Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-26

ol the sea"
During this short dialogue, Abe and his com
rades were busily reefing the sail, and they had
now completed all their preparations. The day
had cnme very near to the hour OF sunset. APE
mustered his crew. spoke to them with brave.
encouraging tone, and ordered them to cast oil
from the wharf. In a moment all hands we're at
the halyards; aud the buoyant little FLYING Fish
sprang off from her mornings, under slngle sail
double-reefed and bounded along before the wind,
like an exultins doe loosened from thraldom, on
her native wastes"
That's darling felow!'' said one Of the par
ty that stood upon the wharf as they watched the
galan, boat heavins playfully through the foam
:" and wouldn't mind going to sea astr'de shark,
| if any one would challenge him to it,"
eff any man along the Chesapeake, SAIL ano-
Their, scan handle pilot boat in such weather.
Abe can.-But it's no use for man to be tempt
ing providence in this way. 1t looks wicked"
! ..He is on a good errand," interrupted the
first speaker "And God send him success.
| full venture! That negro has great deal OF good
and bad both in him-but | think the good has
the Upper hand"
The Flying Fish was soon far from the speak
ers. and now showed her sail, as She bent II
down almost to kiss the water, sPotless vision
upon the;dark and lowering horizon IN the east.
D.! At length she was observed close hauieu upon
the wind. and rapidly skimming behind the head
land of Old Point Comfort; whence, alter some
interval, she again emerged, lessened to the size
Of water fowl by distance, and holding her
course, with steady and resolute speed, into
the palpable obscure Of the perspective
When the last trace of this winged messenger
of comfort was lost in the terrific desert OF ocean,
with its incumbent night, the watchul ami anx.
ious spectators on the wharf turned about and
directed their steps with thoughtful forebodings,
to the public house at some distance IN the VII
age.
From what have related, the reader will be
at no loss to understand the purpose OF this Pc
rilous adventure. The fact was, that as soon AS
the intelligence reached NoffuIk that the brig
had got into the dangerous situation which
have described, some OF the good people OF that
borough took measures to communicate with the
crew, and to furnish them such means OF relief
as the suddenness OF the emergency enabled
them to command. The most obvious sugses-
ton was adopted of dcspatchng, forthwith,
small vessel to bring away those on board, 1t
should be ascertancd that there was no hope OF
saving the brig itself. THIS scheme, however,
was not 50 easy ofaccomp,hment as it, at hrst
seemed: Application was made TO the most ex'
perienced mariners IN port To undertake TINS vow
age but, they either evaded the duty, by sug-
costing doubts Of its utility. cast their eyes TO-
wards the heavens aud significantly shook their
heads, as they affiI med there would be more Ger
tainty Of loss to the deliverers than to the people
of the stranded vessel. The rising tempest aud
the unruly season BODIED disaster to whOmsoever
should oe 80 rash as to encounter the hazard
Rev ards we're offered; but these, too, failed OF
effect. and the good intentions of the ci,zens Of
Norfolk we're we'll nigh disappointed, when
chance brought the subject to the knowledge OF
our old acquaintance Abe. This stout-hearted
black happened to be i'll the boroush at the time,
and was one of knot of seamen who were dis
GUESSING the proposition OF the chances OF Afford
Ing relief He heard attenti-e!y, all that was
SAID in disparase of the projected enterprise;
and il was with some emotion Of secret pleasure
that he learned that several seamen ct establish
ed reputation had declined TO undertake the VEN
ture. The predominant pride OF his nature was
aroused; and he fastened to say, that whatever
terrors this voyage had for others. it had none
for him. In order, therefore, that he might
vouch the sincerity Of his assertion by acts. he
went Immediately to those who had Interested
themselves in concerning the measure OF reliet.
aud rendered his services for the proposed ex-
plot. As may be supposed. they were eagerly
accepted. Abe's conditions were that he should
have the choice of the boats, and the selection OF
his crew.
These terms were readily granted; and he set
off, with busy alacrity, to make his preparations
The Flying Fish was the pilot boat in which
Abe had oitcn sailed, and was considered one OF
the best Of her class in the Chesapeake This Int.
tie bark was. accordingly, demanded for the SER
vice, and as promptly put at Abe's command
She was, at that time lying at the pier OF Hamp-
ton, as have already described her. The crew,
from some such motive of pride as first induced
Abe to volunteer in this cause, wa, selected en-
tirely from the number of negro seanen then IN
orfolk. They amounted to four or five of Abe's
most daring associates, VINO, lured by the hope Of
reward. as we'll as impeled BY that spirit of rival
~ that belongs to the lowest classes OF hu-
, man beings, nd which is particularly excitable in
the breasts Of men that are trained to dangerous
achievements, readily enlisted in the expedition,
!. and placed themselves under the orders Of their
gallant and venturous captain.
The tender of service and its acceptance pro-