Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-29


the bride was in tears, weeping bitterly. How
ever, they stepped on board, and sudden gust
of wind at that moment 1.-THE ship being cast loose
from her mooring,) made her yaw OFT, and she
was almost instantly at sea. The crowd, how
ever. remained anxiously watching her progress
until abe was out of sight. They then returned
m their respective homes; and the whole CONVEX
sst;on of Salem for that evening, was saddened
with nresentiments and forebodings concerning
the Noah's Dove.
In the course Of the night, the breeze freshen-
ed into gale, which before the morning was
heightened into tempest The sea ragged with
tremendous fury, and the wrack of clouds that
careered in the heavens, was scarcely less tu-
multuOus than the angry waves IN the ocean De-
low. All the inhabitants of Salem were persua-
ded that the hurricane had something to do with
the mysterious passengers III the Noah's Dove
M.ny were instinctively convinced, that the ship
had persisted, and resigned themselves to grief
For three days and three nights, the wrath OF
the storm was unmitigated. On the contrary,
it seemed to increase; for although it was then
midsummer, dreadful showers of hail mingled
with fire, and thunder, louder than had ever
been heardbefore, pealed continually. No man
could doubt the fate ofNOah's Dove. Indeed
it was the persuasion of all, that every, vesSei
which was so unfortunate as to De within the
sweep and phrenzy of the winds aud waves
could not survive the vehemence OF their DIS
traction.
The sun. OH the morning of the fourth day.
burst through the clouds in great splendor-the
winds almost instantly became caln-the hail
ceased-the thunder was mute-and the pillows,
from raging surges, rolled themselves into
noiseless swell A change so abrupt, convinced
the pious inhabitants of Salem that the doom of
the vessel was sealed; and although it was in
vain to expect that the sea would present them
with any sight of her wreck, or of that of other
vessels, they fastened in great numbers down to
the shore. where thew stood until sunset, gazing
and wondering. with anxiety and sorrow.
Just as the sun disappeared, sound of excla-
nation and hurry, accompanied by movement,
arose from a group of persons who were standing
on the top of the rock, considerably elevated "a
bove the crowd, and some one cried that vessel
was in sight. The whole multitude, on hearing
this were thrown iutO commotion, and fiuctuated
to and fro, eager to catch a glimpse of this uneX
pected phenomenon 1t was, however, long be-
fore she came distinctly in sight, for any wind
which was then blowing was off the shore, and a.
gainst the vessel: iusomuch, that an old grey
headed sailor among the spectators, declared
that it was impossible she could work into the
harbor that NIGHT. But, to their astonishment,
she still came forward with her yards squared
and her sails fall, notwithstanding she was steer
ING in the winds eve; before her hull could be
properly seen, it was the opinion of all who be-
held her that it was the Noah's Dove.
Nv this time the twilight was much faded, but
it began to be observed that the ship frightened,
as if some supernatural light shown upon her,
and upon her alone. This wonderful circum-
stance was not long matter of doubt, or question;
for, when the stars appeared. she was seen as dis
tinctly as if she had been there IN the blaze of
MONDAY, and panic of dread and terror feel
upon the whole multitude.
The Rev. Ze5edee Stebbin, who was then in
the crowd. an acute man, and one who feared the
lord, knew that the apparent ship was device
of the prestigous spirits, and that il beloved all
present to pray for protection against them; he
therefore mounted upon large stone, and called
Oh the special o join him in the 46th Psalm,
which he himsei began, repeating the line aloud,
and then singing. The shores echoed with the
solemn melody, and the rising wind waited it
along the increasing waves.
Whilst the worship was going on, the sound of
sudden cries and lamentations, as OF persons in
jeopardy was heard in the air; the ship at the
same time came straigh on into the harbor, and
being Illuminated as described. was seen Hgged
orr in every part like the Noah's Dove. Many
Of he spectators saw their friends on board. and
would have shouted to them with joy. but there
was something dismal and strange in their ap:
pearance. which awed them TO remain silent. The
stranger young man and his bride were seen ten
derby embracing each other. but no noise or voice
was heard on board. At that moment the masts
and rigging fell into the sea as if they had been
struck down with lightning, and signals Of dis
tress were displayed, but still no sound was heard.
The multitude suspended their breathing, con-
WINGED that the vision before them was he unsub-
stantal creation of the prestigious spirits This
belief entered all their minds simultaneously.
and in the same moment the mighty spectre van
shed.
The Noah's Dove was never heard of, and it
was believed that in that hour, riven by the light
ming and the tempest. she had foundered.
''Count me not says the Rev. DR.. Mather,
at the conclusion of his narration. struck with
the Levithian superstition, in reporting prodigies
for which have such incontestabe proofs
NANTUCKET.