The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-09-18

as The tale 4 had Just heard completely
explained capt. Burders mysterious be.
Saviour, and unveiled the cause of his
sudden departure, from Baltimore, Gid
not at all doubt the negro's veratity, and
began to consider how the Internal ma,
china'ions OF our commander might best
be connterac,ed., When Mrs. Mont re-
tired TO her atate room, I informed her |
husband Of The plo, that was in agitation. |
We conferrcd,ogether long time upon
the subject, ard at last resolved to do
nothing openly until matters came near
er to crisis.
Captain Bnrder's villainous scheme
occupied my mind necessarily, and Mr..
Monti daily made tia subject Of CONVEX
sation but still we sould not determine
what course 10 pursue, and passed our
hours in that state of irresolute anxiety,
during which the mind seeks an excuse
for its own inactivity. and want ofdecisiop,
by cndeavoring TO convince itself that the
proper time for exertlon has not yet ar
rived. We cautiously concealed the af-
fair from Mrs. Mont and her attendant,
and took care that every thing connects
ed with our little establishments 81 ould go:
on In its usual routine, lest enyS alteration.
might have, excited suspicion among
those who were leagusd against Us.
-Four or eve evenings alter Samno had
made the above comusupieaticu to me.
we were seated upor deck according to.
custorns II ble~l pretty fresh and syc!
went through the waters at such a rsUid
rate, that Mrs. Mont remarked il, and.
asked me, in a whisper, If Vessels usual
" carried so much sail at night as we
then did. At this moment, captain Bur-
der. who had been pacing the deck in an
agi'ated manner for some time before,
seized the lead, and hove it hurriediy,
and copfinusd to do SO without mention
ing the soundings 10 any one, or making
any reply to .hc male, who came forward
and offered to relieve him Of his charge.
There was dead silence among the crew
all of whom stood near the bows of
the vessel, observing their commander
with expressive looks. An indis,inct sem
sation Of dread, in which participated,
appeared to steal over the individuals of
our party. Mrs Monti ,rembled and
seized her husbands arm. and looked
anxiously in his face but he turned from
her gaze without saying any thing. SOM
no icsnt against the buiwarks, and twice
stepped forw,rd, apparently with the in
tention of addressing some one--but each
time, after a ew moments hesitation, he
quietly resumed his former position.
The moon vas nearly full-and we en-
loved all her light, except when thin
1eecy cloud hippened to intervene, and
TO throw fleeing and shadowy dimness
upon the surfce of the ocean. The
wind. though s,long, appeared unsteady,
and at intervals its signing was changed
into wild and melancholy means, which
seemed to hover,ronpd the vessel tor an
instant, e then b be borne far over the
deep. AT one tiSe we giided silently and
smoothly throttle pillows; & at another,
they burst &grunhled fiercely around the
bows of the schooner, and then collapsed
into comparative quietness and repose
every thing woe an ominous and dreary
character, endite scene appe ged TO ex-
erf depressing iniluenceu upon the. minds
of all on board.
The silenceswas suddenly interrupted
by Samno, wfo cried, I'VE are now on
The SeaI-bank. I see the black heads !
The schooner@ill be aground immedi.
ately" Rascal !! what do you say re-
turned captain Burder, running furiously
p "a him, voa are a lying vagabond
Utter another Gord, ard will le: you
'eel the weight OF the lead upon your
BODY! sWhat can all this mean y ex.
claimed Mrs. Mosti. in tone of alarm,
are we really in danger" Captain Bur-
ier,' cried her husband. q command you
to put about ship instantly! We know
all your plans You are deceitfuI vii
lain Seamen,' continued he, addressing
himself to the crew, .obey this man at
your peril he intends to cast away the
vessel for the insurance il we do not
resist, we shall lose our lives = sMuti~
nous wretchn returned the captain, syou
SPEAK falsely DENY the charge You
shall repent Of this. Yes, yes, IN End
ime. Fellows, stand by me-recollect
am your com ander. May | depend
upon YOU all ? Ay, ay, sir, to the last
d sailors, though, some OF
mem spoke rather family q i-resoIuteIy.
Silence now ensueh--and Captain Bur-
Ter having thrown aside the lead, began
o pace The deck hurriedIy, and ofseD.cast |
ooks OF fury and defiance at Mr. Month
md me. We easily perceived that any
'ort OF resistance on our part would be
vain, snd perhaps dangerous, and there
ore patiently awaited the catastrophe. |
While he employed himself in soothing |
md encouraging his lady, went down |
o the cabin and collected all my yaina-