Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-11-30
nv WILLIAM coMsTocK.

ny WILLIAM CoMSToCk'
The sun rose in golden splendor
-. tho Woahoa, one Of the Islands
ortbe Sandwich group in the Pacific,
and hi. rays ren upon the sPars OF sew
a a stately vessels in the harbor,some
orwbom took advantage ofthe wealth
sr,o loosen their sails while all pre-
nared with alacrity for the labors OF
the dav. The farbor swarmed with
canoes bearing off TO the vessels CO.
co,-nuts, bananas, sugar cane and
other tropical productions, while here
and there could be seen native youths
orly,ll-,-saxes.sporting on the surface
OF the waters.
II soon became evident by the stir
among the shipping, that some event
ofimportance was about 70 take place.
Boat after boat WIS dropped into the
water and the several crews could be
seen pulling off towards large ship.
Several ofth men leaped on board,an
they appeared to be well pleased with
their reception; ard that might be &C
counted for by a bucket which stood
upon the capstan, and tin pot which
ever and anon was dipped into the
bucket and applied to the lips OF the
lhirsting mariners. Soon the cry of
m hcare D! was heard on board the
gallant vessel, and all the boats, form
inc a line in front Of her, prepared to
tow her huge hulk out Of the harbor.
A squat figure who had obtained the
coqnomen Of Jack o Clubs, on ac-
count Of his person resemblance to that
worthy, stood between the night heads
Of the vessel, and gave directions to
the men in the boats, occasionally IN
creasing their exertions by the inspiring
cries Of "show a leg!" The ship gre-
dually wound her way ont OF the har-
bor-the boats cast off to return 10
their several vessels-then fell the nigh
ty canvass which gradually crawl into
their proper station; the creaking tor
sail Yards assembled the mast. and rea
dy hands above let fall the light TOT
callants which were at once sheeteC
home and stretched to their utmost di-
mansions to receive the tanning breeze
She moved over the waters rapidly
and was soon reduced TO a mere specE
in the distant horizon; fairly mbarked
to another port.
Ii was then that there came from the
mountains several most wan and mel
ancholy objects They came dowr
TO the beach and clapped their spectre
like hands with joy at the ship which
ever, moment; became farther and far
ther separated from themselves. The
smile upon their white and shadow
like countenances was a smile Of JOY
though CHASTITY and terrible TO the be
holder. These are the men who hat
deserted the ship of which we have
spoken, and now their danger was owe
they could rningie with the inhabitant
and satisfy the terrible cravings ofhun
ger which they had endured among
the mountains. twas a difficult achiev'
ment to desert a ship at the Sandwich
Islands. Native runners who knew
eve-y spot, every hole and Granny o.
the island, were employed TO fish vi
and hunt up the runaways. They wer
almost Invariably successful, as tn
fierce calls Of hunger would draw tn
deserter from his hiding place occa
sionaIy, unless he possessed the res
oution Of a martyr. Those who pei
sisted in keeping concealed, fed upo
roots, the bark OF trees, and were eve
finB gnaw their shoes. The JOY o
the spectre-like men may then be in
agined, as they saw the brig GROWN
dim in the distance, and felt that the
could now roam to toe island wlthoV
fear OF capture. and partake OF the {
ofthe land without danger Of handcut
and cat o nine tails. Not long Ina
these sons Of fame stood upon Il
beach, before another individual al
preached whose ruddy cheeks and we
turned limbs contrasted widely Wi
the haggard lineaments of the 9th,
wanderers. Yet he seemed to be O
Of the class Of beings, for on behold
ing him, the rest ran to him, and gree
ed himwi;h that peculiar kind ofco
diality which exists only among shiI
mates.
A person acquainted with the sta
Of things at the Sandwich Isles, mig
have discerned clue to the mystel
in the smiling and well-dressed natl,
girl who fingered by the side the la
conner. Il was evident that in his e
lie he had fallen into good hands, al
the Indian girl had been his purvey
during his solitary sojourn among Il
mountains. She had been attacht
by the handsome features and GOO
form ofthe you;h,a and the conse 1uent
was, that while his shipmates had bee
starving, he had feasled upon tie Z
ierings Of affection which the Indi;
glrl had laid at his feet. Ollener TIL
the coming day she had sought |
wild retreat, laden with the be
which the island afforded, and althou