Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-08
THE GENEROUS CARIB.

On one of those happy islands whose ever
verdent shores are laved by the pillows of the
western Ocean; where nations, falsely called
civilized, never carried the desolating sword OF
conquest; in the bosom of a thick grove OF
mangoes,the generous Ora, had fixed his hab-
itation. From the hour his eyes first beheld
the light Of heaven, he had been accustomed
only to the same delightful spot. From infan-
cy he had heen taught day by day 10 travel the
sands, and supply the wants of nature from the
finny productions ofthedeep. Unaccustomed to
the tolls Of cultivation, or the cares of trahc, he
spent the morning of his days in a regular sue
cessioa of innocent amusemen!s. AS he sat on
the rock, he warbled in untaught numbers,
while his eyes wandered over the extensive
ocean, and marked the progress OF the distant
sails immerging, disappearing or taking dill
ferent directions. He looked on those as the
ordinary productions of nature, though igno-
rant of their properties or their utility; nor
deemed them other than what they seemed
vast objects floating on the unstable pillows,
without cause or without effect. He observed
the mighty orb of day rise in all lis majesty, &
descend in all its maguihcence, Unconscious Of
its warming other chimes, or fructifying diff:
ferent soil: nor did he dream Of other lands, or
another race Of beings: but imagined that all
creation was comprised within the narrow cir
Gle of his visible horizon.
In the prime of life, when the hearts of men
are contaminated with juvenile vices, Love was
the only passion which could disturb the seren-
ity of his soal-The amiable Yario was the OBJ
iect Of his tender desires. He first met her in
walk of bamboos, on the purple banks OF
fine river, when her sable beauties kindled in
his bosom The flames which could only be ex-
tinguished with his existence. A stranger to
article and DISSEMINATION, he wooed her with
the irresistible eloquence OF nature; she heard
his honest simple tale, and yielded her hanG
without reluctance or distrust. Their hovel
was sheltered by the leaves OF the branching
palm; between two trees was suspended their
hammock of hemp, and their kitchen furniture
consisted of variety of calabasheS. curlously
carved with sharp flint by his own hand, anc
arranged on their rustic shelves in the most re-
gular order.
Many years of domestic felicity passed away,
without single misfortune to ruf1e their re-
pose. While Ora, will, his net on his shoulder,
sought the shore, in order to secure the next
meals supply, Yarro dug hole in the sands,
kindled the flames to roast the fish caught the
preceding evening, and served them up on the
leaves of the banana, against his return. While
they wandered in the enchanting meadows on
the borders of the logwood forest, or amidst
the labyrinth of citrons or sugar canes, every
eye beheld them with pleasure, and every tongue
pronounced them happy. But what mortal ever
drew the lot of perfect happiness? Some inter-
vcnient cloud will overcast the brightest day!
One morning Ora beheld with astonishmen
a large ship approached nearer the shore than
he had ever yet seen one approach. A boat,
filled with men, soon reached the island: he
viewed them with attenton-he exercised his
reason-he compared them with himself; and,
on making proper allowance for dress and CO.
lor, was convinced they were beings OF like
species with himself. He felt himself interested
in their wants, which by signs they made known
to him For the three preceding days they had
suffered all the horrors of thirst; he commits
serated their suherings, led them to the purest
spring, and assisted them in filling their casks,
and rolling them down to their boat. He then
conducted them to his hut, and introduced them
to his Yarro, who laid before them every deli
cacy in her power 20 procure
At the shut of evening they returned TO their
ship; and for several mornings Ora ran to the
beach to congratulate them on their arrival, and
shew them fresh instances of disinterested kind
ness. One morning he waited for them in vain:
the sun had gained its meridian height; and no
boat appeared; pensive he returned to his hut;
but alas! it wanted its brightest ornament. eve
ry utensil was placed in the incest order; but
his beloved Yarro was not there! lie threw
himself on the earth in agony, called on the
Zombies to restore him his love; then, frantic
with grief, started up, and ran into the woocs,
inouiring of all he met if they had seen his Var
70? 81 saw her," said one OF the natives,
f" struggling with the new beings, you entertain
ed at the mouth of yonder creek, who took her
on their long raft and padded out to sea before
anv one could come to her relief A sudden
palsy shook his nerves, his face was discom-
posed his eyes rolled fiery red, he drew his
breath with pain; he cursed his own credulity,
and the perfdy of his ungenerous guests, who,
he no longer doubted (more cruel than the
Zombies!) were the authors of his present mis-
fortune; whom, in the bitterness of his soul, he
called savages and harbarians-but when the
storm Of rage and grief subsidized, he remained
the gloomy victim Of cool and settled despair
Seven days elapsed, and on the morning OF
the eighth, as his eyes, dimmed with grief, wans
dered over the vast expanse Of water, he beheId
boat urged by the surf among the rocks and
u;cb fret ,yaS swelling with