable. The mex
8 moment my feeble arms were aroun
r his neck, and the tears of thankfulnes
were flowing, for | knew We were saved
Saved. indeed but how near had bee
! our end may be OWNED when | relat
! that the merchantman which picked II
i, up passed us in the night &: but the whit
. sail of our boat attracted the attentio
+ of n sailor and upon the vessels cours
4 being changed, the impression at fir,
/ was that the duty to be performed WI
. to afford Christian burial-a rite, iudee,
4 needed 10y the three sailors Captai
= Webster and the second-mate being I'll
i only other survivors.
- A month later. weak. and the shadow
4 Of our former selves, We were landed {
Il Madras. the destination of the yess
r which had picked us up and soon atte
Y but with many Shiyer of dread, we r.
i embarked. to reach Java in safety.
il was not for many months that rccove
4 ed from u strange nervous depression
,. whose effect was constantly Ia bril
u before me, in all the vividness of realit
- those terrible hours which SCENE
# shrouded in Il golden haze, whose score
~ ing heat burned and wasted the Ii
within me. But 10y degrees came r
stored health and the calmncss
" strengthened nerves. We learned afte
- wards that the two boats with the ere
" were also picked mp, after many days
I" fearful suffering, similar TO that whit
had marked with indelible lines Il
~ forehead of my husband. A glance
:, any time is sufficient to bring back
!. memory our fearful experience, and q
y manner IN which we were Saved fro
Death.
EDrroRs AND PoLfrICs. Says q
y Louisville Cow1r-JohUpdi: "Thc ior
VI nalist who wants Office mistakes his ca