Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-09-10
ALEXAND RIA GAZETTE

speaking OF the attachment Of Napoleon to the
young and promising son Of his brother Louis,
introduces upon one occasion the Emperor as tell.
ing the young prince his nephew the following
story. 1t is a new version Of an affecting catas.
trophe, familiar to all our readers through the
beautiful lines Of Mrs. Hemans, on the death Of
young Casabianea, aud is translated for our CO.
lumus by literally one of our "mo., youthful
readers. IN r finer.
CASABIANCA.
One day they were at st. Cloud, and the EN-.
peror was telling very interesting story, which
he related with that power Of voice and looks,
which have never seen, excepting in him. The
young prince was al first seated on the knees Of
Che Empress, but at length he slipped gently of,
and came and placed himself before the Emperor,
looking full in his face with his large blue eyes,
animated with an expression truly admirable
they were sparkling sapphires. His little bosom
heaved, and it was evident that he suffered with
his emotion. The Emperor was relating tale
fitted TO touch The heart Of child happily en-
dowed. have before noticed, think, the ia.
lent he had for story telling, and the taste he dis.
played in il. He often, for example, altered
little the truth, to increase the interest and ef.
nothing was added: it was SO judged by his own
emotion, He related naval battle, and, like
Homer, he raised his voice above the waves: he
made the cannon roar and the diving groan He
placed you upon the deck Of a vessel, the planks
of which, stained with blood, and covered with
bodies, began to complain under the action Of the
FIRE, Of which thousand tongues, Of all cnlors,
pierced through the matches, and assembled encir.
cling along the masts and Yards.
That vessel which few hours before, lorded
il royalty in the hsrbor Of Abourkir, and presen-
ted more than five hundred human beings, foil of
life aud strength on its deck, was deserted, and all
those thst had not been wounded by the bullets
Of the enemy, fastened to escape from certain
death, by throwing themselves in the sea, and
gained the shore by swimming single man
vet stood there, his arms crossed on his broad
chest. His features soiled with blood, black
with powder and smoke, he looked with sadden.
ed eyes on another man still breathing, lying al
his feet, having both his legs carried away, and
losing both his blood and his life, without utter.
ing complaint. He thanked God, on the con-
trary, for having taken him from this world. lHis
dying eyes were raised to look on the flag OF
republican France. A few steps distant from
the dying man, wa, young boy OF about four.
teen. dressed in blue, and without any mark Of
and in his sailor belt were two pistols. He
looked at the dying man with an expression Of
profound despair, but at the same time with a
resignation which indicated that he too had done
with lfe That vessel was L'Orient-the dy-
ing man Casabianca, commanding the Admiral
vessel on the expedition to Egypt, and the young
boy was the son Of the veteran chief.
Save that child!' said the Captain to the
Quarter Master save yourselves, both Of you.
There is yet time. Leave the old sailor to die
by himself He is now no more than damaged
old cartridge
advance not' said the Midshipman, waving
his hand towards him; save yourself. For me,
my place is here; will not leave my father
MY SON. said the diving father. casting
look on that noble child-a look, filled with all
the jov that can animate the heart OF father
nv son, command you to go'
At that moment fearful crasl, was heard a
mong the planks Of the vessel. The flames gain
ed the mastery-a horrible explosion announced
the fate Of the victim of that dreadful day, that OF
the L'Orient. Already the planks were burning
under their feet. The Quarter-Master for one
moment felt an emotion OF fear. His eyes glanced
towards the shore, scarcely two hundred fathOms
of, tor, Isaid the Emperor) Admiral BTueys, the
wretched man, fought where he was embayed-
that emotion, so natural to every man anxious to
preserve life. was but transient. He resumed his
Indifferent attitude, only his eye twinkied as be
looked at the young boy; and upon sign from
the diving father, he again attempted to force him
away; but the youth presenting one OF his pistols,
threatened to lay him dead at his feet il he per-
sisted.
Il should. and will remain, he exclaimed. Save
Yourself, and may Heaven preserve you-you
have no time to LOSE
Another crash, which burst from the bottom Of
the hold like profound groan, made the sailor
shudder. His eye turned to the magazine: the
flames were on the point IF reaching it. A few
minutes more, and il would be too late. The
youth feIt all that that look implied. and throwing
himself down BY the side Of his father, he encir-
cled him ia his arms--' Go, he cried to the Quar-.
ter. Master. Father, bless me-
These we're the last words the sailor heard. He
spraup into the and stretched for the shore; but
he had not made many strokes before the Torrent
blew up with fearful explosion. He was still SO
near that he was covered BY the nails & fragments