The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-23

| the rocks to the southwark, and was
drowned. They would have made search
for his body, hut the other vessels had sc,
sail, and the captain was forced in great
distress of mind, unwillingIy to weigh
anchor"
We can imagine the flash of guilty Joy
and relief that, at first, filled Whiting's
breast at thus being rid of his enemy.
Then. as the ship sailed out into, the ocean,
he remembered that this man was his friend,
and that he was left there forever. There
was no possibility that he could ever es-
cape. The island was savage wilderness,
out OF tho usual track of vessels. 1t was
murder--murder by starvation.
''Then was besct by great terror and
agony, he says. 81 also thought that |
| saw dark figure on the shore holding out
his hands to the vessel. would have asked
the captain to return, but dared not, know
| ing that 1t was impossible for him to do
So"
There is no ecord of Truefelts condition
| after he awoke and found himself deserted
| on this rock in the midst of the sea- He
sustained life. we are told, by means of the
! fruit and roots which grew abundantly on
the island. There are one or two notes
only that the diary gives of Trucfclt's ex-
perlence during his solitary life, which
lasted for nearly a year.
Ellis great fear was that he should lose
the power of speech, and he was used to
practice himself therein, singing and talk
ing, in different voices as it were, 50 that
one might suppose. to hear him, that he
had many companions"
And again: 'tF1nding cat which had
escaped probably, from some ship, he
trained it and made it his constant compan-
ION. And he was wont to think over the
many hundreds of his friends and acquain-
tanccs; their wit, their excellent parts,
their virtues, and the affection they bore
him, and to reproach himself in that he
had not been more grateful, saying, 'Out
of the full world of living things, there is
left to Inc only the harry limbs and dumb
tongue of this poor little beast"
Truefclt must have possessed womanly,
gentle nature. He does not appear to have
cherished any bitterness or plan of revenge
against Whiting; his sole feeling seemed to
be intense self-pity.
Dr. Whiting, returning home, married,
aud lived in luxury. But his health failed
He grew to be the mere skeleton of his for
mer self. He gave up hls connection with
the church. neglected his patients, and be-
came prey to an intractable gloom.
At last he announced to his wife that he
must make sea-voyage; that he was about
to die, and God had given him work to
do before death. AS soon as she consented
to this (she thinking him to be insane), he
partially regaincd his former energy, and
vigorously set on foot preparations for his
voyage.
Now here is the strange part Of the story.
The night before the ship was to sail, DR..
Whiting, returning home, was compelled
to pass through lonely part of the town,
where tho streets abuttcd On the forest.
Within the borders of the wood he saw a
man, apparently unarmed, beset by two
rutnans Highwaymen were common in
those days in the larger colonial towns.
DIR. Whiting al once attacked the thieves,
and laid about him with sword cane
which he carried.
The ruflans fled. but not before they
had stabbed him through the breast. AS
he fell, the traveller whom he had defended
caught him and supported him until the
tardy watch came.
The stranger was Trucfclt Dr. Whiting,
lpsensible from loss of blood, did not rec
ognizo HIM. Truefelt's emotions would be
a strange study as he stood there holding
in his arms the man who had tried to muir
der him, and now had saved his life. He
did not make himself known until he had
helped the watch to carry Whiting to the
stoop Of his own house.
Then he said, s'You have rlskcti your
life to save mine. You know what you
owed me. think We can 60 scot-free of
each other" And ending this singular
homily with a laugh, withdrew.
TruefclL, it appears, had been rescued by
some vessel, and brought to q Northern
port, from which he had found his way
home. Whiting gave up his voyage lie
recovered his health and with 1T his spirlte.
After year or two, the men renewed their
old intimacy, but they were known as more
sober, honest, God fearing citizens than.
they had been formerly. The truth OF the
strange story was never revealed until both
were dead.