Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-04-14

I and the shocks which the vessel every now
and then received, as she was impelled
| against some billow loftier than its fellows,
were quite sufficient tn banish sleep from a
Landmarks eyelids. The voice ofthe officer
Of the watch, heard warning the helmsman,
or giving orders to the seamen to perform
some necessary duty; feet hurrylns over the
deck, and the noise of the ropes, when they
were thrown down and hauled across the
planks Immediately above US, tended in no
inconsiderable degree to increase the inter-
est which our situation excited. The pitch
ing of the ship became in the course of two
or three hours excessive; and | was induc-
ed to ascend to the deck l had heard Of
the appearance Of Tie ocean at night in a
storm, but my fancy had not conceived
1.-THE of the awful grandeur OF the reality.
1t was not dark, although the heavens were
wrapt in the most intense blackness, for eve
ry billow seemed crested with a wreath of
fire, and the bows Of the vessel appeared as
if deluged with a shower Of boiling silver.
The foam caused by the ships rapid way,
rolled around 10 4 considerable distance,
and, circling and sparkling a. it rose and fell
with the receding pillows, marked our lumin-
Gus course through the ocean. The gales
came not in titful gusts, but with steady
roar which formed suitable accompani-
ment to the dcep-toned music Of the raging
sea Perhaps the word music may not be
thought appropriate to such scene, but my
heart told me it 1c0s music far more touch
ing than any to which had ever listened.
felt 1t rs the ocean rejoicing in its might,
and hymning It's praises to the God of ma
ture, and | felt it as the dirge that had
sounded over many sailors parting soul,
as he sunk beneath the strife Of winds and
waves far distant from his home.
The storm continued to increase in vio-
lence, and at length without an inch of can
vas spread, we were driven before it at a
prodgious rate.-Long before the return
of day the bilows had grown to an enor
nous size, and our ship, that had so lately
dashed them in her pride from before her
path, now few as up the side OF a lofty hill,
and then, trembling for an instant on the
summit, shot with the ?apidiiy Of an arrows
flight into the dark abyss which yawned as
if to cngulf her in oblivion.
Day at length appeared, and opened
new scene of wonders to my astonished
view. On every side the giant seas, crown
ed with wreath of the purest white, rush
ed on before the mighty fury Of the winds,
and the spray flying from their snowy crests,
spread thin vel. of mist over the surface
Of the ocean. At eight O'clock, A. NJ the
attention of all on deck was attracted by
vessel three or four miles distant, off the
larboard bow. When first deserted, she ap-
peared a dark, shapelcss object, through the
gloomy atmosphere, but as we few along,
and the distance lessened, we discovered |
her to be line Of battle ship, lying to un-
der storm staysail. Her huge bulk was
tossed like feather on the mountainous
seas, which ever and anon hid her entirely
from view, and my heart would bound in my
bosom with fear for her fate, as the violence
Of the tempest bowed her down so low that |
her masts were sometimes almost in hori- |
zontal position We very soon lost sight |
Of her astern, and pursued our course with |
speed.
By medrdian the storm began to abatc,
and at four o'clock, p. nj. the sable clouds !
hat hung over the eastern horizon, and the |
swelling seas, which still rolled mast high,
we're the sole relics Of the storm. Scarce
a breath of air futtered athwart the surface
of the ocean, and the splendour Of glori
Gus sunset, unobscu-ed by cloud, closed
q day that commenced amid the darkness
and the fury of tempest. NJ. f.