Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-05

more and more, and VanderGecken walked The
deck. swearing at the wind. Just after sunset,
vessel spoke him, asking him if he did not
mean to go into the bay Mat night. Wander,
decken replied, MAY be eternally id II
do, though should heat about here till the
day OF Judgment And 20 be sure, Wander
decken never did SO into that bay; Tor 1t IS Dr.
lieved that he continues 10 beat about IN ,nsse
seas sill, and will do SO long enough. ms
vessel is never seen but with foul weather a.
long with her" ,.
To which another replied, awe must keep
clear of her. They say that her captain mans
his iolly boat, when vessel comes In sight, anu
tries hard TO get along side, 10 put letters o"
board, but no good Comes 10 them VIII" nave
communication with him.
Tom Willis said, "1here is such sea be-
tween US at present, as should keep us safe Eoh
such visits"
To which the other answered; "We cahno'
trust 10 that If Vanderdecken sends out MS
men,"
Some of this conversation having been overs
heard by the passengers, there was co"'"o
ton among them. In the mean tune, the "o',e
Of the waves against the vessel could scaree'y
be distinguished from the sounds o! the distant
thunder. The wind had extinguished the iish'
in The pinnacle, where the compass was, ana 10
one could tell which way the ships head lay
TIL. messengers were afraid to ask any qnes>
lions. lest they should augment the secret SEN
sa,ion of fear which chilled every heart, or learn
any more than they already knew. For while
they attributed their agitation Of mind 10 the
state OF the weather, it was sufficiently pereeP-
tib.e that their alarms arose from cause which
they did not acknowledge.
ha Ia he RI e [,
they perceived that the ship lay closer TO the
wind than she had hitherto done, and the spirits
of The passengers were somewhat revived.
Nevertheless, neither the tempestuous state
Of the atmosphere nor the thunder had ceased;
ard soon viviG flash of lightning showed the
waves tumbling around, and, in the distance,
the Flying Du,chman scudding furiously before
the wind, under press Of canvass. The sight
was but momru,a,y, but it was sufficient TO
remove all doubt from the minds OF the passen-
gers. One oil the men cried aloud, VI here she
goes, top gallanrs and all"
The chaplain had brought up his prayer
book, in order that he might draw from thence
something 10 fortify and tranquilize the minds
Of the rest Therefore, taking his seat near the
pinnacle, so that the lgh, shone upon the white
leaves of the book, he, in solemn tone, read
out The service for those distressed at sea The
sailors stood round with folded arms, and look.
Ell as if thsv thought it would he OF little use.
But this served to occupy the attention OF those
on deck for 4 while.
In thy mean time, the flashes Of lightning
becoming less vivid, showed nothing else, far
or near, bu, the pillows welering round the
vessel. The sailors seemed to think that they
had not yet seen the worst, but confined their
remarks and nrAnn""';-1,'
At this time, The captain, WHO had hitherto
remained in his birth, came OH deck, and with
a gay and unconcerned air inquired VIDA: was
the cause of the general dread He said he
thought they had arady seen the worst Of the
weather, and ondered that his men had made
such hubbub about a capfu OF wind. Men
ton beng made Of the Filing Du,chman, the
captain laughed He said, che would like very
much to sec any vessel carrying topgallant sails
in such night, for /, would be sight worth
looking at" The chaplain, taking him by one
of the buttons Of his coat, drew MIN aside, and
appeared TO enter into serious conversation with
him.
While they were talking together, the cap
tain was heard TO say, LET US look to our own
ship, and no, mind such things" and accords
ingly he sent man aoft, 10 see ii all was right
about the fore'opsail yard, which was chahng
the mast with loud noise.
/. was Tom Willis who went up; and when
he came down, he said that all was tight, and
that he hoped it would soon get clearer; and
tina, they would see no more OF what they were
most afraid Of.
The captain and frs, mate were heard laugh
ing loudly together, while the chaplain observ-
ed, tina, it would be better to repress such un-
seasonsble gaieiy. The second mate, native
Of Scotland, whose name was Duncan Sander
son, having attended one of the University
classes at Aberdeen, thought himself too wise
10 believe all that the sailors said, and took part
with the captain He jesringy told Tom
Willis 10 borrow his grandam's spectacles the
| next time he was sen, tc keep look out uhead
Tom walked sulkily away, mut,ering that he
would nevertheless trust to his own eyes till
morning, and accordingly took his station a.,
The bow, and appeared 10 watch as aten,ively
as before.
The sound Of talking soon ceased, for many
retired 10 their births, and we heard nothing
H. 81, 81 Ia tla