Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-02-03
on my last day, to take over to SAM

canvas back, and, as it was getting
dark, Twas compelled to pack up my
stools and git.
II had started for home and was
nearly midway between the Tousaint e
creek and Crane creek getting over
little islands of soft mud, when saw
! fine pair of eanvas>backs swi mining
toward me.
'My gun was loaded, so I laid down
to see ifthey would come near enough
for me to get shot at them On they
came until within about thirty rods of
me; then l raised myself and took aim
they rose on the wing and l fired. One
dropped dead at once, but the drake, all
though l had hit him, was sailing off,
when suddenly he dropped, too, little
further off. You'd better believe I was
pleased so, having my wading boots
on, 4 got out of my boat and started to
wade for them, leaving my boat on the
mud.
GAS I knew most every inch of the
ground, the coming darkness didn t
scare me. foundered on through the
mud and water, got my ducks, and was
coming back, when, before | knew
what was the matter, [ was down in
the soft mud waist deep. I struggled
violently, but only splashed the watery
black mud into my face, sinking deeper
and deeper all the time.
"You cannot imagine my thoughts
knew that if could not extricate
myself death was inevitable. The
wind was blowing strong from the east,
forcing the water back from the lake
up the creek and into the numerous
channels and ponds which constitute
the marsh. | could hear the dull heavy
roar of the lake surf as it beat upon
the shore l shouted for help, but my
voice was only uttered back in mockery
none heard, for none were near me-
Again l struggled with the mud, and
again sank deeper.
Il was doomed man: the water
was rising and | must drown. was
in q perspiration with my efforts, and
was tired, but the tn ought of life was
so sweet that continued to exert my
self to be free, when something came
ND to the surface Of the water with a
Gun Cling, bubbling sound | put out
my hand and grabbed it, and found t
was mass of rags. Presently it turn
ed over, and then, oh, horror! saw it
was the half decomposed form of hui
man being shall never forget the
sight of that haggard, half putrid face.
1t scenes to look straight TO roe. and
it's arms were outstretched toward NE
as II for help.
MY soul sickened with tie sight,
and turned my head away in loathing
and disgust. The foul sntl! nearly saf
located me, and vet | could not flee
from ii, but al last was forced to push
the horril thing away from ME into the
deeper water 1t seemed to liigef
around me and look toward me with
reproachful gaze, but l shut my eyes
and buried my head in my hands to
bar out the terrible sight. When |
again looked for it, saw that it had
fioatea off.
"Was it a vision-a presentiment of
| death 1t seemed too dreadful to be
true. Was | to become like that, a
mass of corruption? Was l to sink
out of sight and have no friend to try
and save me, none to know even
where I was?
"Alas, it seemed so, for the water
had risen up to my shoulders and the
wind was blowing fearfully, and driving
up the water quicker and quicker to in
sure my doom. My limbs were getting
beuumbed by the cold; my head swan
like top, and my senses seemed leav-
ing me.
ooh! you can't tell what dreadful
thing it seemed to be cut off in the prime
of life | had tried to live an honest,
upright life, doing my duty to my
neighbor aud to Heaven, and now j
was to perish in this miserable manner.
1t seemed very hard Many were Inv
ing low, dissolute, dishonest lives, and
were permitted to live on and enjoy
a life of self pleasure. |, who was
the only support of my poor, dear
mother, had to be taken away. Who
should carry the news TO her and my
intended wife? The tears came to my
eyes and l tried to pray, but not a
word of petition could l frame.
| "Meanwhile, the water had gained
my neck. All would soon be over.
| tried to be calm and resign myself TO
my fate, for | had given up all hope OF
life. 1t would want but few min
utes to complete the work, but in that
few minutes many years passed over
my head. Things done and forgotten
long, long ago, flashed before my eyes ;
all my life passed before me as PIANO
rama.
$50 and ask the poor wretch who is
4 -. xl.......l A., die hxr tho Ernla. h