The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-18

nhu phShGu up lOE my ube " CuNplp VI
days before. I drank the brandy and
munched the biscuits, and felt again
hopeful. Six hoursl Why, In that
time help might come. Death was no
longer imminent.
But was entirely wrong, The strong
southwesterly gales had piled up the
waters about the mouth OF the estuary,
so that the ebb was checked, and tie
flood increased, and the tide ran ont
only some three hours. 1 must have
been longer lying on the sand, too, than
had calculated, for, rs watched the
waters hurrying down on each side OF
me, I noticed that the current seemed
TO slacken oil of q sudden; then IL
stopped, so that fragment Of bleached
wood that was floating downward came
TO n rest, then moved slowly once more
upwards. The tide had turned.
In very short time the oxpanse OF
waters before me, TINT had Just now
seemed broad river outlet, scored and
marked with sand-bnnks, assumed the
appearance OF m ngitated sea. Short
waves hurried along, their white crests
cleaning in the moonlight; they came
in serried lines, tier over tier; the
hoarse roar OF the advancing tide re.
verbented in the air, mingling in my
brain with tho strange rattle us OF bells
that never ceased to jNngle therein,
How remorseless they seemed, those
waves hurrying up, likeA hounds who
view their prey 4 And yet It was n
solemn scene; and what there was OF
dignity and grandeur in the sight half
reeonciled me 10 the thought that my
life would be swallowed up ere long in
these advancing battalions OF serriel
waves; for now the bitterness OF death
was past its terrors had vanished; I
felt profound sadness-that was all.
How far could I climbup these Shiny,
slippery posts and buttresses, that
seemed to mock me with their lying
proffers OF safety2 A couple OF cross.
beams or ties wliiGh bound together tho
lower ends OF the piers, afforded at their
intersection sort Of angular resting
place, where I could, for n time perhaps,
lind refuge from the waves. This was
fur below high.water mark, so that to
reach ii would only give me short re.
spite from my final agony; but, for all
that, l determined to attempt 1t. As soon
as the water covered the little island on
which stood, I would try to climb this
slippery beam, that rose from the sand,
in which it was partly buried, ut an IN.
gle OF about forty.ive degrees.
With the tide rose the wind; with the
wind came ruin and fog. Tho moon,
blurred and indistinct, shone family for
awhile, md then vanished altogether,
although her difrused light still made
everything darkly visible. Soon the
waves were dashing ut my feet, the sand
a pulp beneath them. Now was the
time to make my last effort for little
more life. But 1 found that had over
rated my own powers. l crawled few
feet up the slippery timber; then l fell
back. Again l tried and again; but 1t
was OF no use. Strength does not come
of eager desire to be strong. All that I
could do was to clasp my arms round
the beam, and stand upright, awaiting
the coming Of the waters.
The water rose, not gradually, but in
pulses. Smaller waves came aud went,
and left no clange Of level but every
now and then some heavier, fercer bill
low would come in with devouring
sweep, covering me with its foam and
spray, receding again, but ut each re-
cession leaving greater depth OF sway
ing. .liie.like water. These attacks, like
bullets from the hand OF some skilled
boxer, left me weaker and weaker at
| I1AsRs AY.I 70 10 ia
too, the water. It would draw away for
u time, leaving me free almost to my
knees; and then, as il driven by some
sudden impulse, it would gather itself
up, and returninagreat seething swathe
OF water that would swallow me up from
head 10 foot. ~ &c
The end was fast coming now. Ihad
ceased TO feel anything. Only dogged
determination to stick to life TO the last,
kept me clinging to my beam. 3
But, what was that sound? A long
and piercing scream, roar, and rum
BILE, and n rattle-it was anengine?
An engine coming along the complet-
ed part OF the bridge, shrieking and
screaming, and dashing out great watts
OF white steam into the stormy air. The
sound gave me fresh life and yigor.
Human creatures were within reach, at
all events. II could make them hear
me, might yet be saved.
The engine came slowly along, and I
heard the voices OF men shouting to one
another. Why, then, should they not
hear me7 1 tried, too, to shout, but my
voice stuck in my throat. l couldn,
mike undlouderthan whisper, nor
not with all the goodwill / had TO shout
like an archangel.
The engine came 10 near at Inst that l
could see the glow Of her fires through
the interstices Of the flooring Of the
bridge. And now there were men stand
ing with lanterns nt the very extremity
Of the bridge and still could not
make them hear. ... ."-'
For IN instant the glad thought had
struck me that I had beenanissed, and
that these men had come TO look for
me; but the next moment / saw the
folly OF the idea. Days might elapse
before my fate was known. | was not
even yet beyond the time I had fixed
for reaching home. No the men were
railway workmen, perhaps going to q
shift on the bridge; and / couldn't
make them hear. I5 pl1 I.H
Suddenly l heard a sharp quick bark,
and then growl as OF anger or inquiry,
and l was conscious that there was q
dog with the men above, The dogs
faculties were keener than the mems;
perhaps II was possible that I might
make him hear so I barked, shrill
swapping bark, with which ! had often
deceived my own terrier, Jack. The