Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-03-22

VIII be happy thlng II we can claw OH shore.
And indeed, during the lull of the wind, the
roar of the surf was distinctly audible; and
sickly CLEAN OF moonshine exhibited the foam
of the surge and the white coast beyond it.
We continued to the northwest, until the in
creasing noise of the breakers. admonished us
of the proximity of the land ahead, when the
word was given for stays. The brig came up
very lively, and wore upon the other tack and
now the long line of foam was visible, and the
tumbling in of the breakers became more and
more audible. The wind had increased and the
vessel labored much. | suggested taking in
sail. "Not rag, by heaven" said he, ''if ev-
cry stick is blown out of her! Our only hope
is in our spars and canvas. The brig works
like top, and if not crippled can be relied up
on" On we went, dashinG thronghth the waves
with the speed of falcon. Talbot, said |,
what are our chanccs!" 'If we can weather
Point Iaucra. possibly we may run through
the reef and escape: but I tell you, my boy,
that it is running the gauntlet: and Heaven
send. that nothing gives way.' The land on
the lee bow began 10 be visible, and, 10 my
rreat alarm. observed that we barely looked
to wndward of the dreaded point. When with
in half a mile, the word, ''readv about" was
given. ''Now for it, said Talbot At that
instant heavy lurching sea struck lis on the
weather quarter, parting our peak halyards, and
letting down the GAIT .'Hod on of allI'' shout
ed Talbot, at the full blast of the trumpet. "a
pull upon the lee braces and beiav! Harry"
said he, stem minutes will decide the matter.
We can scarcely hope to weather the Point:
prepare for the worst" | ran below, snatched
my commission from nv trunk, and, placing it
in my waistcoat pocket, tied my handkerchief
about my waist above it. This, thought Twill
serve to identify my body, if by miracle it should
ever be found: and ia two minutes was again
at Tabot's side. We were close aboard of the
Point, and, to my great SURPRISE we had moi
fallen off, as much as the crippled state of our
ship had led US to expect: but seemed to look
up the better as we approached the land. For
a moment, felt my heart aad breath suspended,
as we swept past the cape, almost in the edge
of the breakers. The halyards were knotted,
and, edging away point or two, we entered
upon the dangerous navigation. "Talbot," said
|, "what are those dark masses in the bottom,
so distinctly relieved by the white sandr-
''They are rocks, my boy: and, God send, we
touch none of them, for they beset us on every
side" he answered. "Here, sir" said he to
the AFFECT master, now sobered, stake the helm
as 90 forward and the look out, and, Harry.
stand by him, and see that he minds the cund."
For sometime he continued to direct the mo-
tions of the vessel: now starboard; no port;
until we began to feel the influence of the
stream, and the danger was over.
| will not repeat the nautical homily which
was read to the patient master. And we took
good care to search the lockers of his stateroom
and sequester the dangerous fluids that bedev-
eled him. before we restored him, and then but
partially to the command. The fright he had
experienced was useful lessen to him, and he
had no reason to complain of his negligence on
the passage home. One evening, when Talbot
was below, aud we we're together on the deck,
| asked the master what he thought of our es-
cape. "A miracle! A special Providence of
God, for which | mean to be duly thankful, and
eschew rum, and the devil for ever. IT," he
continued, sit was ever known, that a current
set back round Point Tancra, it might bave
been owing to that. But have known these
seas. from boy, and such a thing has never
been heard Of" | afterwards told Talbot the
conclusion to which our master had arrived
81 am gad," he answered, "that he has taken
that view of it, and hope he may profit by the
lesson. But the suppositlon of the current is
the true solution: and such a one must actual
iy have existed which, setting under our lee
bow, horsed us TO wIndward, so as to enable
us 10 weather the Cape. This might have
been caused by the heavy northeast wind, dri-
wing back the waters of the gulf; which re-
turned with increased rapidity, and added velo-
city to the stream, at the shifting of the wind
Those crowding through the strait, formed a
counter current along the shore. But leave
Thompson to his pious conjecture, and the stool
of repentance. 1t was, indeed, the providence
of God which wrought our safety by this very
current, so unusual and unknown. But moth
ing so much astonishes ne as the stupid gnor-
ance Of the men We have had aboard of us, in
the capacity Of thoroughbred seaman: alone
exceeded BY that of mate of the same kidney,
at my last voyage. 1t was in the day -tiusethe
weather was fine, and I was below in my cot,
IN an uneasy slumber; when still sleeping, /
heard the mate voice, singing out, 'Starboard:
starboard, Psrs little! Hard portr' sprang
upon deck, and on the starbeard beam, was a
monstrous whale, which he was endeavoring
to run down: and l had just time get to the
helm, and jam it hard starboard, so as to es-
cape the danger"
"Talbot," said I, 'tbose miserable devils
have kept us so busy on the passage out, and
in Jamaica, that have not had time to ask, or
you to give me, the history of your adventures
during the time we have been separated. This
is favorable moment. so let US have them"
'Well.'' said he, Il must 0verhauimy log book.
and Won have page or two. if you do not get
weary listening" mo fear of that, answer
ed ''bocin it now, and spin away" The mas
ter coming up at that instant, Talbot replied,
''We will postpone your request until to-mor-
row.
A CLERGYuAS IL TRoUBLE.-Some time a.
20 tho Row Alfrod Hawlatf of AStIav E,r