OCR Text |
Show 86 N .A.RRATIVE OF safety, Mary, is the cause of my present anxiety. I do not doubt your preparation for eternity, but I am not willing to resign yon yet to the companionslrip of angels. If you perish beneath these billowR, and I survive, my hope for happiness in this life is bhstctl. What is to be beyond the grave I know not; and my religion concerns the life that now is. I must make the best of time, and leave eternity to be taken account of wl1cn I am fairly launched into it. Per· haps enjoying this world with you, I mig\Jt Jearn from you to prepare for eternity. At present my care must be to get my dear Mary safely over this trcacl1 erous occnn.11 rrhc SUll 110\\' SUnk beneath the \YCStCTU horizon. The variegated colors of the sky were rapidly com· mingl ing into one dense canopy of gloom. rrhc passengers earnestly inquired of the cnptain about the prospect. lie hoped to run into tl>e port of \Vilmington, but he exhorted them to have brave hca1·ts for the danger was imminent. The storm was rapidly increasing. All urged tl>at the 1""'''" .. , or steam be increased \o the utmost capat·itl· ol· the boat. 0, what an anxious crowd were upon the deck of that steamer, as they strained their eyes towanls the ALBERT A.ND MARY. 87 land, and anon lost their balance by the dashing of . the billows! The lightning played with terrific splen· dor, a1tcrnating with the blackness of the heavens i and the roar of the w:1ves wa.q only hushed by tho awful artillery of tLc skies. Mary wos sitting where Albert lmd directed, awaiting with great calmness the result of the storm. Albert carefully fastened her w'ith a cord to the box, having first placed beneath her arms the life. prescrvc1·. Placing another 1ifc.prcserver around himself, he stood by Mary's side with watchful anxiety. Suddenly a heavy sea th rew the boat forcibly to one sitlc, and Albert mechanically stretching forth his hand to save himself, accidentally got caught in the rope that he. had cntwinccl about the box, and with Mary was tos3cd into the sea and overwhelmed with the waves. 'rhe steamer was several hundred yards ahead of them before Albert succcccled in adjusting his posi· lion to maintain a good l1old upon the box. His first thought was to examine how Mary wn.s situated. 'Jlhc lightning gave him sufficient as.surance tl1at she was alive ancl unhurt. At that moment a dreaclfnl explosion directed their eyes towards the steamer, . |