Harmon's journal. 



127 



tion.* I however made a few struggles more, which 

 happily took me to a small tree that stood on what is 

 usually the bank of the river, but which is now some 

 rods distant from dry land. I remained there for 

 sometime, to recover strength, and at length pro- 

 ceeded to the shore ; and* as soon as I had gained 

 it, my mind rose in ardent gratitude to my gra- 

 cious Preserver and deliverer, who had snatched 

 me from the very jaws of death ! / was now safe 

 on shore ; but the condition of my unfortunate 

 companions, was far different. They had still 

 hold of the canoe in the middle of the river, and 

 by struggling were just able to keep themselves 

 from sinking. We had no other craft, with which 

 to go upon the water, nor could any of our people 

 swim, who were standing on the shore, the mel- 

 ancholly spectators of this scene of distress. I 

 therefore took off my clothes, and threw myself, 

 a second time, into the water, in order, if possible, 

 to afford some aid to my companions. When I 

 had reached the place where they were, I direct- 

 ed the boy, to take hold of the hair of my head, 

 and I took him to a staddle, at no great distance, 



* For at that time, I was ignorant of my lost condition by 

 nature, and of the necessity of being clothed in a better righ- 

 teousness than my own, to prepare me to appear with safety 

 before a holy God, in judgment. 



