are gone over me.' Surrounded thus by water, my horse made another desperate effort, and happily gained a still more elevated crag. I followed, but with considerable difficulty; and, as all further ascent appeared impracticable, in this place I expected to meet my fate.

"Under this impression, with but a step between me and death,' I began seriously to reflect on the solemnities and near approach of eternity, into which, perhaps, a few minutes might hurry my disembodied spirit. In these awful moments, I can truly say,

I cried, by reason of mine affliction, unto the Lord, and he heard me.' In the midst of the waters, I knelt on a rock, and commended my soul to Him who hath all power in heaven and earth, well knowing that he was able to say to the turbulent ocean, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.' At one time, I felt a gleam of hope; but this was speedily destroyed by the increasing waters, which, still gaining upon us, convinced me that the tide had not yet reached its height.

"Conceiving my own deliverance to be scarcely possible, I felt anxious for the escape of my horse, and, with this view, endeavoured to disencumber him of the bridle and saddle, that, in attempting to swim, he might find no impediment to prevent his reaching the shore. But, while I was thus engaged, to my utter astonishment, by a violent exertion, the horse partially ascended another crag, so as to keep his head above the water. I was not long in attempting a similar effort, in which I happily succeeded. This,

however, was our last retreat; for just over my head projected a large shelving rock, above which it was impossible to ascend. Here I sat down, with a mind somewhat composed, to wait the event.

"After remaining in this situation for some time, I began to hope that the tide had reached its height; and in this I was at length confirmed by the light of the rising moon, which, gleaming on the rocks, shewed, to my inexpressible joy, that the water had actually begun to subside. I was now convinced, that if we could retain our position until the water had retired, and I could survive the cold, we might both be preserved; but this was exceedingly doubtful. The posture in which my horse stood was nearly perpendicular; and I was cherished by the warmth which proceeded from his breath, as I kept his head near my bosom, and derived from it a benefit which experience only can explain.

On

"As the tide retired, and the moon rose, I discovered, by its increasing light, to what a fearful height we had ascended; and that to descend in safety was not less difficult, than the means of getting up had been extraordinary. This, however, was at last effected, without any material accident. reaching the beach, from which the waves had now retired, I endeavoured to walk towards my home, but found myself so benumbed, that I was unable; and my voice was so nearly gone, that I could not call for help, although I was not far from my father's house, and near many kind neighbours, who would have risked their lives to render me assistance, if they had known of my situation.

Being unable to proceed, I seated myself upon a rock, and expected, from the intense cold, that I must perish, although I had escaped the fury of the tempest, and the drenching of the waves. How long I remained there, I cannot say with certainty, but, when almost reduced to a state of insensibility, I was providentially discovered in this position, by my father's servant, who had been sent out to search for me; as, from the lateness of the hour, the family had anticipated some misfortune, and become alarmed.

"I had been in the water about three or four hours, and exposed to the disasters of the tempest from about five in the evening to half past eleven at night. I then reached my comfortable dwelling much exhausted, but to the great joy of my affectionate parent, who, I doubt not, had been offering up petitions in my behalf, to Him who hears the prayers that are presented to Him in sincerity.

"For this preservation, I desire to thank my God; but my words are poor, and insufficient for this purpose. May all my actions praise him, and may my lengthened life be devoted to his glory!"

SECTION VI.

Samuel is employed in the neighbourhood of Plymouth - His character at that time-Perilous smuggling adventure.

HAVING remained with his father's family from about Midsummer, 1782, until the autumn of the same year, a situation was found for Samuel, at Millbrook, on the Cornish side of the estuary of the Tamar. To this place he was accompanied by his father, who, fearing he might still be disposed to indulge his love of adventure, recommended him to the especial charge of his employer, a respectable man, named Williams.

The harbour of Hamoaze exhibited all the bustle incident to a great naval station in time of war. Of this, Millbrook, near which the King's brewery at South Down is situated, partook. These things had great charms for Samuel. Besides the novelty of the scene, it was exactly adapted to gratify his active and enterprising disposition. He was placed, too, in a shop where there were many persons employed, and where business was done in a more skilful manner, and upon a more extensive scale, than he had before witnessed. He therefore went willingly to work, and in the intervals, sought for information respecting surrounding objects. Being now cast upon his own resources, he was compelled to exercise

"It

industry and economy. He used to describe himself as a wretched tool at the trade,' unable, in ordinary hours, to earn more than eight shillings a week. On one occasion, when, in consequence of an extraordinary pressure of business, the men had worked many hours a day, and the master paid him half-a-guinea at the week's end, he was perfectly astounded. was," he said, "a coin I had never handled, and a sum so much greater than I had ever possessed, that I scarcely knew how to bestow it." Of his domestic economy, at this first entrance upon life, he used frequently to quote instances in later years, for the amusement and instruction of his apprentices, servants, and children; telling them, that Liskeard was not the only place where he had tied his apron-string tighter for a dinner.'

Thrown into collision with many shopmates, and subject to their jokes, on account of his uncouth appearance, and ignorance of business, his faculties were roused in self-defence; and, in a little time, he displayed such quickness at repartee, as to gain him the general respect of his comrades, few of whom, dreading his wit, chose to be his assailants. His argumentative powers, too, were now beginning to develope themselves, upon such matters as were likely to engage the attention of uneducated mechanics. "I very well remember," says a person who was then an apprentice in the same shop, "that in our disputes, those who could get Sam Drew on their side, always made sure of victory; and he had so much good humour and drollery, that we all liked him, and were very sorry when he went away."