The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-10-14
From Blachwoods Mogaeinc.
THE
NOCTURNAL SEPARATION.
ITnuftnupH !
Continued J

DCTC IaN .G.r-y SIZE. IA Il -AILON.
(Continucd}
Four or five evenin rs after Samno had made /
the above mentioned communications to me,
we were seated upon deck according to Gus
tom. 1t blew pretty fresh, and we went
through the water at such rapid rate that
Mrs Monti remarked it, and asked me, in a
whisper, if vessels usually carried so much
sail at night as we then did. At this moment,
CAPTAIN Burdcr, who had been pacing the
deck in an agitated manner for some time
before, seized the lead, and hove it hurriedly,
and continued to do so without mentioning
the soundings to any one or making any reply
to the mate, 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
thcircommander with expressive looks. An
indstinct sensation of dread, i'll which par
ticipated appeared to steal over the ndivid-
uals of our party. Mrs. Monti trcmbcd and
seized her husbands arm, looked anXiously
in his face but he turned from her gaze with
ont saying any thing. Samno leant against
the bulwarks, and twice stepped forward,
apparently with the intention OF addressing
some one, but each time, after a few moments
hesitation, he quietly resumed his former po-
stion
| The moon was nearly full, and we enjoyed
all her light, except when thin feecy cloud
Professionally happened tn intervene, and to
throw tlccting and shadowy dimness upon
the surface of the ocean. The wind though
strong, appeared unsteady, and at intervals
its sicning was changed into wild and mel
ancholv moans, which seemed to hover a.
round the vessel for ali instant, and then to
be borne far over the deep. At one time
we gided silently and smoothly through the
bilows: and at another, they burst and
trcmbled iicrcely around the bows OF the
schr. and then collapsed into comparative
quictness and repose; every thing wore an
ominous and drcary character, and the scene
appeared to exert a depressing influence up
on the minds Of all on board.
The silence was suddenly interrupted by
Samno, who cried, 1--WE are now on the
Seal Bank | sec the black heads! The
schooner will be aground Immediately -
"Rascal! what do YOU say" returned Captain
Burdcr, running furiously up to him; ''you
are a " ing vagabond Utter another word,
and will let YOU feel the weight of the lead
upon your body '"What can all this mean!"
exclaimed Mrs. Monti, in tone OF alarm;
"are we really in dangers? Bur-
der" cried her husband, Il command YOU TO
put about ship instantly! We know all your
plans! You are deccitful william Sea-
men," continued he, addressing himself to
the crew, ''obey this man at your peril he
intends to cast away the vessel for the insur-
ance: if we do not resist we shall lose our
lives Mutinous wretch!' returned the
CAPTAIN, "vou speak falsely I deny the
charge You shall repent of this yet. Yes,
YES. I'll find time. Fellows stand by me;
rccollect am your commander. May l de
pend upon you all?'-'Av, ay, sir, to the
last answered the sailors, though some Of
them spoke rather family and irresolutely
Silence now ensued and Captain Burder
having thrown aside the lead, began to pace
the deck hurriedlv, and often cast looks OF
fury and defiance at Mr.. Monti and me. We
easily perceived that any sort OF resistance
on our part would be vain, and perhaps dan
cerous, and therefore patiently awaited, the
catastrophe. While he employed himself i'll
soothing and encouraging his lady, went
down to the cabin and collected all my va
Iuables of small bulk, and concealed them, a.
bout nv person and likewise privately de-
sired Mr.. Months servant to occupy herself
in the same way.
In few minutes distinctly felt the keel
of the schooner rub upon the bottom. Every
one started when this took place, and that
APPEARED to await the next shock in tream-
less alarm. The vessel as was expected
soon began second time to grind against the
sand and rocks, underneath and quickly got
hard and fast aground. Captain Burder i'm
mediatcly ordered the sails to be backed but
this did not move her in the least degree
The shifting of the ballast, which was next
resorted to, proved Intellectual, as he ProDa-
bly'intended it should.
Our situation now became truly alarming.
There was no land in sight; but from the
fore-top we could discern shoals stretching
ON every side to the horizon-those of sand
being indicated by the bright green colours
of the sea-and those of rock by irregular
patches of blackness upon its surface. How
ever, these bcacons of danger did not LONG