The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-02-26

Silence and immensity, liquid Saba
and their ship chained in the midst OF
were all that fell upon the senses of
hapless voyagers.
1t was the twelfth day Of the calm.
The sun was dropping towards the q
as to his grave. A large group W
collected on the Palatine's deck.
melancholy change had passed upl
them. Five weeks before their fac
were as bright as health and hope cou
make them, and they had left their po
amid cheers and salutes. Now th
we're pale and emaciated. A great pt
of their provisions had, in some ur
countable way become spoiled-mali|
nant fever was in the cabin and stet
age, and they were now met at funer
The disease, which was Of the most vii
ulent type, had no, yet reached tho
parts of the ship inhabited by the 81
lors, and the bluff tars stood looking q
with a grim Indifference that contreI
ted strangely with the saddened looks
the passengers. Vanderlin was the
with fever spot on his cheek, and
his arm leaned his daughter, lookir
him IN the face like the spirit Of bealt
for hitherto she had walked amid d
pestilence, like an angel of light, Vi
touched and scathless.
But, the mournful rite proceeded, ii
last deep prayer was said, and the boo
of the veteran commander of the Pail
tine glided into the depths Of the sea-
Wide waving circles moved upon I'll
CLASSY waters, and soon seemed to ca
up an answering and counter rippI
from :he eastern bound ofthe horizon.
Square the yards = shouted hars|
voice, 'our Jonnh's gone at last, an
here comes breeze The pnssenge1
turned with indignation and surprise 4
this unfeeling speech. Their eyes md
the demoniacal glance Of Mark Dnsen|
bach late officer, new master of The Pa
atine. His square, brawny form wa|
planted on the quarter deck, and his OF
ders were delivered with clearness AMI
authority, while the sailors braced roun|
the yards, and gave to the breeze th|
full volume of the saiIs. The passer|
gers felt that they, as well as the SHY
had new master and, quailiDg bs1
fore glances which they could neithe
understand nor brook, they retired eacl
to his place in the cabin or steerage'
Well had Captain Horner said tha
his first officer was match for Kidd
himself. He was genius in wicked
ness. He had served under Kidd I'll
the common atrocities Of piracy hat
palled his appetite and left the ser
vice, determined to something refined
and original. He entered the merchan
service i'm Holland and, being an nc
complished seaman, was soon able 4
procure the credentials that gained hin
his place on board the Palatine. II,
had heard Of the proposed emigration
and the fiend Of lis heart had whisper
ed that now a: last was the golden op
portunity to give scope TO his genius &
gather laurels on an untried field. Th'
second mate was a creature of his own
and the crew whom he as chief mate
had enlisted, were indeed picked men :.
Whether the disease on board was to b
ascribed to the unprecedented heat ant
calm, or to some diabolical arts Of hi!
own, certain it is, that, in Horner, it hat
removed the only obstacle to his opera
tions. Triumph swelled his form as ht
strobe the quarter deck. He beckoned
to him his second in command.
'Tis an i'll wind that blows nobody
any good, remarked this worthy, with a
smirk like the smile of a wolf.
wind = said Dusenbach, never tall
of wind after such beautiful calm. II
has been better for our purpose than a.
the industry we could have used. Only
think that old Horner shoald have beer
the first to take the fever
'One would almost think that he wal
inoculated for it, said tie other solemn
ly.
Have our readers seen the laughing
hyena ? If SO, they may form some |.
dea of the distortion of face with which
Dusenbach met this remark.
But now to business, Mr.. Dunscomb,
said the Captain (; 'are the men ripe "
'Dead rip" /" said Dunscomb.
But the younker, Reynolds =
Tho boys dead rip4Fferce as a
shark. He laughed and jumped and
followed like mad man when lei
him leetle into the plot ofour comedy
He said, and ground his teeth AS if he
could have bit marlin spike in two.
that proud old hunks Yaucoops Wander
liz had refused him his duughtcr ane
now, all he asked was to be appointed
his family physician'
'Ha ha he shall be their doctor, q
] will find incidence said Dusenbach.-
But let me see,' he continued, witt
mock solemnity, 'self-preservation is the
l. ..~,...a Nhov hovo Onf sbf