The Washingtonian., 1845-07-12
THE UNLUCKY TREASURE.
A NARRATIVE OF THE SEA

was distended by the steady breeze; the sun
was shining brightly, though sort of haze
hung around the horizon. Twelve O'Clock
had passed--the latitude and longitude work
ed up, and the chart was spread upon the
cabin table. The exact position of the ship
at noon was marked by black dot, and a
straight line drawn from the point of observa-
tion of the noon previous. All of US were
delighted at the days run, and the day for our
arrivalin port was fixed upon as certain--al-
most. No one seemed to be quite so elated
as our steward. His face was all smiles, his
the prospect of a speedy return to his family
excited him almost to craziness. By his I'M
easy movements, concluded he had some
thing on his mind, which he was anxious
to reveal, and gave him an opportunity OF
speaking to me privately. He seized upon
the glance, and coming up, whispered conf.
dentially that he had found " such treasured
"I've found" said he, "two whole baskets
of Champagne in the run; they belonged to
the former master, and the present skipper
knows nothing about it. Mr.. Weathergage,
the second mate, was with me when found
them; he must have one basket, and mean
to put the other upon the captains table
to-day"
| "Capital' cried !. "We'll have such a
jolli6cation !"
No spirits or wine were allowed by the
owners-and when Captain W***** came
down to dinner, he was not a little surprised
to see the table gaily decked out with Cham.
pagne bottles and glasses. Learning that the
wine was lawful prize, he entered heartily
into the spirit of the scene. The act Of demol-
ishing soon commenced with activity glass
| after glass was poured down and festivity
reigned supreme. Loud roars of laughter
burst occasionally from the steerage, where
the chief mate was entertaining himself on
his share of the prize. He poured forth his
lusty but melodious voice in sea song, which
riveted the attention of all in the cabin.
s"Such merriment ought not to waste its
sweetness on the desert air." said Capt. w.
81 move that Mr.. Transom be called into the
cabin, SO that we can have the pleasure Of his
company"
All hands seconded the motion, and MIR.
Transom was sent for. His appearance in the
cabin was hailed with JOY, Notwithstanding
his flushed face, and his unsteady step caused
laugh and some remarks, to which he re-
piled that she (the ship) was "gong some
now'
els she! % inquired Capt. w., raising his
CLASSY eyes TO the mates unsteady gaze.
How did the weather look on deck? 2"
"Oh, pretty much the same" said the mate;
but the fact was that as he passed from the
steerage he did not look at the weather. His
mind being stupifed by the wine, and antici-
pating the pleasures of the cabin, he noticed
as he passed neither the black clouds that
were rising up to the windward, nor the heavi-
ness Of the air, nor the second mate, who lay
asleep on the hencoop.
"Now for that song" Mr. Transom," cried |.
"Fill up your glasses first, and open fresh
bottle" said Capt. w.
eyes, yes-a bumper all round" said
another.
Conviviality now had full sway. The pas
sing hours, and the increased motion Of the
ship, were alike unnoticed Wine had control
below decks, and the wind above. A heavy
lurch, and a loud crash, accompanied by low,
discordant sounds, awoke Capt w. to an in
distinct recollection Of his being on board ship.
Springing from the lethargy into which he
had sunk, he rushed on deck. All was dis
order and confusion. The night was pitchy
dark-a tempest howled among the rigging
fearful seas were breaking across the deck,
which was encumbered by masses Of rigging
and spars. But one being was visible on deck
he was at the wheel, and using his best en-.
deavors to keep the ship before the wind.
The rest Of the watch were huddled together
on The forecastle, and part of them lay asleep
from the effects of the remains of the mates
festivity. Capt. WIS bewildered brain could
make out nothing of the situation of the vessel.
"Where's Mr.. Weathergage How does
she head? What the devil is to pay?"-were
the questions hurriedly put to the man at the
helm, by the captain.
emo light in the binnacle, sir!' was the