Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-04-25
From the Religious Magazine.
A SCENE All SEA,

, In June Of 1885, the writer Of this arti-
Gle took passage in "A packet, from south
ern city for New York. 1t was lovely
morning. A fair wind swept us from the
wharf. Fort AFTER tort, and island after is
land were rapidly passed as we stretched
out OF the beautiful harbor. There was a
crowd Of passengers. Gaiety and cheer
lulness prevailed for our circumstance
conspired 10 promote IT. Some Of us, al
Ter long absence were fastening toward
home, the place where all endearments
meet Others were on visits OF pleasure
and relaxation to the healhlul scenes OF q
northern summer. A couple Of leagues OF
distance were passed. But an incident, al-
lecting and painful 10 me at least, occur
red.
In slowing away some articles o. freight,
Ire chief mate Of the ship discovered a
slave, WHO had secreted himself in the hold,
in hope of escape from bondage, He had
made the necessary provision for his sup
port during the passnge, in some simple ar
| Giles of food, which, with couple of blan-
kets which he had provided for his bed,
were drawn forth from the darkness and
/ presented 10 sight.
looked on this scene with the deepcnt
sympathy for him, a slave indeed, but aman
There he stood, OF fine form and noble lea
! lures. He appeared about thirty years o.
age. gave him the aprellation, man. Sc
he was. And then he must have had the
feelings of human nature. And what must
have been the anxielies Of his mind as he
laid this plan Of escape and carried it into
execution? How strong must have beer
his emotions, as in the darkness oil midnight
he slowed himself away in the hold, ant
made the various necesSai v arrangements Il
escape the observation of all on board
How nigh must have been the exultatio o
hope, as he heard the iastenings OF the shiI
cast off-as he heard the dashing OF TIT
passing waves, indicating the progress
toward the land Of freedom! " hat pleas
ant scenes must have arisen before him
as he thought Of stepping on that distan
shore where he should be a slave no long
er! say he was man. and Therefore
such emotions as these must have arisen il
his bosom.
But suddenly the fair fabric Of his hope
} were dashed in pieces. The officers ey,
fell upon him. His stern voice called iron
his dark retreat. What 4 sornd for hi
car! What anguish Tor his heart! Th,
bright visions OF his fancy were suddenly
overshadowed with erriabe darkness
You could see the emotions Of sadness anC
despair on his cuuntenance, as he slowly
asecndcd from his place ofreiuge and stoot
before us.
There were some OF the passengers who
uttered the bitter curse upon him, and the
still more bitter lest. ! heard the rude
laugh as strains Of heart-cuttipg ridicule
rang in his cars. But all This was mos
harshly at variance with the mJurniul real.
ity OF the scene. | could have wept ovel
the unhappy man. | could not see such de.
lghtiul hopes, as knew must have glad.
dened his soul, thus cllven down without
deep sympathy with him. ! could not see
but with strong emotion n fellow being
Just bursting from the bondage and oppres
sion OF thirty years, thus cruelty thrus
back again into the iurnaCc-to be for hin
f heated seven fold. | could not see tina
, crushed and bleeding heart, those withereC
} and expiring hopes, and suffer my thoughts
10 glance at that prospect OF gloon, which
had 81 suddenly succeeded such blessed eX
peclalinn. | could not do this, withou
heartfelt grief. | was bound with him
= And could not but see, as clearly as TIT
: midnight lightnng's is seen, the odiou
influence ofa system, which cou d make S,
: sad n spectacle an occasion of curses o
merrlment: which could steel the heart q
inscnsibii,y when so powerful an appea
was made 10 its sympathies.
: By the captains order The slip was how
TO, and signal was soon flying 10 reca
= the pilot-boat which had just left us. In al
: hour The unhappy slave vas on his wa.
: to his master. But before the flight of an
other hour lie was in the eternal world
: Rather than fall into the hands of men, h
chose TO 'lall into The hands Of the lvinl
Cod He threw himself into the sea AM
was seen no more