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returning, when a sudden change in the weather compel led him to give up that intention for the present.

The storm, instead of abating, gradually encreased, till its violence became tremendous, and from the mischief it did the vessel, universal terror began to prevail, aggravated by all hope of receiving succour from the rest of the fleet, should it be required, being precluded by the darkness of the night at length, after several hours of horror, day began to dawn, but only to increase the general consternation, by permitting the vessel to be seen dismantled in every direction, separated entirely from the rest of the fleet, and driving rapidly towards a ridge of rocks on the Spanish coast; and in a short time there were but few on board who did not think their death inevitable. Of this number was Osmond, and with fervour he recommended his spirit to Him who gave it, and in whose awful presence he imagined himself on the point of appearing; a few tears dropped from him at the moment, for in imagination he heard the frenzied shrieks, of his mother and sister, the hollow groans of his father, when tidings of this disasterous fate should reach them.

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'Oh, God!' he mentally exclaimed, as his soul sickened at the thoughts of what their sufferings would be on receiving the intelligence, support them in the trying hour that brings it to their knowledge; let them not, I conjure thee, too acutely feel....too deeply mourn my fate,'

The horrors of the scene surpassed any his imagination had ever pictured to him; the sea rolled tremendously high, the heaving billows, that dashed against the sides of the labouring vessel, threatened every instant to in gulph it; the mingling sounds of the angry elements resembled the doleful shrieks of unquiet spirits; and issu ing from heavy and portentous clouds, the blue and forked lightning now gleamed upon the surface of the troub led deep, now quivered round the vessel, or darted past it, like a threatning meteor from the angry heavens.

At length the ship struck; the boats were immediately launched, and quickly filled; but Osmond was not among those they bore from the wreck; he was an excel

lent swimmer, and, on finding it impossible to gain a place in either of them, resolved on committing himself to the deep, and accordingly plunged into it.

After contending some time with the waves, his strength became exhausted, and he was quietly resigning himself to the fate that seemed inevitable, when a wave suddenly raised him up, and threw him on a rock. For a few minutes he lay incapable of motion, then coming a little to himself, and perceiving the dangerous situation he was in, he made an effort to clamber higher up, and, though not without the utmost difficulty, succeeded in nearly reaching the summit.

Here he again lay some time outstretched and motionless, completely overcome by fatigue and agitation. When again able to raise his head, he cast a look of mingled hope and apprehension towards the sea; the wreck was still in sight, but no other vessel; in which many of the crew and passengers remained, for whose safety the heart of Osmond became agonized.

'Good God!' he almost franticly exclaimed, 'is there no way of saving them?' He looked eagerly towards the land, but though he beheld an extensive tract of country, he saw not a human being.

That there were inhabitants near the coast, he could not, however, avoid thinking; and flattering himself he should be able by his supplications to induce them to make an effort for the preservation of his fellow-sufferers, he descended the rock as speedily as possible, and on getting, though not without very great difficulty and danger, over some shallows and sandy ridges, which divided it from the main land, struck into a path that appeared to be a beaten one, and was separated from the open beach by a series of beetling cliffs, in which a yawning chasm here and there afforded him an opportunity of still seeing the element, which was so near becoming his tomb.

'Can I better manifest my gratitude for my narrow escape,' he said to himself, as humanity and benevolence, spite of bruises, sickness, and weariness, impelled him forward, than by straining every nerve....nay, risking W

life itself, for the sake of so many of my fellow-crea

tures.'

He tried for his purse, and had the satisfaction of finding it still within his pocket, as, by having the means of rewarding in some degree the exertions he required, he trusted he should not solicit them in vain.

The signals of distress, which the vessel had commenced firing from the moment it was in danger, now became more frequent; but in vain did the flash of the guns gleam upon the waves....in vain did the hollow cliffs reverberate their loud report....no one approached the shore.

At length a long interval ensued without their being repeated, and despair, equal to that to which he imputed their cessation, took possession of the heart of Osmond....he dreaded glancing towards the sea; his incertitude, however, in a little time became too agonizing to be borne.... he rushed forward to an aperture in the rocks....he shrieked....the vessel was scarcely perceptible....and the next instant two tremendous waves came rolling towards it....they met, they mingled, and overwhelmed it for ever from his sight.

'Oh God!' exclaimed Osmond, as with a deep groan he sunk fainting on the sand.

On regaining his sensibility, he involuntarily raised himself from the ground, and was somewhat pleased and surprised as he did so, to perceive a little sun-burnt blackeyed boy, about six years old, standing beside him, with a countenance full of curiosity.

Osmond had learned a little Spanish from his mother, and, as he patted the head of the smiling child, addressed him in that language, desiring to know whether there was any habitation at hand.

The child listened to him attentively, but, on his ceasing to speak, gave him to understand he did not comprehend him, and this caused Osmond to recollect, that the Spanish tongue in its purity was but little known in the province of Biscay, in which he then was....recollecting, however, at the same time, the constant intercourse that was kept up between the Biscayners and the inhabit

ants of the other side of the Pyrenees, and conceiving from this circumstance he might know something of French, he tried him in that language.

Again, however, the child shook his head, but at the same moment laughed and clapped his hands, as if much delighted; then suddenly laying hold of Osmond's arm, pointed to a little distance from them; and Osmond pursuing the direction of his finger, beheld an elderly man, among the rocks drawing a net to shore.

He immediately approached him, and inferring, from the significant gestures of the child, that he understood French, accosted him in it, and had the happiness of not finding himself mistaken.

The man returned his salutation with much courtesy, and suspending his labour, turned an attentive ear to the relation Osmond proceeded to give him, of the dreadful catastrophe which had thrown him upon his coast; and on his concluding, said, with a melancholy look, that he had the heartfelt anguish of witnessing it; adding, • that if any hopes had been entertained of being able to save the sufferers, efforts would have been made for the purpose.'

6

I see, my friend,' cried Osmond, I have been fortunate in meeting with you; after what I have told you, I am convinced it is unnecessary to tell you I need repose, either, from the manner in which you have expressed yourself, to use entreaty with you to assist me in obtaining it.'

CHAP. XI.

'Since every man who lives is born to die,
And none can boaft sincere felicity,

With equal mind what happens let us bear,

Nor joy nor grieve too much for things beyond our care,
Like pilgrims to th' appointed place we tend,
The world's an inn, and death the journey's end.
Ev'n kings but play, and when their part is done,
Some other, worse or better, mount the throne.'

DRYD. PAL. and ARY.

TRUE, Signor,' replied the fisherman, after what you have gone through, you must, indeed, stand in need of rest, and God forbid that I did not render you every assistance in my power. The nearest inn is at Santillana, about three leagues from this; but if you can put up with homely accommodation, I can give you a lodging in my cottage hard by, as you may perceive, the smoke which rises above yonder clump of chesnut trees proceeding from it.

Osmond, gladly as well as gratefully, accepted this offer, there being an air of good-nature and honesty about the man, that rendered him pleased at the thoughts of obtaining shelter from him.

As he stood waiting beside him till he had hauled in his net, he enquired, but with fear and trembling, whether he could tell him any thing of the boats that had been launched from the wreck?

'Don't ask me, Signor,' was the reply.

Ah, then,' exclaimed Osmond, clasping his hands. together, 'I see how it is.'

We must submit to the will of Heaven,' returned the other.

'Tell me....tell me cried Osmond, grasping him by the arm, are you positive of their fate?"

"Well, Signor, since so anxious to know, I will tell you, though sore against my inclination, for I see you are in sufficient trouble already; the boats bulged a little way from the wreck, and all on board perished.'

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