Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-13
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
Extract from Landers' Travels in Africa.

About ten o'clock at night, when we were
sleeping on our mats, we were suddenly awoKe
nv a great cry of distress from innumerable
voices. attended bv horrid cashing and clatter-
inr noise, which the hour of the night tended to
make more terrific Before we had time to re-
cover our surprise. old Pascho rushed into our
hut, and informed US in trembling voice that
s.the sun was dragging the moon across the hea-
yens" Wondering what could be the meaning
Of so ridiculous q story, we ran out OF the nut
half dressed. and we discovered that the moon
was totally eclipsed. A number OF persons
we're gathered together IN our yard, IN dreadful
apprehension that the world was at an end, and
that this was but the 'bcsining of sorrows.'-
We learnt from them that the Mahomedan
priests residing in the city, having personhed the
sun and moon, had told the king aud the people
that the eclipse was occasioned through the OBJ
stnacy and disobedience Of the latter luminary.
They said that for long time previously the
moon had been dspleased with the path she had
been compelled to take through the heavens, be-
cause il was filled with thorns and brers, and OBJ
structed with thousand difficulties; and there
fore that. having watched fora favorable oppor-
tunitv, she had this evening deserted her usual
track, and entered into that of the sun, who i'm
mediately fastened to her in his anger, and pu-
uished her direection by clothing her in dark
ness. forcing her back tn her own territories. and
forbidding her to she'd her light upon the earth.
This story, whimsical as IL may seem, was re-
ceived with implicit confidence m ITS truth BY
the king and queen, aud most Of the people of
Boossa; aud the cause OF the noises we had
heard, and which were still continuing with re-
newed vehemeuce, was explained to US by the
fact that ,heS were all assembled together in the
hope Of being able to brighten away the sun to
his proper sphere, aud leave the moon to enisht-
en- the world a. at other times. This is much
after the manner Of many savage nations.
While our informant was yet speaking to Us,
messenger arrived at our yard from the king, to
tell US the above tale, aud with an invitation to
come and see hiuRimmediatsly. Therefore, Slip
ming on the remainder of our clothes, we follow.
ed the, man tosthe residence of his sovereign,
from outside of which the cries proceeded. and
here we found the King and his timid partner sit
ting ON the ground. Their usual good spirits and
cheerful behaviour had forsaken them entirely;
both appeared overwhelmed with apprehension.
and troubled at every joint. Like all their sub
iects, in the hurry of fear and suddenness of the
alarm. they had come ont Of their dwellings half
dressed. We soon succeeded in quelling their
tears, or at least in diminishing their apprehen-
,ions. The king then observed that neither him
self nor the oldest of his subjects recollected
SEEING but one eclipse of the moon besides the
one he was gazing at: that it had occurred ex-
actly when the Faatdhs began to be formidable
in the country, and that it had forewarned them
Of all the wars, disasters and calamlties, which
subsequently took place.
We had seated ourselves opposite to the king
and queen, aud within two or three feet OF them.
where we could readily observe the moon and
the conversation at the same time. II the roy
al couple shuddered with terror on beholdlng the
dar kened moon, we were scarcely less affected
by the savage gestures OF these within a few
ward, Of US. and by their repeated cries, wild,
SO loud and piercing, that an indescribabc sensa-
ton of terror stole over u, and rendered US al
most as nervous as those whom we had come to
comfort.
The earlier part of the evening had been mild,
serene, aud remarkably pleasant; the moon had
arisen with uncommon lustre, and being at the
full, her appearance was extremely delightfu.-
IL was the conclusion of the HOLIDAYS, aud many
ct the people were ENJOYING the delicious GOODNESS
Of a serene night. and resin, from the luxurious
exertions Of the day, butwhen the moon becamegra-
duallv obscured, fear Overrame every one. As the
eclipse increased, they became more terrified All
ran ingreat distress inform their sovereign of the
circumstance. for there was not single cloud To
cause so deep shadow, and they c"uld not com
prehend the nature or meaning Of an eclipse. the
king was as easily frightened his people, being
equally simple and Ignorant; he would not, there
fore, suf'r them to depart. Numbers sometimes
beset courage and confidence, he thought; so ne
commanded them to remain near his person. and
do all IN their power to restore the lost glory OF
The moon.
In front Of the kings house, and almost close
10 il, are few magnificent cotton trees, round
which the soil had been freed from grass, &c. for
the celebration of the games. On this spot were
the terrified people assembled. with every instru.
ment capable Of making noise which could be
procured in the whole town. They had formed
themselves into large treble circle, and CONT
nued running round with amazing velocity. cry
INC, shouting aud groauing with all their might
They tossed and flung their heads about. twisted
their bodies into all manner Of contortion, jump
cd into the air, stamped with their feet, and -four
lshed their hands above their heads.
No scene in the romance of Robinson Crusoe,
was so wild and savage as this; and large wood
Are, with a few men shifted and roasted before