The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-11-08
ADVENTURE IN A CALM.

For some days we had seen brig nearly hull
down in the distance of the western horizon; and
one afternoon, tired with the monotony of the
scene, another brother ensign and myself, with
our soldier servants and single sailor, started off
in one of the ships boats on voyage of discove-
ry toward the stra niger, whom after a hard pull of
two hours, we bo arded, and which proved to be a
brig from Liverpool, bound to the Brazils After
partaking of their skppers hospitality we stepped
back into fr all skif the sun, clothed in fiery
red, was just dipping his orb into the Atlantic,
whilst from the opposite verge of the horizon
dense masses Of inky clouds were rising; slight
swell was discernible on the water, and ssflying
cat's-paws" announced the approach of wind;
darkness was fast coming on, and our stu
alton in the event of its setting in to blow ere we
fetched the ship was none of the most agreeable;
however, we pulled with all our might and main,
and had succeeded in reaching nearly midway
between the two vessels. On similar occasions,
very slight causes will tend to elevate or depress
mems spirits to impart confidence or cast them
into utter dependency. AS twilight was fast
setting into darkness, as the forms of the two
ships became every moment more indistinct, and
the heavens assumed more threatening appear
ance, two large sea birds kept Tapping around US,
and approaching nearer and nearer, till we could
almost feel on our heated and flushed countenanccs
the air which was set in motion by the movement
of their broad pnons.
At this moment a large fin protrudcd out of the
dark waters, from some still darker object beneath
who was with US pronounced to be shark, and
his alarmed countenance tended to impart to US
but little confidence. Sailors are proverbally
superstitious the mountain waves, the flying scud,
the immensity of ocean, seen under every variety
of appearance the dense clouds or starry heavens,
contemplated during the long and still hours Of
the midnight watch, may tend to nourish this feel
ing. On the present occasion our hardy tar, who
doubtless would have braved hundred foes on
an enemy's deck was fairly taken "aback;" and, as
doubtingly he shook his head, candidly acknow-
lodged that he liked not the present state of things
when the very fowls of the air and fishes of the
sea appeared, in conjunction with the elements, to
be contemplating our destruction. "But, gentle
men, added he, "'tis no use palavering about it
let us give way with will, and if you can still
see the hull of the ship, steer little ahead OF it
sir, and we may yet have the luck to reach hel
before the wind freshens." This latter part of his
sentence was directed to me, and darkness had SC
far gained on us that had some difficulty in fol-
lowing his directions; however at the moment
bright light appeared in the rigging; we gave three
cheers, pulled Justify toward this beacon of oul
hopes, and just reached the vessel in time to save
ourselves from the gale which had been brewing
for some time past, and soon came on with
violence that must inevitably have overwhelmed
us in our frail little skif.-COl. Ndpier's Uild
Sports.