The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-12-21
THE nEvEL IN THT MAELsrIOM.

THE EEvEL IN THF MAELSrEOM.
''Conc dance around. nv Jolly boys"-
sn'd the Captain. And AWAY went the
merry iars in continued circle around
the deck. shouting ill their lungs were
spent. u was drunken revel.
''Cnpinin." said the pllo, who alone re-.
fused 10 J"'n the Jolliiica,icn. 1--WE must drop
anchor u, once. The wind has died away.
aud The ship has performed a quarter cir
Gle within inc last hour"
ala, la! hn" shouted the Capfnin.--
"f'il' vonr glasses INV latis. Dance around.
around. say; the good old ship is keeping
company"
The piln, rushed hack with pno and
concerned look. To note the indications of
The ta'e-tclling compass. Presently he re-
turned with face IL, ID from fear.
"Capiain." he cried. ..for the love o!
iieavcn drop anchor at once ill the wind
springs NJ, for VIZ have entered the nnol-
sirom. Sec with the glass. Yondcr ship
Inns cast anchor. and is making signals To
u.s."
Away Thou white livcrcd fool screamed
the captain. My lads, III give you a song
lie hcgan--
"Awav. AWAY. with tho brow of care,
The DEVILS blithesome and merry -
Dad boots II where II there's pleasure there,
WITH plenty oi champaign md sherry
The pilot was frantic. no one volun-
teered to aid him IN dropping tho anchor.--
II was feat impossible for ono 10 perform.
Vow single shn, booncd from the other
ship. A boat pu, forth with line secu-
ring il Ia the vessel. The pilot ran TO the
heavy lie boa, but could no, move IT, In
vain lic called for aid.
Still the dance and shout. the song ofrev
clry went on. Once agnin he flew 10 the
compass and in despair seized the useless
helm. for no wind filled the sails, and still
he ship moved ON the mysterious circle
For the last time he came tn give the sol-
cmn warning I" the now rccling captain
/ and crow. lie begged and prn we'd 10 them
I" heed their danger; but danger seemed
I" have n fascinating sound, mud wn. an
swered with !: hugh. As they laughed, he
wcp'. cautioned them with tears, aud threw
himself into the sen. With strong frame
he swan through the fl, nj current tow ards
the boat pm, forth TO rescue. aud reached !,
IN safety. As long as line could be had in
the anchored vesse!. the boat continued its
why towards the ship with tho drunken
crew. They cnmc within hnil and called
on them Ia save themselves. One or two
sobcrcd bv the sense of danger, threw
themselves into the sea, and succeeded in
reaching the boat; but the others became
stupid. The line was at length exhausted
The ship could now bc seen slowly move.
inc IN the narrowing circle, vet those o.
board put forth no effort for their preser.
vatinn. II WIS n fearful sight. From the
other scssc! every eve WINS strained with
an intense geze. Rapid hurried action
was there. Still the line was extended
with every specei- ri material that could
he found i"r the purpose. Necessity be.
came the inventor Of ropes never heard oil
IN ordinary emergency.
i ta,al'cd not 10 reach tho drunken crew.
Without power TO aid. those in the boa, be,
held tbcm Fastening on To terrible grave
with tho agony and excitement each mo
fnent increasing. Nigh, WIS coming on
Faster grew the motion Of tho doomed shin
~ Inst the approaching shadows warned
4 them TO return. Darkness soon settled up
On and vciled the scene. and when the
morning ngain dawned. the ship with the
drunken crew Ind vanished forever from
tho sight
How fearful is tn" warning conveyed i,
such nm incident. Yet the dread circle OF
The fearful maelsirorp. is scarcely more Ger
tain in destruction. than tic cddy whirl d
ln,cmpcrancc.-N y. Organ.