Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-26
SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1882.
A STORM IN THE CHESAPEAKE.


The production of gentleman Of Baltimore.
nAt the time to which my story has now al
yapced, an event took place which excited great
interest within the little circle OF Swallow Barn.
II was about the breaking up of the winter-to-
wards the latter end Of February-some four
wears ago. that in the afternoon Of cherries day.
news arrived at Norfolk that an inward bound
brig had struck upon the shoal Of the middle
ground. IA shallow bar that stretches seward be-
yond the mouth of the Chesapeake. between the
Two capes.l and, from the threatening aspect OF
the weather. the crew supposed to be 10 great
DANCER. 1t was a cold, clustering day, such as
winter sometimes puts on when she Is about to re-
treat:-as a squadron. vexed with watching po-
little enemy finding itself obliged, at last, to raise
,he blockade, is apt to break ground with an un'
usual show of brayadO. The wind blew lDgusts
from the northwest; a heavy rack OF dun and
chilly clouds was driven churlishy before the
blast. and sptted out some rare flakes OF snow.
These moving masses we're forming huge, black
yolIme upon the eastern horizon, towards the
ocean, as If there encOunterlng the resistance oil
An adverse vale. FROM the west the sun occa-
.onallv shot forth lurd that, tor the instant,
flung upon the dak pile sombre, purple hue,
and lighted up the foam that gathered at the top
of the waves, far seward; thus opening short
glnnpses of that dreary ocean over which dark
ness was brooding. The sea birds scared against
the murkey vault above them; and. no and then,
caught upon their white wings the passing beam,
that gave them almost golden radiance; whilst.
at the same time. they screamed their harsh and
frequent cries Of fear or joy The surface OF the
Chesapeake was dashed into frettul sea, and the
waves were repressed BY the up weight oil the
wind; billow pursuing billOw with an angry and
rapid flight, aud barking. with the snapplsh sui.
lenness Of tie wolf. Across the wide exPanse oil
Hampton Road might have been seen some few
baycraft, apparently not much larger than the
wild-fowl that sailed above them, beating, with a
fearful anxiety, against the gale, Tor such haroors
as were nearest at hand; scudding before It un-
der close .reefed sails, with uneovernable speed,
20 the anchorages to ieeward Every moment the
wind increased in violence; the clouds swept near
er To The waters; the 9 loom thlckeneo: inc oiras
sought safety on the land; tine little barks were
quickly vanished from view; and. before the hour
of sunset, earth. air, and sea were blended into
one mass, in which the eye might vainly entea.
vor to define the boundaries of each: whilst the
fierce howlns Of the wind. and the deafening up
roar of the ocean gave desolatiOn TO the scene,
that made those, who looked upon IL from the
shore. deyouy thankful that no Ill luck had tempt
ed them upon the food.
II was at this time that pilot boat was seen
,noored to pnst al the end of a wooden wharf
that formed the principal landing place at the lit
lie seaport OF Hampton. The waves were dash
ing. with hollow reverberations, between the tim.
bers Of the wharf. and the boat was rocking With
n violence that showed the extreme agitation OF
the element upon which it fuated. Three or
four sailors-all negroes-clad In rough pea-Jack-
els. with blue and red wooden caps, we're standing
on the wharf or upon the deck OF the boat, aPpa-
rently making some arrangements tor venturlng
out Of the harbor. The principal person among
them, whose commands we're given With bold
and earnest voice, aud promptly obcyed, was our
stout friend Abe, now grown into the full per!ec-
ton of manhood. with frame OF unsurpassed
strength and agility. AT the nearer extremity OF
this wharf, land-ward. were a few other mariners.
white men, of weather beaten exterior, who had
seemingly Just walked from the village to the
landing place, and were engaged IN grave consul
tation upon some question OF interest. Inns
group approached the former while they were yet
busy with the tackling OF the boat. APE hau
stepped aboard with his companions, and they
we're about letting all loose Tor their departure.
." VIVA, do YOU think of it now, Abe!' asked
one of the older seamen "a he turned his eyes to-
wards the heaven with look OF concern. - Are
gou stil 50 crazy as TANK OF yenturing out IN tins
galss' 49,,
The storm is like a young WOLF" replied
Abe. ~, gets one hour oder and two worse.
But this isn't the hardest blow ever saw, Master
Crockett"
at will be so dark tonight" said the other,
sthat you will not be able to see your Jb; and.
nv the time the wind gets round to the northeast
Won will have drift Of snow that will shut her
ewes. II will be a dreadful night outside OF the
cspes. see no good that is to come OF your
foolhardiness."
aSnow.storms or bail-storm, it's all one to
me-. answered Abe" The little Flying-fish
has ridden, summer and winter, over as heaVy
seas as ever rolled in the Chesapeake. knows
what she can do, you see!"
"Why, you couldn't find the brig II you were
within cables length of her, such night as
this" said another speaker;'andifyou were to see
her don't know how you are to get along side
sYou wouldn't say so, master Wilson,, re-
turned Abe. "f YOU were one Of the crew OF the
brio yourself. We can try. you know; and it no
L nj