Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-31

WOTkS, ana mOCklng tne skill ana hardihOOd
Of the mariner who had often braved the an
cry elements without considering whose hand
mpelled or restrained, or what power sent
forth and recalled the tempestuous winds,
and were apparently determined 10 learn
them their dependence on power infinite
yet invisible. In this dilemma, surrounded
on every hand by impending destruction, the
ship manageable, her masts, yards and
sails shivered in pieces, every surge going
over her fast shivering hull, what could be
more appropriate than to see the captain ap-
pear with Bible in hand, and hear him call
on all hands 10 bow with him and supplicate
mercy and salvation of Almighty Cod
Then bowed stout hearts and naughty knees
hitherto unbent. Then went upwards heart
felt desires, while the language of each was,
Lord save, or perish, !" As il to prove
the faithfulness of God, their cries were
heard and answered; and He who holds the
winds in his fist, restrained the fury of the
raging elements, and by the persevcring eff
forts of the crew the ship was brought into
Brazilian port, so much injured as 10 require
hauling up for repairs.
The disappointment of the Captain in not
being able to make his first voyage of COM
mand profitable one TO his employers, as
well as prosperous to himself and crew, ad-
ded to the emotions he had so lately expert
enced, wrought upon his mind until it lost its
equilibrium and he began to evince degree
ofinsanity which rapidly increased till he be-
came raving maniac.
What more incontesible evidence have we
that the mind is the standard of the man."
and that Reasons comparing balance rules
the WHOLE" than the fact that when man.
reason is dethroned his best friends become
his first victims p? How often does the drunk
ard aim the deadly weapon first at his bosom
companion and then at his tender offspring |!
The maniac aims the first blow at the heart
of his benefactor. So it was in the present
instance! Armed with large knife in eth
err hand, he proceeded TO store where was
an intimate acquaintance whom he found
standing at the desk engaged in writing
Approaching behind him, he buried one of
the knives in his side and left him wetering
in his gore. Turning to leave the store
where he had commenced the tragcal scene,
he met the owner, in whose breast he plung-
. ed the other knife and left him beside the
first. Making his way into the street and
. overlapping every thing in his way, he ran
with the utmost violence until meeting anoth-
CT friend aud acquaintance who, seeing him
IN such haste, stopped him to inquire if he
could render him any assistance, when he
buried third knife in his bosom also. Thus
in the space of few moments were ushered
INTO the invisible world, three of his friends
whom, had reason maintained her throne, lie
would have been the last to iniurc.
Inc maniac was at last secured and taken
before sort of court martial, which at that
time, owing 10 the unsettled state of the gov.
eminent, was the only tribunal before which
criminals could be tried. He was condemn
ed to be shot and in spite of all the entreat-
les and exerlons of the crew, the sentence
was speedily executed. He was confined in
an arm chair and placed on the wharf within
sight of his ship and crew, and twelve men,
each with rifle, placed themselves in read
mess TO execute the horrid sentence of death
upon this naturally inoflensive and noble
hearted man. The signal was given, and
each perforated his body with bullet, and
left him writing in the agonies of DEATH
His crew witnessed the spectacle, but were
forbidden to interfere or in any way TO rem.
der assistance. From thence he was taken
l'teless corpse and suspended for some time
from large crane or sweep, erected on the
wharf to remedy the Inconvenience Of shoal
harbor by swinging goods from the wharf to
vessels at distance. From this gnomini.
Gus exhibition his body was taken, nut on
board boat, rowed some distance from
shore, and thrown into the sea.
Tins andad ,I,o ,,.o.-
ed but wofully unfortunate commander of the
whale ship; the brave and hardy seaman
the tender and confding husband, whose
warmest affections were bestowed upon and
reciprocated by one who was destined to long
fond dreams of bliss when she should again
greet her husbands smiles and help to m,i.
gate his cares, and with kind Offices cheer his
declining years. Alas how frail, how tram
STORY is all our happiness founded on the
subnnary things OF this inconstant world.
The ship having undergone thorough re-
pairs, and the command devolving on the
first mate. she again put to sea for the prose-
cntIon Of her voyage. She reached the Loo
hoo islands in safety but some of the natives
manifesting hos,iledisposition it was thought
best not 10 land but to proceed to Owyhee.
Here all appeared friendly. Wishing to re-
plenish their stock of ammunition The captain
and three Of his men went on shore. They
procured barrel ofgunpowder, and the men
conveyed it on board while the captain had
concluded to remain behind.
The sky soon became darkcned with
clouds, the winds commenced bowling, the
waves began TO dash furiously, and the ves-
sci rolled from side to side ill at length she
was driven from her moorings and became |
prey TO the maddened winds and warning
waves--the sport of the one upon the bosom
of the other. The sun, as If unwilling to
witness so unseemly sight, had gone down
behind the watery element and left the world
enveloped in thick gloom. The elements,
like beasts Of prey, now seemed to break
forth with more than wonted violence, as if
determined to destroy whatever might come
within their course-to blast every hope of
the wording, and teach HIM to recognize the
all-powerful hand Of Supreme Being and
his utter dependence upon him.
While the ship was STRUGGLING with the