Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-06-28

fas if in conformity with his wishes, the wind BEL
gan to haul southerly, and then westerly, and in
a few hours, to tho joy of all on board, our ship
was blowing the waves. before a strong west
wind. Every sail that would draw was set md
the captain paced the, quarter deck with rapid
strides, and he calculated if he took all the ad
vantage Of this fayoFingwind, the laboripg years
would be crowned with success, and he would
be rich man. Tho following morning we be-
held ives, ward of us, neatly in the tack we had
sailed, and apparently not far distant, small
bright light This grew larger and brighter, and
soon signal guns told US that twas burning
ship This struck us all with CONSERVATION, and
instinctiyely all eyes were turned towards the
captain. He had watched with great anxiety
the, light at first, but Immediately upon hearing
The first signal gun, he bad turned his eyes east
ward, and sedulously avoided the directiono Of the
burning vessel, The blaze burst up with fright
ful rapidly, and shot upon shot doomed in quick
succession, butthe captain paced the deck un
mindful After short pause, during which
murmurs were heard at his Indifference, the chief
mate steppodup to him and asked if we should
not steer for the burning vessel to yield assist.
ance? but the captain gloomily ordered him to
attend to his own business. | stood petrefed,
and at the request of some of the cIew went to
him and said that considered it duty to tell
him that the crew were unanimous in their wish
es to render assistance, and begged of him to
alter his course. He turned from ME and an
swered cvusivcly, that by so doing he should
lose his insurance, aud that after all, in his opin-
ion, the vessel was not to besaycd, and he should
lose his fair wind to no purpose; this said, he
went quickly back into the cabin and locked
himself in his state room. He had always ap.
pearcd very humane man. and doubtless on any
other occasion wduIl gladly have rendeled as
sistance totho needy; hut the probability of a
1 great gain, was too much for his virtues ayarice
qnellcd the better feelings, and turned his heart
to stone. Under this state Of things the crew
could do nothing but regret the captains cruel
ty, and submit to his viii. They gazed at the
burning mass, persuaded that the unhappy crew
we're perisbing in a miserable manner, when In
all probability they might have saved them,
The csPtain did not come on deck for several
hours. stood near by when he stepped out Of
the cabin, and to judge from his appearance, he
had undergone a severe struggle with his feel
ings. His face displayed an inward inquetnesi
--he wore the expression of man who wished
to be undaunted, but whose bosom was oppres.
Esed with fear He TUNED his back towards the
direction in which we had saen the flames, ant
4 addressed me some Indifferent question. Slow
xund urndnalIA ls arrizan5 anal
was not until he was persuaded that nothin.
could be seen OF the unfortunate vessel, that h
recovered his presence Of mind,
We soon arrived at or destination, where
found a vessel ready TO sail for Genoa, in whicl
took passage, leaving the captain disposing O
his cotton at the hi2hes, possible price. Abou
eight months after this, having totally forgo,tel
the melancholy event, was sitting in hotel il
LONDON, when a letter was brought me from
Capt. Hartley, in3rang me that he then reside
in London, and having learned Of my arrival b.
the press, he had an anyiaHs desire to see nc
without DELAY. When | vas ushered into tn
captains room, | staitad when perceived tn
change that had taken place in his appearance
He was haggard ana pale, and his eyes stare
cut wildly before hin Meanwhile, he showc
treat pleasure at the readiness with which ! ha
granted his request, and he begged Inc to b
seated, and listen to what he had to communi
cate.
81 have been anxious to see you" he com
mcnced, d" for YOU arc The only person in Lor
don whom can venture to address on this sub
iect. You will doubtless remember what too
place on our passage to Marsecs. | sc'd m
cargo at remarkable high prices and became
once rich man. Riches were to NE somethin
rev, and gave myself upto all the enjoyment
they could procure. went to Paris, and obaT
donel myself to the pleasures Of the capital t'
several weeks, until one day in a coffee house,
; newspaper came into my hands, in which | rea
with horror the dreadtul description Of the d
stuction Of an English man oi.war by fret
This account fell upon me with lightning's scat
inc power Ny heart bent, my limbs shiycre
and road every syllable Of this account as
each word had been deotAwarant. The We
sci we had met coming from Marseilles, al
= which furnished us with papers, had also o
served the light, and had Immediately alter
i he. course, and stcercl Tor the burning ship, b
d. being at great distance. was unable to reach
in time to offer any other assistance than to sa
two sailors. These two stated that another We
-, sci passed them scarce a half mile distant, u
needing their signals and clios and the capt'
=, of which must have the death of at least t.
hundred human beings upon his conscience.
The peace of my soul was gone forever
- ingenuity could invent no rooson-no excu
that would quiet my conscience. Whereve
turned, rcmorso with its serpent bites, follow
close upon my heels. threw myself on
couch to forget the torments of the day in sle
in But terrible dream presented again to my ey
r the horrd scene of that fire, My ears were
a, led with the dreadful cries OF distress. awe
l with terror and after short interval sought
n sleep anew, but was constantly awakened
nc the same fightful visions, Iresolyed by rou
IN of pleasures, and an indulgence in intoxcati
- drinks, to drown rcmorse ard harden conscion
IT. | succeeded toerably during the day-but
ne night but By night!
ID attributed the cause Of this uneasiness to
of lying POSTURE and threw myself into an a
, II. - .,.,,.,,. ;.t;,,,. A., ,,,, lido . Init coo p