Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-25
FRIDAY, MAY Is, 1882.
From the London Metropolitan for .7pr'f.
THE LIFE OF A SAILOR.

We were despatched from the squaur Oh III Of
der to draw the attention OF the American troops
from Baltimore, whilst our army advanced upon
Washington; and consequently we were engag-
ed in some annoying and offensive operations eve
~ day and night. We had followed the iauda-
Die examples set US by the Admiral, and from
canstant operations since, were most cOnsumately
skilled in the art of house burning. 1t is quite
mistake to set fire to a house to windward, it
should always be fired on the leeward sde,-the
air becoming rari6ed by the heat, the wind rush.
es round the corners, and blows the flame into
the house; whereas, on the weather side, the
wind blows the fame round the angles, and does
comparatively very little mischief.-My readers
may rely upon this interesting information being
correct, because we tried the effect on two hou-
ses at the same time.
There are times in a mans life when his mind
forbodss approaching dangers, and prophesies
results; these hints are usually sighted until the
mischief has been accomplished, and then con-
science steps in aud brings back the former
warnings to our memory. We had, on the
morning Of the day on which the following event
occurred, not only burnt but robbed, house,
from the parlour Of which we had tilohed maho.
cany table for our birth; we therefore got rid OF
our old oaken affair, and placed our i'll gotien
furniture in its place. As this genteel apparatus
and the careless manner In which 1t had been
handled in sending it on board, /. as the caterer
Of the mess-to which high situation had been
lately appointed,-proposed that we should
take il by turns to polish the table, in order to
render it proper bright appendage 70 our birth
Poor Sands, who seated In a corner looking
wofully wretched, refused to assist; alleging as
A reason, that he felt perfectly convinced he
should never eat OF ii, as that night lie was to
he killed. In vain attempted to rally him from
the strange melancholy which had overtaken him;
he sat in a state OF almost stupefaction. | order
ed some supper; of which however he would not
partake, but opening his desk he made all his old
est friends trifling present, to me gavea silver
knife, and with sad cOuntenance, said. 81 have
nothing to send home; but my death will be severe
ly felt there" We, not having exactly the same
awful feelings as our messmate, burst into ut OF
laughter, which however neither excited the re-
sentiment nor the spleen OF poor Sands. At this
time he was the only midshipman destined to re-
main on board. the rest being appointed to the
different boats and different divisions of small
arm to be ready for service by nine o'clock. As
it was requisite to avoid any thing like suspicion
in the ewes Of our enemies. llhe frigate being pla
ced within pistol shot Of the shore, instead Of
using the botswain's mates pipes to call the
boats away, the order was merely whispered
along the decks. Martin (who afterwards died
in command Of the Nautilus. / believe, in
the Havana) being asleep, was absent when
his boat was manned; and Sands, who had
ofhciated in preparing the boats, was desired to
command her in Martins stead, thus he was
thrust into service upprepared, and here he felt
the certainty that his death was approaching.
That morning Sur Peter Parker in leaning back
wards over the taffrail to make some remarks upon
the rigging at the mizen-top gallant mast mead let
his gold laced cooked bat fall off, He said, We
ry thoughtfully, and in very unusual manner,
II much tear my head will follow, this evening"
From this moment he became thoughtful and re-
served; he prepared his will with the purser; ne
DESTROYED his letters; he made several illusions
10 his wife and children; and at dinner-l dined
alone with him that day-he was unusually re-
served and dull; kind Of melancholy settled
upon his countenance, and every feature lnd'cat-
I'd some secret foreboding awfully present to his
imagination. Nine O'Clock came; the boats were
manned, and |, as his aid de- camp, took my 'su-
al seat in his gig. All the BEATS left the ship at
the same moment, and, with muffied oars. and
GREATNESS silence, We approached the landing
place. When the gigs keel grated on the sand,
and the boat stopped, was surprised to md SIR
Peter Parker remain m0tOniess on his seat; aud
knowing his usual ambition to be first, | was ra-
Their slack in asking which was obliged TO do,
if should land first. This aSoke our chief from
his e,hargy; but instead of walking over the gang
board. he stepped Overbord alongside in the wa
fer and walked on shore. The preparation OF
forming the men, selecting the advance guard,
and giving necessary orders. diverted Sir Peter
from his melancholy. and he appeared as animat-
ed and flushed with as much hope and confidence,
as on any former occasion. Our troops consisting
Of the marines were about one hundred seamen,all
having been taught to march in line and counter
march upon occasions, advanced IN pretty fair
style, and we began to approach our enemies
The advance. guard, under the command OF the
master at arms,a youngster. had marched quar-
ter Of mile, when they discovered the pic
Duet of the Americans mounted on their hors-
es under large tree, apparently all asleep
Instead Of sending this information to Sir Peter,
they thought it wise to approach as near as pos
sibie and taking deliberate aim, fired at the sleep
ING guard; although when they fired they were
H. uof fhou. snnfr