The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-07-11
A SCENE AT SEA.

= =. g
i sta A SCENE AT SEA.
The war had broken out between ENGLAND
and Fronce. Bonaparte had broken the
treaty Of Amiens. All was consternaiioI
among oni counrymen in India, particularly
those who had valuable cargoes at sea, ant
those who were about 10 return TO their ma
tive land. / was one Of the latter class: sc
4 joyfully accepted a passage home on boarc
a Dane Denmark as yet, remaining, neutra
in our quarrel. 5a,
Z So far as luxury went, | certainly found
hrvery inferior 10 our regular lndiamen, but
as sailor, she was far superior, and in poinI
of discipline, her crew was as we'll regula.
led, and as strictly commanded, as the crew
of Brilish-man-of-war. In fact, such order,
regularity, and implicit obedience, could
never have believed to exist on board a
merchantmen. The chief mate was one ol
the finest young men versaw. He had
lust been promoted 10 his present post--nol
from The mere fact of his being the owners
son, but really from sterling merit. He was
beloved by the crew, among whom he had
served, as is usual ia. the Danish service, five
years, and was equally popular with his b'oth.
er officers. and the passengers returning to
Europe. 81 8
b The only bad character we had on board
was the cook, swarthy, ill-looking Portu-
guese, who managed, somehow or other; dai-
" TO cause some disitrEance among the sea-
inen. Forihs he had ofteH been repiiman.
ded and the evening when this sketch opens,
he had just been released FROM irons, into
(which he had been ordered for four-and-
twenty hous by the chief mate, for having
ATTEMPTED to poison sailor who had offend.
ed him. In return for having punished him
thus severely, the irriiated Portuguese swore
to avenge himself ON the first officer.
The mate, who was called Charles, was
walking in the waist with beautiful young
English girl, to whom he was engaged 10 be
: married, stopping occasionally 10 admire the
flying fish, as they skinned over the surface
Of the water, pursued by their cruel destroy
er, talking over the anticipated bliss their
Union would confer, their hopes and fears,
The approval Of their parents, their bright
prospects, indulging in future scenes Of life,
as steady as the trade.wind before VIII 'ch
they were quietly lunniDg-when suddenly,
ere soul could nterpose, or even suspect
{ his design, the cook rushed forward and bu-
ried his knife, uithone plunge, into the heart
Of the unfortunate young man, who fell with
out cry, as the exul'ing Portuguese burst
forth into dcmoniac laugh of triumph.
Unconscious Of the full extent Of her be-
reavement, the poor girl hung over him, and
4 as friend who rushed forward 10 support
him, drew the knife from his bosom, her
whole dress, which was white, was stained
with blood. With an effort, Charles turn
ed toward her, gave her one last look OF fer
vent affection, aud as The blade left the wound,
fell corpse into the arms uf him who held
him. 8 e =
BY this time the captain had come on deck.
He shed tears like child, for he loved poor
Charles as his own son. The exasperated
crew would instantly have fallen on the as
sassin, and taken summary vengeance--so
truly attached had they been to the chief
mate--and we're only kept in bounds by their
commanders presence. The cook who ap-
peared to glory in his deed, was instantly
seized and confined. The corpse was taken
below, while the wretched betrothed was car.
ried in a state Of insensbility to her cabin.
Eight bells had struck the following even
ing when received a summons to attend on
deck. l therefore instantly assembled, and
found the crew dressed in their Sunday
clothes, together with the officers Of the ship,
and the male passengers, assembled. The
men on duty were lining either side Of the
deck; the captain, surrounded by his officers,
was standing Immediately in front Of the
p68p; and the body Of The unfortunate vic.
fiu lay stretched on a grating, over which
The national flag Of Denmark had been thrown,
Immediately in the centre. In an instant ]
saw that had been summoned to be pres.
snt' 'arthe funeral Of the chief mate, and my
heart beat'high with grief as uncovered my
Mead, and s,eppedon the quarterback.
Ii was nearly calm: We had passed the
trades and were fast approaching the Line:
the sun had begun to decline, but still burnt
with fcryent heat, the sails hung listlessly
against the masls andthe mainsail was brazil
ed UP, in order 10 allow the breeze, should
any rise, to go forward. Thad observed all
the morning still more sure Indication Of
our approach to the torrid zone. Through
the clear blue water, ] had remarked Jascou-