Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-31
From the New-York Mirror.
THE BURNING SHIP AND THE SIGNAL
GUNH
A TALE OF THE SEA.

/ remember an occurrence connected
with one of the voyages which made across
the Atlantic, which exhibited, by fearful
example, how potent an ally the imagination
may become to the conscience in its perse-
cution of the guilty.
Late in the autumn Of ls-, happened
TO be in the southern part ofthe United States,
when some affairs of importance required
my speedy appearance in Italy. The de-
lay which would have occurred by coming
to New ork to embark, and the incon-
venience of travelling by land at that sea.
son, induced me to engage passage
at once in vessel which was about to sail
from Charleston, laden with cotton for
Marseilles. The ship was commanded
by Captain S., who was also owner of the
cargo.
Without any noteworthy occurrence,
we had arrived within few days sail of the
coast of Spain, when we spoke ship which
had just come from Marsees, the vessels
exchanged the latest papers of their respec.
tive countries, and went on again in their
respective courses. When the French Ga.
zettes were opened within our ship, our cap
tain read with unexpected delight that so
small was the supply of cotton IN the mar.
ket, and so strong was the demand for il,
that the next vessel which arrived with a
freight of it, might command almost any
price which the avarice of the owner should
dictate. The wind which had been for some
days, setting towards the south, was at the
time getting round to the east, and proms-
ed TO bring us without delay directly to the
Mediterranean. The captain perceived
that, by availing himself Of the freshning
breeze, he might certainly realize splen.
did fortune; consideration which as he
had for years struggled with little success
in the pursuit of wealth, filled him with the
most enthusiastic Joy. Every sail was ex-
banded to the wind, and we advanced with
the greatest rapidly.
On the following morning light was dis
cried to the west apparently directly in the
course which we were making; and as we
proceeded briskly, however, it fell conside-
rably to the south of us, and we perceived
that it was a ship on fire. The light increas.
ed every moment and the signal guns fell
upon our cars with distressing rapidly.
The captain was at this time pacing the deck
as he had done almost constantly since the
intelligence had reached him of the passing
vessel; for the restlessness of expectation
scarcely allowed him to rest for minute.
His eye was directed resolutely towards the
north and though the light now glared un.
shunnable, and the frequent shots could moi
! be unheard, and the commotion and excla.
nations of the passengers could not be un.
noticed-his glance never fell upon the OBJ
ject which engrossed all others.
After few moments of intense wonder
and excitement among the passengers ant
crew at the silence of the captain, the steers
man called to him and asked if he should no
turn ont to the distressed vessel but the
other rudely ordered him to attend to his
own concerns. A little while after, at the
solicitation ofthe whole company on board
went up TO the captain and said to hin
that deemed it my duty to inform him tina
the universal desire of the crew was, tina
relief should be given to the burning ship
He replied with agitation, that the vesse
could not be saved, and that he should onl.
lose the wind; and Immediately wen
down into the cabin and locked the door
lie was kind hearted man by nature, ant
on ordinary occasions few would have TAX
en- greater trouble to benefit fellow being
But the prospect Of riches was too mucl
for his virtue I; the hope of great gain de
voured all the better feelings of his nature
and made his heart as hard as stone. ]
his mother had shrieked from tho flames,
do not believe he would have turned from
the course.
The crew, in this condition of things, ha,
nothing to do but to regret the masters cru
city and submit to it. They watched tn
fiery mass, conscious that large compa
ny Of their brethren was perishing With
their sight, who, by their efforts might pre-