Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-05
ALEXANDRIA GAZETT E
From the New Fork Mirror.
A SCENE OFF THE CAPE OF GOOD
HnPE-A LEGEND OF THE SEA,

We were bound on a voyage down the coast
Of Africa. and round the Cape Of Good Hope
We had picked crew; all, with one exception
able bodied, resolute men, long Injured to the sea-
The one excepted was Harry Sommers, fair, de.
Icate lad, Of about ~ enty, who, from the weak
ness of his constitution, far filter to enjoy the
endearments Of home. than to combat with the
wind and waves Why he was ever shipped
cannot tell; but Of one thing am certain, it
was not from any inclination on his part for the
ocean. He had none of that elasticity OF soul,
that Joyous buovaney so natural to the young
A deep M melancholy seemed TO have settled upon
his spirits. His eyes had lost their wented ire,
and gave an expression Of habitua sadness to his
features, though in times Of unusual excitement,
they would brighten up with lightning flash,
that told of hidden feelings, and undeveloped
energies lie soon became general favorite.-
His gentle inOifensive manners NO won upon the
hearts of all the crew, that Dirk Garford was
the only soul on board, who would not have Pc
rillcd his life 10 do him service.
Dlrk was one Of those dsagreeable characters
too often found in society; who, possessed OF
great bodily strength, consider themselves emit.
tied to dumineer over those whom they come in
contact with, if they are not blessed with such
powerful frames as will enable them to resist the
usurpaton. Tie was Of most quarresOme dis
position, ever ready to insult, aud equally ready
To pursue with unurlng vengeance, all who at
tempted 10 retaliate.
From some unknown cause he had taken a
dislike 10 Harry suppose from the influence
the latter possessed over his comrades; an influ-
ence rhich he, with all his bullying, had never
bren able to obtain However that might be he
tuuk every opportunity to quarrel with him. 1t
was borus for sumo time with patience, but at last
the crew took the lads part, and swore il Dirk
continued his present conrse OF c0ndect, they
would rlog him. He defed them and struck the
lad. True 10 their determination, they fastened
him to the wiudass. and gave him round do
zen with a ropes end. His ai..ke vas nov
deepencd into hatred.
For a long time we had head winds and hea'
w SEA. This was nothing to US, old sea dogs,
bui Harry felt it severely. Poor fellow, could
not help nltying him as | gazed on his pale
cheeks, and saw han handle the rough tarry
ropes with hands almost as delicate and as white
a. a girls. 1t was evident he had seen better
DAYS, and that he felt the change. though 10
never uttered complaint, nor shrunk from his
dutie, while he was able to perform them.-
There was mystery about him which we were
never able to penetrate for his career was short.
In less than two months after leaving port, he
was taken sick and died.
The circumstances accompanying this event,
WIRE of a nature calculated to excite much int.
rest, and there was murmuring among the
crew, and hints Of foul play. These soon in
creased to b. DAD insinuatons directed against
Dirk, but they either fell upon deaf ears. or
when thew we're too plain to be misunderstood,
were received with an Indignation that appear
ed totally Incompatible with guilt The sur
eson declared that Harry died Of disease Pc
cu!iar to the African coast; and the Captain ap-
reared satisfied that il was so. Suspicion was
therefore, If not destroyed, at least iulled to
sleep; and the body of the unfortunate youth
was consigned TO the ocean depth.
Months passed away, and we were on our re-.
turn. when we were becalmed of the Cape Of
Good Hope. 1t was a beautiful night. The
moon was at the full, and looked down upon the
calm waters with her ow soft sweet smile, while
the distan, land seemed like heavy cloud skirt
iny the horizon. The larbnard watch had turn
ed out, and | had relieved the ,nan at the helm.
Dirk was pacing the deck with listless step
and a lowering brow. A change had latterly
come over him. Hls bOisterous oserbearing man.
ner in the furecaslIe, had given place to suIlen
moroseness He seldom spoke, and when obig-
ed TO answer to a question, it was only with
surly monosyllable.
There was little love between US, and conse.
ouenty our intercourse was always as slight as
our situation would permit. At present not
word was exchanged between US. Thoughts Of
nv home. where, with fearless heart and bound
Inc step, had cimed the mountain sleeps, and
gazed for the first time upon the broad expanse
of ocean, wishing with boyish ardor to attempt
its dangers, arose before me, awakened a thous-
and soft and tender feelings. Dirk too was en-
gagged in thought-apparently in deep and bitter
thousht-for ever and anon his brows contracted
with frown, aud twice he stopped in his walk
with sudden start
More than an hour had passed in this unbroken
silence, when Dirk sprang suddenly to the side
of the vessel. thought heard the sound as 1t
were Of q rope falling in the water
-. Hilloa, messmate!" shouted. "what's to
be seeny He did not reply, but continued tor
several miuutes'to gaze upon the water below.
He turned at last, and rushed towards me with
an expression Of wild terror in his countenance
that actually made me shudder
..There! there! see him." he muttered,