Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-17

the motion Of vessel at sea, felt, heard, nor
saw anything else until a late hour IN the night
when heard the mate say TO one OF the passen-
gers, "we shall lose the light in about ten or ut.
teen minutes" sick as was, crawled up to
this very spot where am now seated, and liked
my eye upon the lighthouse. that occasionally
sent It's ray like setting star over the dark wa.
ter-it seemed as the watching OF some kind
friend. An interval Of minute or two, and It
was not seen; the vessel gave an UNUSUAL bound,
it shoae family once again, and seemed TO say
for every one loved on earth, fareveA! Let
those who may, call it weakness; teer started,
and every thing else was absorbed in the thought
Of those that might never look upon again. The
narrow limits of my berth afforded but disturb
ed sleep; another day Of suffering was passed, 4
have felt no more the torments Of sea sickness.
July ga calm. The ocean is always aw-
fully sublime IN appearance. whether in the Gag.
ing tempest or when its bosom, smooth as wood
land lake, heaves with the mighty swell OF sleep
ing giant The sun is hot, but the atmosphere
pleasant; and although it retards our course.
could wish il might continue thus for DAYS; Sc.
verai fair faces have made their appearance up.
on deck for the first time. The awning is stretch.
cd, under which the passengers are lounging,
reading, playing cards, or teasing the captain at
his concern about the wind. Every now and
then as the sails flap against the mast, as if en-.
joyins the hoIydav. the little nervous man pulls
of his straw hat and twists it into knot; more
than once he has put it into his cOpious pocket, 10
the no little amusement Of the ladies, to whom
he is perfect Frenchman in gaIIantry, ,ohen the
,cind bLo,Us. Here and there sailor is swinging
about the rigging urdolng to do up again, that is,
keeping things in order: shrl - whistle for the
uipIS nccas,noalIv frnu, tho flo
and our good captain has been detected at il sly
ly, at oueh ne affects great Indifference to such
notion>-and here am at nv old station
Three days ago, while at breakfast, the cry Of
"a sail" shortened our meal and brought Us up
on deck; it proved to bs brig; she bore down
towards Us. and our ship was hove to. After the
first saIutation was over, there came from the
stranger the irresistible appeal, "can you give
us any bread? we are out, and half the crew aud
officers are sick below" "Send your boat along.
side" was the reply; it was enough: every thing
was prepared, and although the ran high. the
boat reached the ship and returned in safety.
with an ample supply, given cheerfully and CRATE
fully received. cannot forget the characters.
tic good feeling and generosity shown By an no
nest tar, VINO had been conspicuous throughout
the voyage for his Wit and good humor: always
cheerful, and always foremost at his duty. As
snon as the tuat reached the side Of the ship, he
disappeared, but in few minutes returned with
a bundle of bread, perhaps the savings from his
rations, tied in an old piece Of sail cloth: he
paused, ran his fingers under his hat through
mass Of black hair as il to STIR his thoughts, then
giving his trousers "knowing pull" slipped
into The parcel twist OF tbr Indian weed, toss
ed the present into the boat with a rough "there's
for ye lads" and walked of with as little CON-
Germ for the thanks or appreciation OF any one.
as If he had thrown piece of old junk over
board. On snch spirits the choicest materials OF
nature are employed, however they NAV be ca,
Ell in a rough exterior; he did but what he felt to
be his duty. he acted as his honest heart dictat-
ed. and may he never have occasion to know that
there is another in the world less nUble than his
own.
The sun has sunk beneath the wave. But a
te~ moments as0, the order brace the yards
vas uttered in an exulting tone by our lord nj
the deck. as he reused from ten minutes steady
contemplation of the horizon. Away went blocks
aud ropes: the sails swung around with slug
gish c'eak of the yard. reminding one OF Idle
ness reused from nap unwillinsly: then gave
two or three heavy flaps and hung as before.
'It won't do. Captain" said half dozen
voices at once.
i'n sorry to lose the company OF the ladies'
returned the Captain. with an ominous'y wise
look and gallant air: but If mistake not there
will be 90 chess playing or Waiting. on the
quarter deck Tomorrow Steward. have tea as
soon as you can. and every thing prepared before
the sea rises; and Mr.. -, have this awning |
furled and slowed away. We will not want it for |
a day or two"
Still every thing was calm as before A slight
streak was scarcely visible at distance: the !
ripple on the water gradually advanced towards
Us. and ere it had reached the side of The ship, |
her upper sails filled. she greeted it's coming |
with \ graceful inclination, as il overtaken by
An old friend, and gllded of with the breeze,
which increased every second.
How does she heads" eXclams our delight.
I'd commander. looking over his shoulder, to the
man at the wheel
Eist moth east, sir"
"Wa,ch your calls, and keep her close, you
ubber"
"Aye, aye. SIR" grumbles the old tar. But
i is late; | am in the way, as every preparation
S going on for ten.knot breeze before midnight,
md must close my book for to-day.