Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-04-06
From the Western Shield.
THE CONVOY.

departure Of an English convoy; the
day Of sailing had at length arrived.
and We were waited gracefully to sea,
by the tradewind, which blew fresh
and favorable and promised with its
continuance a speedy arrival at the
United States. The fleet was comPo-
Sod Of at least forty sail; vessels Of all
nations, who had like US sought the
conveys protection from the many pi-
ratiea al cruisers, which at that time in
tested the shores Of the West India
islands. There might have been seen
the clumsy Ho:lander, and the more
fragile vessel Of Spain, the large un-
wieldv barque Of Russia, and the light
ielucca Of the Mediterranean, the
strong and handsome Englishman, and
the beautiful, fast sailing trader Of the
United States, the high black Iugger
Of Bremen, and the long low cruiser Of
Portugal: all with their flowing Can
vass set; gracefully p!oughins the
green waves Of the Atlantic. lhad
embarked in an American ship bound
for the port Of Baltimore, truly noble
vessel, and ] felt secret pride thrill
my veins, as cast my eyes along the
tapering spars, suffering them to rest
upon tie well trimmed head rigging
ard belIying top-saii, there was not IA
brace, stay or haulyard, but was drawn
tight to its respective place, and the
light foot ropes hung in graceful curves
from the numerous yards III beautiful
contrast with the running and station
AIRY rigging. On deck every thing
presented rs neat an appearance As
aloit, the guns were newly pal ted
ard hound to their places with widely
plated breeChi' z, the deck had been
cleared ofevery fibre Of useless stuff,
and the running rigging hung from e
elects and Delay ing pins in beautiful
coils. When ] had tinishedmy survey OF
he temperance, turned almost invol-
unfairly towards tie stern, aud suffer d
nv gaze to TALL upon the STAR SPAN
G,Ep BANNER, which rolled in grace
full folds from the main gaH-thc guar
dia" of all this beauty-the protoc-
tion Of all this elegarcc.
Our Captain was a large aud finely
moulded mar, but the most distant and
tacit beir. / had ever encountered;
h. would sand for hours leaning over
the taiirail and gazing nthe blue deep
OF the ocean. as il he could read there
H. some darkiy fascinating page of fu
tuIty; his eyes were grey and dceply
sunkcn, yet they flowed with an al
most unnatural ldstrc, and seemed to
search ard be satisfied OF your most
secret thought with n glance; to a
superficial observer he appeared a
being lily calculated to gain the affec'
.io'.> OF mankind, yet every one OF
boa 4 loved him, and appeared to take
pleasure in executing mis- mandates:
there was something SO sineula'l, and
iHpre>sivc!y interesting, in the ex
preston Of his countenanCe--scme
thir. So stern. 81 noble and 50 decisive
that ! telt as ] gazej upon him, tia,
Ills like | should never behold again
As lily eyes tll from the banner OIL
NY country they encountered bis; lie
had been observing NE for some tine
aud felt that Ills penetrating glance
was master of my feelings. "Ameri
can, said he. advancing, '''hese hand,
were The first that ever raised yoI
proud banner to Il gait, ] fought, bleo
ard conquered under your stars and
stripes. and VI bile the arm which frs
reared il is lett raC. it shall never be
lowered in submission to created man.
] could make DO answer to his speech
tut | gra>ped his band with pressure
which Indicated far more than word:
cCul'i express. after a moments pause
lie looked around to observe that none
were within hearing. and again resum
ed, ~ es. stranger, once shot MAI
dead for la,irg his hands upon tn.
hau!yaIds with the intent Of striking
that proud banner to a foeman." 4
fierce. though animated light for a mo
merit i!lumcd lis expressive eye. an,
then turning abruptly away, he STROBE
10 Il distant part Of the quarter deck
which seemed to forbid further inter
course; this singular man had made
deep impression On me. and resolved
10 study him well during the voyag,
There was general movement d
nonst the ships company, and tn
eyes of all on hoard were turncd &c
wards the squadron, ard then inqul,
insly. on the captain. is 10 hear at
obey his commands.