The native American., 1839-07-13
From IN. Ns,p York Literary Gazette.
TIE CAPTAIN AND HIS SON.

1
T The following account of remarkable IN
stance of heroism and fal affection, as related
| by Napoleon himself, is taken from Neno,6S ae
6foJo,ne Ia D,tchesse d. .4Jrantes.-Ed. Lii.
Gazette.
/ have already mentioned the Emperor's ta-
lent in STORYTELLING. When describing naval
action, his powerful words, like those OF Homer,
would set the waves Of the sea in motion, make
the cannon roar, and represent to your fancy the
groans OF the wounded He would place you
on board of line.of-battlc ship, whose decks,
covered with dead bodies and streaming with hu-
man blood, began to creak from the action oil a
horrible fire which was consuming the vessel, and
whose thousand forkcd and glaring tongues dart
ed through the open port-ho!es, and ascended like
curing snakes the rigging and yards. This ship,
which a few hours before rode sovereign Of the
bay Of Abvukir, and contained more than five
hundred human beings full of life, and health and
energy, was now deserted; for all who had esca-
ped the hostile ball and dread splinter, have sought
their safety by Jumping into the sea and SWIM
ming to the shore One man alone remained UNI
hur, upon the deck, and with his arms crossed
upon his broad chest, and his face covered with
blood and smoke, stood contemplating, with an
eve Of deep sorrow, another individual, who still
,breathed, but who was seated at the foot Of the
mainmast, with both his legs shattered, and the
blood streaming from the numerous wounds he
had received. He was sinking into eternity
without uttering single complaint; on the con-
trarv, he thanked his Creator for Withdrawing
him from the world. His eyes were raised TO
behold once more the flag of republican France
waving over his head. few PAGES from the
dying man, stood youth about fourteen, dressed
in plain clothes, with dirk by his side, and a
G h. ;p holt To Look aI at tho
wounded man with countenance expressive of
the most profound grief, combined, however,
with resignation, which indicated thathe also was
fast approaching the term Of life. The ship was
the Orient, the dying man was Casabianca, cap
tain of the flag ship Of the Egyptian expedition,
and the youth was the Captains son.
..Take this boy" said the captain to the boat
swain's mate, who had remained with him, land
save ycur lives-you have still timc-and let me
die alone-ny race is run"
Approach me not said the boy to the sturdy
seaman; save thysef. As for me, my place is
here, and l shall not leave my father
My SON. said the dying officer, casting upon
the boy look Of the tenderest affection, my
dear boy, / command you to 60
A, this moment dreadful crash shook the tim
bers of the Ship and the flames burst forth on all
sides. frighnnl explosion already told the fate
of one of the victims Of this dreadful day-and
the same fate awaited the Orient. Already had
the planks of the deck began to kindle; the boat
swain's mate was for an instant appalled,, and
cas-, a glance of longing towards the shore, from
which the ship was only about two hundred
toises distant. For said the Emperor, "Ad-
miral Brueis. the wretched man, fought pcnt up
in bay!' But this feeling, SO natural to a man
desirous Of preserving his life, lasted only in
stant; and the boatswan's mate resumed his care
less air, after another attempt, on the captain ma
king sign to him, TO seize the youth. But the
latter taking one Of his pistols, and cooking it,
threatened to shoot him if he did not desist.
1t is my duty to remain, and will remain
he said. go thou thy way, and may heaven
help thee! Thou hast no time TO lose
Another crash, which seemed to issue from the
hold like deep groan, made the boatswain's mate
again start He cast look Of horror towards the
powder room, which the flames were now abou,
to reach and in few seconds perhaps it would
be too late. The stripping understood the feel
ings which that look conveyed, and lying down
by his fathers side, took the latter in his arms.
Go now,' said lie, and you, my father, bless
, your SON.
I hese were the last words the sailor heard.
Sprnging into the water, he swan rapidly to-
wards the shore, but scarcely was he ten fathoms
from the ship, ere it blew up with dreadful
explosion.
He was receivedby The people Oh the coast
said the Emperor i'll conclusion, 'and came to me
at head quarters; and it was him who told us of
the heroism of young Casabianca. What should
do in the world!' said the latter to his father,
who again urged hin, to 90 on shore; you are 60
ing TO die, and the French nary has this dag DIS
honorcdHseT
''rhis noble boy the Emperor added;
'and his death is the more to be regretted that he
would have gone further perhaps than Duguay-
Trouin and Duquesne-and am proud when
I consider that he was member of my own IA
mily!
Female Courfship in Rome.-The women Of