American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-02-11
From Btack,cood's Magazine
THE NOCTURNAL SEPARATION

One summer, while at Baltimore on a pIeasur,
excursion, peculiar circumstances suddenly render
ed It necessary that should set sail for St. Thorn
ass. Immediately proceeded to make inouir,
about vessel to Convey me there and found tina
there was none bound to that quarter, except small
schooner, which had very inferior accommodations
and was commanded by person of rude manner
and dlsobllglng temper. However, as my bushes
admitted of no delay, engaged a passage in her
and put my luggage on board, and desired the cap
tain to send me notice, whenever he was ready 4
sail, that might Immediately Join Tim.
j passed two days in that anxious and unsettled
state OF mind which the prospect of going to SC;
generally produces, and went despondincly to be-
the second night, after having ascer,ained that th
wind was unavorable to the prosecution Of my inten
ded voyage. loud knocking at my chamber doc
awakened me from profound sleep, about an hou
before dawn. ! was on the point oil demanding VIII,
occasioned the disturbance, when voice called out
=" ! he schooner is ready 10 sa-they are heavin,
up the anchor Captain Burder sent me to warn yol
tn come on board without moments delay
started from bed and having dressed myself al
quickly as possible. accompanied the messenger t,
the wharf, and embarked in a boat winch waited
there for US, and soon reached the schooner. Hel
captain was SO busily engaged in giv orders 10 tit
seamen, that he seemed scarcely to notice my ar
rival. However addressed him, and made somt
remark abou, the suddenness OF his departure
/" That doesn't concern you" replied he abruptly
/" suppose your birth is ready below But in
stead Of taking this hint and going down the cabin
| remained upon deck until we cleared the mouth o
the harbour, which we at last accomplished Will
much difficulty, for the wind was as directly ahead
it could blow.
i lett at loss to conceive the cause OF our putting
to sea in such unfavorabe weaher---but judged
Oh.
had already had that it would be useless to addrss
10 him any inquiries upon the subject therefore
went to bed. and did not get up the next morning nj
called to breakfast.
Il On entering the cabin was astonshed to find
1 lady and gentleman there, whom had not pre-
4 viously known 10 on board. They were introdu
ced to me as fellow passengers; and after expires
sing my qualification at the prospecl Of enjoying
their society during the voyage, began to conyeIs
with them, ARID found that their presence wuul
IN great measure counerbalance the disagreeabe
arising from Capt. Burdens surly and untractabl
, temper. They we're named Mr.. and Mrs. Mont
and were both young and had recently been married
She was a pretty, lively, interesting creature an
having fortunately been at sea before, she did nc
suffer from sickness, OF feel at all incommoded o
depressed by the comparative uncomforts OF her sill
uation and therefore the soclaty OF little cir
Gle never interrupted By her absence, her i'll
capacity TO Join it. But the charm of her manner
seemed 10 exert no influence upon the stubborn ma
l ture OF Captain Burder, who always maintained
cold reserve, and rarely took any part in our con
lversalion
Il His appearance and department were singularl
unprepossessing. A short muscular figure, ster
countenance, burnt almost TO copper colour by Is
posture to tropical climates, black bushy hair, an
small scintating eyes, formed the exterior OF OF
lcn 1unander and his fnne and EXTERNAL behayi1
proved that the traits of his mind were as revoin
d as those OF his person
u He treated his crew in a csprcious and tyrann
cal manner; but at the same time, behaved lowarS
them with an air OF familiarity very unusual IL
lship masters to assume when among common Sc;
men.-But negro man, who attended the cab
Is daily experienced the most inhuman usage from h
: hands, and afforded such spectacle OF degradaic
= and misery as was painful to look upon. Almo
) every night after dark Captala Burder had lon
n conversation with his during which both seen
s. ed particularly anxious to avoid being overheard
j and once or twice observed them studying char
v OF parts Of the ocean that lay quite out OF our dt
/, and proper course. Their whole conduct wi
:, equally suspicious and lnexplicable and often ie
y uneasy and apprehensive though there was no d
~ fined evil to fear, nor any danger to anticipate
Our personal comfort was but little attended to {
board the schooner and our table, which had new
J, been well furnished one. soon became mean al
W uninvtng, that Mr.. Mont complained to Cal
Burder about it : however, without avail, for the Ia
i ter told him he must just take things as he foul
them. On comparing the quality OF stores we h
respective ~ brought on board, we thought we cou
{ manage 10 live independent of our commander; al
b. Mrs Months woman servant was therefore, desir
to prepare our meals and spread table for us eve
G. day Captain Burder grew furious with passi
when he learned this arrangement, and muter
some threats which we did not understand. Ho'
ever, next day his rage against us was farther !
creased, in consequence OF MIR. Mcnti having tax
lie him with cruelty and injustice. while in the act
y beating the negro man already mentioned TIL
~ offence was not to be forgiven, and he according
l. IL. IL ,Er