Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-10-05

ring, and his. bali passed through the heart of
his enemy.
tits believed, that it was the intention of
Arnold to have discharged his pistol,in the air,
and thereby make room for explanation: if so,
his purpose was changed imam instant. Con-
vuslvely bounding from the earth when struck,
with the look ola demon, he glared upon his
adversaryj endeavoured to level his pistol,
which .vibrated as he reeled, and, with the
clutch of death, discharged it as he fell.-
Struck with horror at the appalling sight,
Bowdon, advanced one fatal step, received
the bullet in his brain, and was caught ere
he reached the earth by his tardy but agonlzed
father.
Side by side sleep the victims of coquet-
ry; while she, IN thegarms of another, lavish
ing her Establishments, and mocks the love she
cannot feel.
With light airs from the land, barely sufi-
Gent to ripple the placid surface of the seques-
tered bay, we slowly sailed out of the harbor Of
Rio dc Janeiro. Bidding adieu to the comforts
and delights OF shore, and almost to the
face of civilization, we girded on the armor
OF endurance for al lopg and perilous voyage.
We had scarce gained an offing, when the
wind gently and almost imperceptibly subsi-
ded, and left us for hours riding helpless. in a
perfect calm.
With the hot and blistering noon, like bane
and antidote, came the sea breeze, cool and
refreshing; whose glad coming, long ere it
reached us, was announced by the white
foam of the leaping, sparkling wave. And
now, with light sails furled and boats secured
and all prepared for the rude encounters of
the sea, we braced our ponderous yards to
the stifening breeze and shaped our course for
India.
Little ofinterest occurred to vary the monot-
oEy of our long and tedious voyage. By way
of cheering the passage ofthe dull and lnger-
ing hours, the unior officers formed themselves
into school during the forenoon of each day;
and in the evenings, when not prevented by the
inclemency of the weather, those exempt from
duty for the time, assembled together-and
by tale, aud jest, and song, endeavoured TO en-
liven each other.
Some of the crew, more dramatic in their
taste, by the association of homogeneous char
acters, formed an amusing Thespain corps
and twice a-week, RECALLED their shipmates
with the representation of such PLAYS as Doug
las, TIE Deserter, The Rendezvous, The
Turnpike Gate, &c. The indulgence of this
taste, led to an amusing incident. One of the
most intelligent of the corps, also good sea-
man, was at the helm during the midwatch ON
a dark and threatening night. Tho top gal
lant-yards had been sent down, the topsails
double reefed, and every preparation made for
and approaching gale. Huge masses of clouds
swept along the skyi the stars here and
there, glimmered in the distance; the moon
just sinking below the horizon, threw a pale
and fitful beam across the waters; the ship
rose and plunged to the fast rising sea, and no.
thing was heard except the angry lashing
of the waves against her sides, and the shriIl
whistling of the wind through the blocks and
cordage.
On the thirty-eigth day, we were on the
meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, the
southern extreme of Africa; and passed it on
a rolling, mountainous swell, the continent
greeting of two mighty oceans. Like a cak,
tossed on the ripping sea, we floated buoyant-
ly along; at one moment, poised on a crested
wave, which, son the curl, hung pausing;" at
Their, embosomed in liquid vale, overhung
by crystal parapets, which in an instant crum-
bled away, and the mighty avalanche came
on. Although rearing and plunging like a
maddened steed, the gallant ship, obedientl to
the helm breasted the lofty surge and rode
skillfully on her way. A few nights after, the
freshening wind compelled us to shorten sail
The topsails had beenreefed and hoisted, and
the men were returning from aloft, when one
of the topmen stepped on an unfastened rope,
and before he could regain his foothold, by the
pitch of the ship, was thrown forward of the
yard, and in his fall striking against the outer
surface of the foresal which was inflated with
the wind, he was glanced overheard. The
life-buoys were Immediately cast away; and
gratings, coops and every light article, were
thrown over the side, in the hope that one at
least might come within the grasp of a strug-
Cling shipmate. The ship vas brought as
near 10 the wind as safety would permit; and
Immediately after, the startling notes of the
drum summoned the crew to their quarters,
and announced the decision of the commander
sustained by the observation of all, that the
tempestuous sea and rising wind forbade the
lowering of boat. The battle lanterns were
| lighted fore and aft; look-outs were stationed
aloft and along the deck, and dead silence
reigned throughout the ship; for every ear lis.
tened for the faintest sound, and every eye
scanned the wild and dreary waste, to catch
a glimpse OF their storm-tossed and doomed
companion.
What must have been the feelings of thai
poor wretch, instinctively buffeting against the
angry element, which he knew would be his
grave; where the sound ofthat familiar drum
whose signal he had so often obeyed, came n
ding upon the gale, and told him that his fear
wereTealized, and that for him there was M
hope! When the light streaming through
the pots, exhibited his shipmates on the
yards and rigging, their dress distinguish
ed, and the very anxiety of their coun
tenances visible-while himself, the cbJeei
of so much scrutiny, although SO near, IN
heard and unseen, shrieked, and struggled il
his agony
Whether he strove to the last--and, witt
the water gurgling in his throat and drumming
! in his car, sunk senseless and exhausted-ol
whether, with the flight of hope, he ceased t
battle with his fate. can never be known. Ii
darkness and amid the roar Of elemental strife
eperished!
| Our humane commander fingered for hours
and only when the last and faintest ray o
the most improbable hope had become extinc
was the order given to "beat up" aud steer tn,
appointed course.
JOSEPH cause.-The venerable father Q
| MIR. Gales and of the wife of Mr.. Seaton of til,
Intelligencer expired at Raleigh, N. c. on tn,
| 24th ut. in The S1st year Of his age. Som
years have passed since we saw the gray oil
patriarch, but his manly form, firm step, seren
countenance, and impressive manner are DO
fore us, as of yesterday.
Pure and upright, this good and kind gentle
man ofthe olden time secure the reverlng al
l 70 81 mont Of yzrho knauy him