The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-23

vious to his pouncing upon it. l thought
be might strike my head, and my woes
would be ended; be might alight and tear
me piece by piece with his strong-hooked
bill. The terronof the waters was merged
in that Of my new enemy and such is man,
that, though had reconciled myself to the
one, felt my courage and resolution rise
within me when / saw visible and tangi'
bic enemy to grapple with. Ills circles
round me became more and more narrow
and, as he descended, seized my open
knife. This precaution was, doubtless, un-
necessary. The bird probably only wanted
to ascertain what strange inhabitant Of the
waters now appeared to it. Still, however,
it kept up its surveillance, receding now by
large circles, and again approaching me,
only again to betake itself to greater dis
tance, and again to renew its approach. /
cannot tell how long this continued but a
full hour, at least, must have passed-dur-
ing all which time remained under the un-
accountable apprehension that | would, un-
less defended myself, fall victim to this
gigantic bird of prey. At length he took a
long sweep, and / saw him sailing away on
his solitary journey, as if be despised the
poor object he had left alone on the waste
of waters.
From the scorching rays upon the exposed
part of my body, began to suffer much,
and my thirst became excessive; my strength
gradually declined, and ey the time the sun
reached his meridian, had again made up
my mind to my fate, commencing my soul
to its Maker, through ny Redeemer. /
closed my eyes, as l thought, for ever upon
earthly things. l had lain thus only a
short time, when, raising myself up as far
as | could upon my raft, and gazing around
upon what thought was to be my tomb, an
involuntary cry of joy burst from me.
There was vessel in sight; my weakness
and misery were forgot. | saw them lower
a boat; and from that moment my mind be-
came tumult of thoughts and sensations,
which have often since attempted in vain
to analyse. The horrors of my late situa-
ton were still upon me, and could with
difficulty persuade myself that my delivery
was real.
So exquisitely soothing was the feeling
that now possessed me, that | feared to
open my eyes or move, lest should break
the spell that was upon me, and awaken
in the misery had SO lately endured. But
| even tired of enjoyment, for my position
became irksome | attempted to turn but
the effort was so painful, that groan es
oaped me. A gentle hand wiped the pres
piration from my brow, and inquired if |
wished to be turned. The sound of that
voice was like beam Of light upon my be-
wildered mind. | opened my eyes, and
saw a young female in widows weeds
standing by the side Of my cot
Generous being," said, "is it to you
that owe my deEverance p
A sad smile passed over her face as she
gazed at me, and said, 81 am happy to see
you restored to recollection but you must
not speak" And she gently withdrew
from the side of the cot.
wished much to make inquiries; but
felt 50 weak that did not persist, but sunk
again into the same dreamy state. 1t is of
no use detailing the events of the few days
that were passed in this helpless state. By
the kind nursing of the female and the
kindness Of the captain, | slowly recovered,
and learned that, by the merest accident, i
had been discovered by them as foatcd
upon the waves and that, had not been
seen to move when ] had raised myself up,
they would have passed me; and that |
was now on board the Betsy and Ann Of
Leith, bound from Quebec to that port.
My heart overfowed with love and graft
tude to that merciful God who had deliver
ed me for what the kind captain called ac-
cident, l felt in my heart was loving kind
ness; now | firmly believe there is no
such thing as what men call chance or ac-
cident. We are taught by Scripture that all
things are ordered and directed by the Gre
ator of the universe, from the fall Of spar
row to the fall Of an empire; and, in the
eye of Omnipotence, nothing is great or
small, all being directed to one great end.
was now able to leave my cot for a
short time, but not the cabin. The young
widow was ever by my side, to minister to
my wants. I felt much for her sorrows,
which she bore with pious resignation but
l had no power to minister to her comforts
as my gratitude prompted me, when | OBJ
served her, as lay in my cot, weeping in
silence, when she thought me asleep. Il was
the third day after was picked up, as |
sat in the cabin, and felt myself much re-
covered, that / gave her an account of my
leaving home, and my adventures since.
She sat and listened with interest, and
seemed much affected by my account of my
friend, James Walden. She sighed heavily
as proceeded, and her tears fell fast.
When / mentioned his untimely death, she
uttered piercing cry, and fell insensible
upon the floor. | cried loudly for help
and her servant and the captain, who were
on deck, came quickly to my aid. After
some time she recovered, but was SO i'll that
she was forced to be put to bed by her
maid. Her mind seemed quite unsettled
by what had said of my friends death ;
for she spoke strangely and incoberently,
unconscious Of what she uttered often re-
peating, "James, | shall never see you
more. How could hope9 | wished, but
dared not hope, humbled as was-yet
frown not on me SO ! am more to be pitied
than hated" Thus she continued during
the greater part Of the day.
Towards evening. she became more com
posed, but was 50 i'll that she could moi
leave the state-room without the support Of
her servant, which she did contrary to the
remonstrances Of the captain only reply
ing
''What is life now to me but dreary
blank? o that | were at rest under these
rolling waves? 0 Mr.. Elder have you
strength to tell me all you know Of james
before my heart bursts could myself
have went but her ewes were dry. vel