Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-10-13

afterwards hug9ing the trades try once
more to reach his destined port. The Gun.
egnnda, too, was heavily laden, and rather q
dull sailor; and our youthful skipper passec
many anxious hours, until he took the trade
wind strong from the E. S. E., and saw that
the chances were in favor of his wea,lering
Cape st. Rogue. He did weather the Cape
but had nothing to spare, ard had to make
several lacks along the coast before he could
clear St. Augustine.
One morning, when nearly in the latitude
of Pernambuco, willie the Cunegunda was
gliding along with a fine easterly breeze
Captain Granger came on deck about sun
rise, and while the watch were busy scrub.
bling and washing the decks, he went into
the fore-top-mast cross-trees, TO take lool;
around the horizon. He had been there but
few minutes, ere he esped, IN shore, appa-
rently standing off from the land, "A SAIL
He called for his glass, and discovered the
sail to be boat of small size, or a raft with
only one piece of canvass hoisled, shout
der of-mu'ten sail. The craft appeared to
be steered wiIdy-and lie was much puzzled
in endeavoring 10 conjecture why that trail
vessel was navigating that rough sea, at such
distance from the land-ncary thiry-Gvc
miles--and running tr0m the land, instead Of
approaching it on the other track. He was
convinced that some extraordinary occur
renee must have caused this singular pro-
ceedlng.
AS the craft drew nearer, Capt. Granger
saw that il was "A catamardn-a class of ves-
sells peculiar to South Amcrica-and con-
/ c riic pu IF h,punp, tDue &c g IL,
palm tree, cut in lengths of twelve or fifteen
feet, and arranged in the form Of a raft
These kinds of skids are very buoyan,, and
sail rapidly with free wind-and are much
used by the fishermen on the coast of Rrazl,
being often met with several miles from the
land, even when the trade wind is blowing
fresh, and the seas are sweeping over the
platform Of the raft. The catamaran, of
course, from its peculiar construction, cannot
capsize, and although wet, is safe and
'ol"rably comfortable craft in moderate wea-
ther-but it presents IA curious appearance,
when seen on the coast for the first time, with
It's rude-looking navigators, generally half
naked Indians or negroes.
As the distance between the ship and the
caamaran lessened. Capt, Granger fancicd
that he saw one, and only one person, on the
rafl-and that person was arrayed in the fe.
male garb His curiosity now became in
tensc-all hands were mustered on deck
and arrangements were made to board the
caiamaran, if necessary, and thus solve the
mystery. 1t was not long before the figure
OF the female was plainly distinguished. She
was seated on II chest or bnx-in an attitude
of helplcssness, and seemed, by her gestures,
TO be implorng assistance. She was evil
IDENTITY unacquainted with the management,
OF the craft, which was drifting, or sailing
about at the mercy Of the waves. The shin
was hove TO, with the man-topsal to the
mast-then boat was lowered and manned
and in Il few minutes, the catamaran, with
Its fair navigator, was alongside the Cune-
gunda.
The sight which was there exhibited, CAL
led forth all the sympathy of the young and
humane American captain, and his gallant
crew. The navigator OF this little vessel was
girl, not more than eighteen years of age
but of extraordinary delcacy offrame, and
lIneaments seldom surpassed in symmetry
and beauty. Her eyes were dark, and spark
led like Goconda gems-but her features
were thin and deadly palc-and although
they were now ilumined, by smile of 10Y,
yet ii was plainly seen that the falr advcnln-
rcr had been prey TO Intense physical suf-
ferinss.
She was assisted on deck, and received
with much Kindness and warmth bv the gal
liant captain, WHO was able To converse with
her in the Portuguese language. He was
much struck with her beauty, her youth, and
the singularity of her costume. Her dress
was thin and elegant, better calculated for "a
ballroom than TO withstand the rude assaults
OF the winds and waves. Around her neck
she wore necklace of great sprndor, and
her taper fingers were cncircleG with Jewell
led rings. Her garments were dripping with
the salt sea spray-and her hair, glossy, and
of raven blackness, fell unconGned on her
shoulders-givng her the appearance of
SybH Of the seas!
Her strength failed her when she reached
the deck of the Cunegunda-and she exhib.
tied great emotion at the idea of having been
snatched, as it were, from the deyourinp
Jaws OF death. Captain Granger, with much
tenderness, assisted her into the cabin-and
suspecting the cause of her weakness, and
The palIor OF her complexion, lost no time in
administering such resloraiives, as he knew
would prove beneficial in her case, and reno.
waite her exhausted faculties. lie then learn.
cd that this lovely Portuguese girl, evidently
educated in the lap of luxury, and unaccus-
toned to even the trivial ills of life had been
for more than three days exposed on the
open sea, and had tasted neither food nor
water.
1t is needless TO say that Capt. Granger's
attention to his beauleous passenger, whom
he had so unexpectedly fallen in with, were
unremlling, but Of the most delicate charac-
ter. lie soon ascertained that her mind was
cultivated and pure--and that she exceled
in those accomplishments, which are always
regarded as an ornament TO the sex. In IA
few days, her strength and her spirits were
much improved-and although still delicate
in her appearance, and fragile in her form,
she no longer seemed prey to suffering or
disease-her beauty was more resplendenl
than when she was first seen, for to il were
added the attractive charms OF health.
When we consider the forlorn cond;,;on