Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-08-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
A SCENE IN JAMAICA

B'uehefd's Bay. II was between eight
and nine in the morning. The land
wind had died away, and the q, breeze
had not set in-thcre va. not A breath
stirring. The pennsnt from the mas,
head fell slugsishly down, and chung
amongst the rigging like dead snake,
whilst the folds Of the ST. Gcorgc's en-.
sign that hung from the mizen-peak.
we're as motion'ess as If they had been
carved in marble.
The anchorage was one unbroken
mirror, except where its glasslike sur.
lace was shiycred into sparkling rim.
plies by the gambols Of a skipiack, or
the flashing stoop Of his enemy, the
pelican; and the reflection Of the YES.
sci was 30 clear and steady, that at the
distance Of a cables length you could
not distinguish the water-line, nor tell
where the substance ended and shadow
began, until the casual dashing Of a
bucket overheard for a few moments
broke up the phantom ship; but the
waverlng fragments soon re united.
and she again foated double, like the
swan OF the poet. The heat was so in.
tense. that the iron stancheons OF the
awning could not be grasped with the
hand, and where the decks were not
screened by il, the pitch boiled out
from the seams. The swell rolled
IN from the ofling in long shining undu-
iations, like sea Of quicksilver, whilst
every now and then q flying fish would
spark out from the unruffied bosom of
the heayins water, and shoot away like
a silver arrow, until it dropped with a
flash into the sea again.
The crew were iistlessly spinning
oakum, and mendirg sails, under the
shade of the awning; the only excep-
tons to the general languor were John
crow, the black, and Jackoo, the mon.
key. The former (who was an i'm
prouisdfore Of a rough stamp sat out
on the bowsprit, through choice, be-
yond the shade Of the Canvass, without
hat or shirt, like bronze bust. busy
with his task, whatever il might be.
singing at the top Of his pipe. and be.
tween whites confabulating with his
hairy ally. as if he had been mess
mate. The monkey was hanging by
the tail from the dolphin striker, I'D.
miring what Johncrow called "his own
ogiy face in the waters s.TaiI ike
yours would be good ting for a sailor,
Jackoo, il would leave his two hands
Tree aloft-morc use, more Tournament
too. I'm sure, dan de piece Of greasy
Junk dat hangs from de captains tafril.
Now ! shall sing to you. how dat Cor
roman'es rascal. my fader, was sell
me on de Gold Coast.
1.-TWO red nigh;esp, one long knife,
All him get for Qusckoo,
For gun next day him sell him wife
You t'nk dat good song. Jackoo"
"Chocko, chocko," chartered the
monkey, as If in answer. "Ah. you
tink so-sensible nominal! What is
dat? shark Jackoo, come up, sir ::
don't you see dat big shovel nosed fish
looking at you? Pull your hand out Of
the water, ! tell you" The negro
threw himself on the gammoning Of the
bowsprit to take hold Of the poor ape.
who mistakins his kind intention, and
ignorant of his danger, shrunk FROM
him, lost his hold, and fell into the
sea. The shark instantly sank to have
a run, then dashed at his prey. raising
his snout over him. and shooting his
head and shoulders three or four feet
QUE Of the water, with poor Jaekoo
shrieking in his jaws, whilst his small
bones cracked and cranched under the
monsters triple row Of teeth.
Whilst this small tragedy was act
ing-ond painful enough il was TO the
kind hearted negro-I was looking out
towards the eastern horizon. watching
the first dark blue ripple Of the sea.
breeze. when 4 rushing noise passed
over my head.
looked Up and saw q galiinnso, the
large oarrion crow Of the tropics, sail
ing. contrary 10 the habits Of its kind,
seward over the brig. followed IL
with my eye, until il vaiS.hed in the
distance. when my attention was at
iractcd by a dark speck far oui in the
Iolhag. with little tiny white sail
With my glass made IL out II be n
ships boat. but saw no one on board,
and the sail was idly tapping about the
mast.
On making nv report, was desired
to pail towards "a IN the gig; and as
we approached, one of the crew said he
thought he saw some one peering over
the bow. We drew nearer. and I saw
him distinctly. - Why don't you haul
the sheet aft, and come down 60 Us.
sic -
| lie neither moved nsr answered, but
ne the boat rose and fell on the short
sea, 'aised by the. FIRST of tie breeze.
the face kept hopping and moving a.
as over the gunwaIe.
4" viii soon teach you manners. nv
foe fellow! give way, men'--and I