6. The highwayman looked at him, was silent, and went off· and, at the time appointed, actually waited on the archbishop, received the money, and assured his lordship that he hoped his words had left impressions which no inducement could ever efface. Nothing more transpired of him for a year and a half; when, one morning, a person knocked at his grace's gate, and, with a peculiar earnestness of voice and countenance, desired to see him.

7. The archbishop ordered the stranger to be introduced. He had scarcely entered the room, when his countenance changed, his knees tottered, and he sunk almost breathless on the floor. On recovering, he requested an audience in private. This being granted, he said, "My lord, you can not have forgotten the circumstance of relieving a highwayman. God and gratitude will never suffer it to be obliterated3 from my mind. In me, my lord, you now behold that once most wretched of mankind; but now, by your inexpressible humanity, rendered equal, perhaps superior to millions. Oh, my lord, 'tis you that have saved me, body and soul; 'tis you that have saved a much-loved wife, and a little brood of children, whom I loved dearer than my own life.

8. "Here, my lord, are the fifty pounds; but never shall I find language to express what I feel. God is your witness; your deed itself is your glory; and may heaven be your present and everlasting reward." The archbishop was refusing the money, when the gentleman added: "My lord, I was the younger son of a wealthy man. Your grace knew him, I am sure. My name is My marriage alienated' the affections

of my father, who left me to sorrow and penury.5

me.

9. "My distresses-but your grace knows to what they drove A month since, my brother died a bachelor, and intestate ;6 his fortune has become mine; and I, spared and preserved by your goodness from an ignominious' death, am now the most penitent, the most grateful, and the happiest of human beings."

4

PERCY ANECDOTES.

'Ef face', wear away; wipe off.-2 Trans pired', happened; took place. Ob lit' er åt ed, worn away; removed. Al' ien åt ed, transferred to another; lost. Pěn' u ry, poverty; want. In tès' tate, dying without a will. Ig no min' i ous, disgraceful.

7

A

35. THE FISHERMAN OF CASCO BAY.

MONG the numerous islands in Casco Bay,' there are few, indeed, which at present contain more than a single dwelling; yet a century ago, the traveler would have been cheered with the mingled hum of business and of pleasure; and could have rested beneath many a hospitable roof, the ruins of which are now scarcely visible. They were formerly inhabited by fishermen, but, on account of the frequent attacks of the Indians, these huts were abandoned, and, being of slight materials, soon sunk into decay.

2. Near one of these ruins, and not far from Diamond Cove, is the grave of Michael Burn, of whom the following story is related. One evening, as he sat at the door of his hut, listening to the waves which broke on the rocks that surrounded him, his dog, which was lying at his feet, suddenly sprang up, and, darting toward a projecting cliff, plunged into the water. The fisherman, presuming from his earnest manner that something uncommon had attracted his attention, hastened to the spot from which the animal had leaped; but the night was too dark to discover either the dog, or the object of his pursuit, and the murmur of the waves prevented his ascertaining what direction he had taken.

3. For a long time, he awaited his return in vain, and, at last, supposing he was engaged in a fruitless chase after some seals, which frequently made their appearance, he retired to rest. Scarcely, however, had he sought his pillow, when the wellknown bark, and a scratching at the door, not only announced his return, but anxiety for his master's presence. He opened the door; the dog whined, pulled him gently, as if wishing him to follow, and suddenly left him.

4. Having lighted his lantern, he left the hut, the dog, by his barking, directing the path; but, on approaching the shore,

3

'Casco Bay, in Cumberland county, Maine, extends east from Portland about 20 miles, and contains upward of 300 islands.-2 Century (sent' yu ry), a hundred years,- A bån' doned, forsaken.- Cliff, a high and steep rock.-5 Seals, animals that live mostly in the water, and are taken for their skins; there are two general kinds, the hair seal and the fur seal.

judge of his surprise to find by his faithful animal a human being, and to all appearance a corpse. It was evident that the dog had just drawn him from the water, but there were no marks of violence on his person. He opened his waistcoat-the body was still warm; and, filled with the hope of restoring animation,' he bore it to his hut. His exertions were not in vain. In a short time, the stranger gave signs of returning life, and by the next morning, he was enabled to converse with his generous preserver.

5. "You probably recollect seeing a vessel near your harbor, yesterday," said the stranger. "In that vessel, it was my misfortune to have been a passenger; Heaven grant that my beloved wife has not likewise fallen a victim to perfidy and ingratitude. I am a native of America, but for some years past I have resided in France, where I acquired a considerable fortune. Desirous of spending my last days in the land of my fathers, I converted all my property into money, and embarked in this vessel with my young wife.

6. "I loaded the master and crew with presents, but this only served to increase their rapacity. Although I was aware that they knew of the wealth I had on board, I entertained no fears concerning either my life or property; but last night, their diabolical plans for the destruction of bōth, were put in execution. I was alone on the quarter-deck, when a deep groan causing me to turn, I beheld one of the passengers struck down with an ax, as he was approaching to join me. The ruffians, with horrid yells, rushed forward to secure a second victim; but, though nearly overpowered by my sensations, I was enabled to reach the taffrail, and dropped into the sea.

7. "The darkness of the night, the presumption that I could not reach land, and above all, the work of death, which was still unfinished, prevented pursuit. I made an effort to float, trusting in Providence for my guide. But what was life? The dear woman for whom I wished to live, was deserted at the moment

'Anima' tion, breathing; life.-2 Pêr' fi dy, treachery; violation of faith or of trust.—3 Con vêrt' ed, exchanged; turned from one thing to another. Ra påc'i ty, desire of taking from others; undue greediness of gain.-- Di a bôl' ic al, wicked; devilish.- Tåff' rail, the upper part of the stern of a ship; the rail round a ship's stern.

she most needed my assistance. The shricks of the dying broke upon my ear, and I fancied I could distinguish the voice of my wife, imploring mercy. The thought was agonizing. Three times I attempted to regain the ship, but in vain-she was fast receding. At last, regardless of my fate, I murmured at that Being who had upheld me. I desired death, and ceased my exertions, in order to hasten its approach. From that moment, until I revived in your dwelling, reason left me."

8. The humane fisherman did all he could to comfort the hapless sufferer. He spoke of the consolations of religion, and reminded him of the submission which he owed to the divine will of that God, from whose hand he had already received such manifold blessings. "I have no doubt," continued he, "that these men will soon land in this vicinity, to divide their plunder; and let us indulge the hope, that these outcasts of society will yet be brought to justice, and you restored to your affectionate wife."

9. Animated with this idea, the fisherman rose, and approached the windōw, and, as he had supposed, the vessel was distinctly seen standing in for the shōre. Not a moment was to be lost. Raising the stranger in his arms, he carried him to his skiff, and rowing round a steep bluff of rocks, which screened them from observation, he placed him in a cave, retired and He then hastened to some huts, a few miles distant, informed the inhabitants of the bloody transactions of the past night, and conjured' them, if they were not destitute of courage and humanity, to aid him in boarding the vessel, which was now at anchor.

secure.

10. A small but determined band was immediately collected; and, under the direction of the fisherman, they advanced with caution toward his humble dwelling. Providence smiled on their endeavors. They crept to the brow of a crag, beneath which the pirates were seated, dividing the money of the stranger,—and watching for a good opportunity, they sprang upon them. The confusion of guilt, and the effects of intoxication, rendered them an easy conquest.

11. They were carefully secured to await the punishment due

'Con jured', besought earnestly,

to their crimes. The fisherman and his comrades then rowed off for the vessel, and tears of joy bedewed his weather-beaten face on finding that the wife of his guest had escaped uninjured. When he descended into the cabin, she at first seemed unconscious of his approach, so much had her senses been overpowered by the late scenes of horror. When she was aroused from the stupor' in which he had found her, she informed him that she was the only survivor of all those who had taken passage in the vessel. "Alas," exclaimed she, "I regret that my life was spared. Far more dear to me would have been the watery grave of my husband."

12. For some moments, the tears of the wretched woman unmanned our generous fisherman; and when he at length collected himself, he was fearful of informing her too suddenly that her husband was alive, and in perfect safety. At first, he tried to soothe her agitated feelings by telling her that the murderers had no longer the power of doing her any injury; and that, though separated from the one she loved, she should never want a protector while he had an arm to raise in her defense.

13. As she became more calm, he continued, "Perhaps your husband may be still alive. Some of the passengers have becn picked up, severely wounded, it is true, but not beyond the hope of recovery." At last, he gradually unfolded the happiness that was in store for her. But with all his caution, nature fainted under the excess of joyful emotion; and he trembled lest all his labors should have been bestowed in vain.

14. The joy of the young couple at their meeting can not be adequately described. Suffice it to say, that after having knelt in prayer to that Being who had, as it were, restored them to life, their first care was the welfare of the fisherman. A sum sufficient to render him independent was immediately bestowed, and the only return which they requested was, that they might retain the faithful dog, who had been so instrumental in producing this joyous meeting.

15. But here the fisherman pleaded in his turn. He said, that his reward had been greater than his labors deserved, or his

'Stu' por, insensibility; inability to perceive, act, or feel.' Ad' equate ly, justly; fitly.