Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-05-03
M Miscellaneous.
From the Nc,o York Mirror

from hc NC,o York Mirror.
IhE Turning SHIP AND THE SIGNAL
GuNs.-l.atc in :he autumn of 1S-, hap
pehrd TO he IN The southern part Of the u.
Stn'es' when some affairs of importance re-
r"Ircd my speedy appearance in Italy.
engaged passage in vessel which
was about to sail from Charleston, laden
with Cotton, for Marseilles. The shin was
commanded by Capt. S., who was also the
owner Of the cargo.
Without any noteworthy occurrence, we
had arrived within few days sail of the
coast OF SPAN, when we spoke ship which
had just come from Marsciles; the vessels
exchanged tho latest papers of their rcspcc-
i've countries, and Went on again i'm their
several courses. When the French papers
were opened within our ship. our captain
read with unexpected delight. that so small
was the supply Of cotton in the market. and
! so strong the demand for it, that the next
vessel thai arrived with freight of it, might
command almost any price which the ava
rice oi the owner should dictate. The cap
tain perceived 'ha, he might, pretty certain
~. realize a splendid fortune; n considera-
ion which filed him with the most enthu-
sasi'c JOY. Every sail was expanded to
'he WIND, and we advanced with the great
est rapidty.
Il
deserted apparently directly i'm The course
which we were making; as we proceeded
brislly, however, il fell 10 the sourh of us.
and we perceived that it was n ship on fire.
The light increased every moment, and the
Signal guns fell upon our cars with distress
ing rapidly. The captain was at this time
pacing the deck, as hc had done almost
constantly since the intelligence had reach
ed nm from the passing vessel; for the
rcstie,sneSs of expectation scarcely allowed
MN tn r"posc Tor a moment. His eve was
directed rcsoutcly toward the north, and
although the light now gared unshunable.
and the frequent shots could not he upbeard
aud the conimoIion and cxclamations of the
passengers could not be unnot,ccd--bis
@lanccs never fell upon the object which
cngrossch all others.
After few moments Of intense wonder
ana excitement among the passengers and
ere" al Inc silence of the captain, the steers
man called to Inn and asked If we should
not turn out to the distressed vessel; but tho
SssF sass!y ordered HIN t. a.!ega {. hs
solicitation Of The whulc company on board.
went up to the captain aud said to him
that deemed ii my duty To inform him that
The universal desire OF the crew was that
relief should be given to the burning ship
lie replied with agitation that tie vessel
could not be saved, aud should only lose the
wind; and Immediately went down to the
cabin aud locked the door. He was kind
hearted man by nature, and on ordinary
occasions few would have taken greater
trouble To benefit IL fellow being. But the
prospect of riches was too much for his vir-
tue: the hope Of great gain devoured all The
better feelings of his nature, and made his
heart as hard as stone.
The crew, in this condition of things, had
nothing 10 do out to lament the masters
cruelty, and submit TO il, They watched
the fiery mass, conscious that large COM
pan> of their brcthcrn was pcrishing within
Their Sight, who, by their efforts, might
probably he saved. Ii was not for several
hours that the captain appeared again upon
the deck. and from his appearance then, |
imagine that The conflict during this solitude
mnsi have been severe and trying. | stood
near him as he came up. His face had
rigid, yet ANXIOUS look; the countcnance of
man who bravcd, vet feared some shock
Ills back was turned To the quarter from
which we came, and ip that position he adj
dressed me caml v some Indifferent olscrva-
tons. w hie the conversation went on, he
cast frequent hurried Slances to the south
and east, till bis eyes had swept the whole
horizon, and he had satisfied himself the shin
WAS no longer in view
When we cicaclcd our destination, found
snip Just preparing to sail for Florence.
am! | took my passage, leaving tie captain
to dispose OF his cargo at his PLEASURE
About eight mouths after this, when had
almost forgotten the occurrence. | was sit
ting III the private parlor of London hotel,
when letter was put into my hands from
Capt. :. Ii stated, that the writer, vino vas
III The city, had heard ofmy arrival, s. would
esteem II very great kindness if 1 would
visit HIM at my earliest leisure; my coming
would he of the utmost importance to him
sci! aud others; his servant, it added, waited
To show me the way. Immediately set out
10 comply with the request.
Upon entering HE room was shocked al
| the change which had taken place in his APP
pcarancc. lie was thin, pale and haggartl,
with a wildncss of eye that almost indicated
| that his reason was unsettled.
Il have taken the liberty,' said he, soi
desiring your company at this time, because
ynn arc the only person in London to whom
| can venture to make application, and
am going to lay upon you commission. to
which am sure you will not object. The
circumstances of our voyage to Marscilles
will occur 10 your mind without my repeat.
ing them. | sold my cargo upon the mos,
advantageous terms; and was rendered a
once ii rich man. The possession Of wealth
wasncw to me, and its enjoyment added, il
my case, to its usual qualification, the char,r
ofnovelty. In the Capital of Paris. spen
many weeks Of the highest pleasure, unit
one day, on entering cafe | took upa Ga
zcttc. and my eyes fell upon an account o
the awful burning OF II. B. NJ. ship-M,
heart beat ond my frame shivercd, but