AN EARTHQUAKE.

[From Westward Ho ! a novel, by Paul.

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 [From Westward Ho novel, by Paul.

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 While the argobauts ot the broad- horn were gathering drift-wood along the shore, kainsford, accompanied by. Captain Sam, strolled 10 the confines ot tie Great Prairie, as 1t is called, which extends fer many miles from the lseE- ders of the Mississippi. Il they stood adfnlri'lg the rolling exPanse of vaPof which gave to it's vast surface tic aps Pearace of the distant ocean in a caiiH, and coursing with their eyes the dead and noseless solitude, distant rum bling sound caught their attention for [ moment-eeasing for a moment, aad U moment beginning again, appafea1fY nearer than before, it vas saecesdea by avast clond of ,lust, winch II ai s.sss Iobscured the air, aid Elid from 3te5e view the face of the world.

 s' Gut dirt, stranger, for your lie; there's whifIwind zeoming," erred eapt. sam, suiting the action 10 the word.

 But he had scarcely spoken when the earth opened between them, and they stood rocking to and fro, on either side a yawnins chasm. The ground rose in Waves, like the sea in storm, the vast trees that slsirtcd tlie bare precincts of tue endless plain, nodded and struck their high heads together with crash, and dashed each other with their giant limbs; the earth burst its strong ribs. and rose, and split into vast ravines; the waters burst through their bounds, and while they formed new lakes, or forced themselves into new channels in some places, in others they left large spaces high and dry. Anon the waves of the firm fixed earth subsided for moment, and she lay trembling and duIvefieg as in the paroxysm of all aguc. !

 During this appalling interval, Rains ford and hls companion rose from the ground, where they had been thrown by the reslstless force of the vibrations. ana msthctsely sought refuge they knew not whither. The captain made towards the river, as being his natural element; while the other climbed one oi the lofty trees that skirtcd the bounds of the Interminablc plain. from vague apprehension oi the waters, which, as. wei as the earth, seemed struggling 10 free themselves from the letters of Nature slnilexibe laws. Hehad scarce y denc this, when again the same ap- pailing noise approached fsom another quarter, and again the firm set earth began to heave and curl itself-into sea oi waves that seemed to approach from q distauco, gathering strength. and ris- Ing higher and higher, until they burst. scattering vast volumes os water and sand nigh in the air, and leaving tre ground seamed with deepchasms, which the traveller still surveys sisla astenish- ment and dismay. In few moments the earth seemed changed into differ. ent element, and to become an ocean. A large portion of the district around was covered with the waters, and the tree on which Rainsford had sought re iage stood rocking to and fro in the midst of them. Darkness, or at least an obscurity, like that of a tetal eclipse oi the sun, came over the world: and such was the dismay of all animated na- ture, that little bird came and sought refuge in the bosom of the young man. where tlay quiet and tame inthetrance ofterror. lie could feel its little heart against Ills own, and the communion of sympathy between him and the 2antine iluttcrer was not unsoothing in tlsis ter. rible hour.

 Casting his eye towards the town of New Madrid, he beheld the houses tot. terlng and tnmbling to pieces, and the people fleeing to and fro in all the des. peration Of overwhelming terror.-1 Turning to ihe Mississippi, he ..sa!,!!ss::i y observed itin one particular spot boil up, ant overflow it's banks, carrying boats and every t4ing that floatcd on it's surface fitr over into the fields. where l they were left perfect wrecks. Nav. if spared neither the living na. h for all atonee he saw the little graveyard of the village, with its mouldering bones and observation-disclosures, lifted, as if were.

 