The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-05-04
For the Voice of Freedom.
OF A GREEN MOUNTAIN
BOY
NUMBER I.

1t was in the summer of IS that I embarked, at
Ncw-York on board the fine packet l., bound
to Charleston, S. G. To one who has never wall-
dered beyond the visual angles that grit his own
loved Green Mountains the varied scenery in the
vicinity of Gotham is calculated to excite varied
emotions of uncomfortable wonder, not unmirged
with sensations of delight. The queenly city, SEEM
mgly enthroned upon the surface of the deep blue
sea, cncircled by snowy enshrouded forest of in
Vulnerable masts, with hundreds of lofty domes and
heaven-piercng steeplcs, dazzling in the rich efu
gence Of a summer sum- presents an extensive PIANO
rama Of moving beauty. The confused hum Of
myriads of human voices, nermngled with the rat
ting of cars and the ringing of bells nmates to the
stranger that he is in the great American metropolis
Crowds are assembled on the wharf to witness the
departure of the ship. beautiful steamer with
her colors floating in the gentle morning breeze ap-
proachcs our noble packet and we are soon moving
along the eXpanse Of waters. seated myself under
the balcony of the pilot house. to watch the beauties
of the spirit-string scene. The magnificent domes
of the great city gradually disappeared in the dim
and shadowy distance. We soon passed the " Mar
rows" and the islands on the confines of the ocean,
with their huge forts mounted with deep-mouthed
cannon, pointing defiance to the combined arma-
ments of the world. The steamer has now fired her
farewell salute our pilot has left us. That little
boat, now vending her way back to the city, APP
pears like Il mote floating upon the waters-anon
ehp hoS disnnnnornd Tho distant sDp,p,itc Of tl,a
blue Highlands seem to sink beneath the placid
bosom Of the sea. We are alone! Nothing around
us, save the wide waste of waters How mighty
the ocean! What grand emotions more magnii-
cent than imagination conceive or fancy paint
does its wilderness portray. Never have | gazed
upon scene with such r0pturous delight, us the
one now presented 10 my entranced vision. The
sun, with its full red orb, seemed to sink beneath
the mighty deep; and it not until the supper
bell rung out its merry peal, that was sensible of
my peculiar locale.
A happy company of ladies and gentlemen are
gathered around the festive board. The little cap
tam, with curly hair ova smile, laughing blue eyes
and buer coat, is very attentive to his passengers,
their little wants, conciliatng their es
teen, by his numerous acts of kindness, and driving
dull care away by his agreeable conversation, spiced
with fund of dro and novel anccdote, so peculiar
to the jolly tar. The cloth removed group is fast
into a state of intimate acquaintance,
while q trio is promenading the deck, and all seem
delighted with the prospect of fine voyage, so aus
picousy commenced. The hour of retirement has
arrived. portion of the passengers have retired
to their respective statcrooms, anticipating quiet
rest after the exciting scenes Of the day. Soon q
gentle rocking of the ship is felt. Old Neptune is
passing by, in his magnificent car, and has stopped
to demand an ample fee from those who have dared
to invade his dominions for the first time. The old
gentleman generally gets his due, as well as his
bic compeer in the regions below. was busilv en-
gagged with a paper, beside a little table, when
phintive female voice, interninged with the dolcful
sound peculiar to the gupng of persons nauscated
with sea sickness, fell on my ear. "IIelp me! |
am dying! l shall die Oh! my-ueh, ugh. .
Where's the captain? Help-ugh!" At this mo-
ment a state-room door opened, and the head of
choerc little Frenchman peered out, displaying
clarct-colored counteuance sumounted with pur-
pie nasal organ of huge dimensions "Courez
Courez Monsieur lie Captaine! lie Young lady
veel die, toutc suite-her veel die all in Won
leete minute. Sacre! Monsieur Saucho Panza,
ven him say, blessed be rhomne, who invented
Sleep for it covereth him over like blanket; it no
cover me over like Won eetle blanket No. can
no sleep Captaine!'
In a few minutes the gulping became general in
the cabin to the great detrment of those concerned
and the no small meriment Of the initiated. Let
one not Infatuated to the use of tobacco swallow
decent quid of the poisonous weed, and he will soon
experience sensations SiaiJr to those produced by
sea sickness, although by no means so violent. This
malady is indescribable. The sufferer, in his par
oxisms, would thank any one to throw him over
board, preferring sudden dissolution to dreadful,
living death so conspicuous by an utter reckessness
Of the love of life.
A sea voyage is generally monotonous. We had
such calm weather that we did not near the
stormy cape" until the fourth day after our en-
barkation. Masses of wrecks floating by the ship,
and the hoarse of the distant surf, betokened
that the dreaded Hatteras was in The immediate Vi
cinitv. The man at the mast head deserted the dis |
tant revolving light. A line was dropped, and a
watch stationed. Ourpassage around this cape was
comparatively smooth, and many heart leaped
with 10Y when it was announced that all danger was
passed. We were, to our great annoyance, delayed
by dead Gains for the space Of five days, or Cape
Lookout without single breath Of air to ripple the
CLASSY surface Of summer sea. The weather was
extremely sultry and oppressive, and general en-
nu began to appear amidst the ships company,