Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

St. JOHNS, (N. B.) August 19.

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE!

On Saturday last arrived here from Briar Island, (Nova Scotia,) in a small boat of only 10 feet 2 inches keel, three little boys, sons of Mr. Bailey, of that place--Stephen the eldest, in his tenth year, and Charles and John, the younger ones, in their eighth and sixth years.

On Sunday morning these children, with a negro man, endeavoring to cross from Briar Island, to pick Raspberries, were forced out to sea by the strength of the tide and a strong southerly wind, and a thick fog setting in at the same time, they were soon bewildered, and every hope of return cut off. Fortunately for them, the negro had a small pocket compass, by which he ascertained the direction of the wind, and boldly determined to put before it--he accordingly sailed due north during the remainder of the day without any other accident than that of now and then shipping a little water, but no great quantities, considering how high the sea ran--As it grew dark, he steered by the wind (which providentially continued to blow from the same point) all night. In the morning the fog clearing, he descried land at a great distance to leeward, and having only a small sail and the wind dying away, it was evening before he reached it. The place where he landed was a Mr. Dawson's, in Mace's Bay, about 16 miles to the eastward of Beaver Harbour, and near 20 leagues from where he was drove to sea. The little adventurers were received here with a kindness and warmth of hospitality, that does honor to their entertainer--the poor little things had had nothing to eat or drink for above 36 hours, and were almost famished here they stayed, experiencing the most tender attention and generous treatment until they were able to proceed to this place. We are happy to say they are all now in perfect health and spirits, and are to return home to-morrow in a vessel which will land them at their father's door.

Never did we witness a more pleasing scene than on their arrival--It is but justice to the citizens to say, that the same sentiments of pity and compassion pervaded every bosom, and they eagerly contended with each other who should have the pleasing satisfaction of giving shelter to these little unfortunates--What must be the feelings of the unhappy parents at the supposed loss of so many fine children, swept away from the pursuit of pleasure and the lap of security into a boisterous sea, far from shore, without water, without provisions, in a bauble of a boat at the mercy of the winds, the waves and the currents; but Providence looked down with an eye of compassion on their unprotected innocence, and guided them through fogs and thick darkness over a frightful distance of a turbulent ocean to a safe and hospitable dwelling. The poor children, unconscious of their danger, and huddled together in the midst of the boat, slept great part of the way, now and then indeed waked by the dashing in of the water, they would lift their little heads and anxiously enquire, whether they were not almost at home yet? Who but anticipates, after reading this fortunate escape, the transports the ecstasy of the afflicted parents, when they shall see their dear, their tender offspring restored to them as from the depth of the grave! Every feeling heart must sympathize with them in their present grief and in their future joy. May that God who has preserved them hitherto continue his protection, and return these innocent babes unhurt to their present miserable and disconsolate parents.