Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-11-11
Gcletteo GaIe.
A YOUNG GIRL AT SEA.
A STORY or THRILLING INTEREST

/
On the 18th of March, IVA, the beautiful
frigate, Louise, sailed from the port OF Brest,
on voyage to the South Seas. She was as
lovely and neat craft as ever rode upon the
bosom Of the Deep Her three small masts Ia
pered gracefully upwards, the mzen one
slightly rakng; and her rigging denoted the
experience of the Captain and the skill of the
crew. She carried thirty six guns and her
crew amounted TO two hundred and eighty
men, including sixty marines.
| The first lieutenant was handsome young
man of about fve-a and twenty. Descended
! from noble race, the Count de Brssac had
adopted naval life through choice, although
the death Of his father when Adolphe (Which
was the Counts christian name,) was yet a
/ boy, had left him handsome property. He
had embarked upon the present voyage with
the understanding that he was 10 DC promoted
to the rank Of commander on his return TO
France at the expiration of the four years, du-
ring which il was presumed the expedition
would last.
| The ship had not been TO sea many days,
ere the behavior of the Count de Brssac at
tracted some attention on the part OF the cap
tain and the other officers. Whenever duty
| did not compel the first lieutenant 10 be upon
the quarter-deck, he was invariably cooped
! up in his cabin and to that cabin no one was
ever admitted, save himself. |. was presumed
1 he made his own bed, and performed the do
nestle duties OF his little chamber himself
/ Ii was true that ne dned with his brother Off
GERS in the gun room but he never remained
al the table TO drink the social glass along with
them: Immediately the repast was terminated,
/ he invariably rose from the table and retir-
ed 10 his cabin. His other meals he ate BY
! himself in that retreat, and If ever any one
| loked with him upon his apparent misanthro-
I ply, he merely laughed, or gave an evasive
reply.
I One day the officer who commanded the
marines, and who was an ELDERLY man OF Sc
we're countenance, marsh manners, and an in
clination to sarcasm which frequently invol-
we'd him in quarrels, pushed this system Of
1 haunting to such an extent, that the Count
grew angry, and gave cutting reply. High
words ensued, but through the Interference
! of the Captain Of the Louise, the dispute was
settled by mutual withdrawal of the mra-
ting expressions which had fallen fIom the
| lips of each. The generous nature of Adol-
phe de Brissac induced him TO forget the con-
duet of the marine officer ten minutes after the
settlement Of the differences between Them
| but the other from that moment became the
inveterate foe of the young Count
The voyage was remarkably propliious un-
iii the gallant frgale had passed Cape HON,
and continued its voyage towards the south.
One night the weather suddenly changed the
sky was covered with dark clouds; the sea
became a sheet Of foam; and the winds began
TO blow in irregular gusts Everything por-
tended one OF those awful storms which, in
| those climes, comes on with so little notice,
and disappear almost as suddeny--atter wrea
| king their vengeance upon every vessel over
which the wing of their whirlwind fury
sweeps. But the gallant frigate had plenty
| of sea-room; and all that was required was to
prepare without an instan,'s delay for the APP
preaching storm. The sails Were taken 10,
the wards lowered, the iop-galiant masts
struck; and everything was made snug and
secure in anticipation Of the arrival al the tenn
pest.
Scarcely We're these preparations completed,
when the rage Of the elements swept with
fearful force over the ocean. The vessel bent
TO its fury, almost turning upon her beam
ends, while hertops nearly touched the waves.
Then she arose again, light and buoyant, and
pursued her way, guided BY the skllul hand
ofthe pilot. and impeled only 5y single sail.
! Bui in a moment heavy sea came careering
! like huge monster towards the tTlgate.
"Hold her off" shouted the FIRST lieuten-
ant, who stood near the hemsman.
The ship veered point and was borne
back the next moment tine pillows swept
over its deck The sailors clung 10 the ropes
within their reach: they were firm; and they
uttered not murmur OF alarm. Adolphe re-.
NAMED at his post, cool and collected, and
with his eyes glanclng direct towards the bow
of the ship, in order 70 observe her course.
! The storm continued for some hours, but
towards morning its violence abated.
In the meantime strange scene took place
in certain quarter Of that ship which was SO
nobly and so successfully struggling with the
waves. The marine officer had retired to his
cabin about midnight, out not TO sleep. In
spite Of the storm, one idea, totally uncounec-
ted with the safety Of the vessel or his own,
was uppennost ID bis mind. He could not