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


capt. Burcer about it however. without,
avail, for the latter told him he must just
take things as he found them. On COM
pairing the quantity Of stores we bad res
pectively brought on board. we thought |
we could msnage to live, independent Of
our conmsndert and Mrs. Months wo |
man servant was, therefore, desired 70 !
prepare our meals and spread table Tor
Jus every day. Captain Burder grew FL.
rious With passion when he learned this
arrangement, and muttcreS some threats
which We did not understand. However,
next day, his rage against Us was farther in
creased, in consequence of Mr.. Monti
having taxed him with cruelty and inius.
tice, while in the act Of beating the negro
man, already mentioned. This offence
was not to be forgiven, and he according
" broke off all intercourse with the indi-
viduals Of our party.
Delightful weather attended us during
the FIRST week OF the voyage, and we usu.
ally spent the evenings upon deck, uD-
der an awning. While thus seated, one
calm and beautiful moonlight night,
Mrs. Monti said, IF The weather and O.
cean were ever in this placid state, Ibe-
level would prefer a sea lie TO any.
other. The most susceptible mind could
not discover any cause for terror or ankle
ty in the scene around us--I would "a.
ther meet q speedy death among these
little bilsnws, than iinger life away upon
sick bed, racked with pain, and surz'
rounded with weeping Friends 81 have
less objections, Harriet, said her hus-
band. .to your mode of dying than to your,
mode of living. should not care to
spend much time at sea, for am sure
it would pass very heavily. love yarie.
ty, and nothing ofthat is to be met with
on board ship 81 agree with you,'
said Mrs, Mont shut variety Is not me-
cessary to happineas--a regular, we'll
planned, uninterrupted routine, would suit
my disposition exactly, and would be
more easily attainable at sea than any
where else. A life of change eniailsm
ny mi.eries. II makes us the slaves Of
accidents of every kind. and when we
are happy, we never can feel secure that
our happiness will continue. Nowhere
| mistress ola large ship, and had the
power of sailing continually upon calm
and safe ocean, would collect my dear
est friends on board Of her, and get out
Of sight of land as fast as possible, car
rying with me, of course, various means
OF amusement and recreation. We
would regulate our time and our plea
sures as we choose-no disagreeable per-
son could intrude upon us--no spec,a-
cles OF misery would meet our eyes, and
no lamentations assaii our ears ;an6 We
would enjoy each others society without
the fear OF ever being separated or dis.
united, except by death; and when any
one was removed, the remaining persons
you'd console themselves with the re.
bection, that link had been Withdrawn
from the chain which bound their hearts
to this delusive and .transitory world, and
that, in proportion as their friends Drop
ped away, they would feel more ready
and willing TO die than they had done
while the former were in existence.'-
sihis seems very plausible scheme of
yours my love- replied Mr.. Mont show
ever. am glad you cannot put it into ex
ecution l don't know any part of the
ocean that is exempted from tempesis
which see you are resolved entirely Ia
avoid, and with reason, For suspect tina,
q. good gale of wind would discompose
your select party, even more than capt. |
Burder himself were I've to find means IL |
admItiance into your projected floating
Elysium.'
Whilst we were engaged in converse,
ton of this kind, several times observ-
ed Samno, the negro man. beckoning toi
me, and then putting his fingers upon
his lips. AZ length went to the bows
of the vessel where he stood, and asked !
whether he had any thing to communi !
cate Yes, yes, MASTER said he, in !
whisper, something very strange, and of
great consequence--tut will no one overs
hear us p do rot fear thai, answered
] +: scap,ain Burder is asleep in his birth. |
and the watch are all near the Stern
Then ! will speak, answered. Samno -
You and that other gentleman have been |
kind to me, and have often tried to save |
me from the rage of my wicked master |
y mean now to serve you in my turn
Y our lives are in danger The captain
intends TO cast away the vessel sWhat |
do you mean p cried Ell am al loss to
YOU ooh, IN. soon explain il |
all, replied he. Last night, ] listened |
10 my master and the mate, while they |
were talking together, and found out that
they had formed plan TO wreck this
schooner, that they might get the insu-
rance, which would buy her and all she
contains, twenty times over. These
bales, casks and boxes, that lie in the