The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-12-19

The ReveI in the MaeIstrom.

Come dance around, my jolly boys.'
said the captain. And away went the
merry tars in a continued circle aroun,
the deck, shouting till their lungs were
spent twas drunken revel.
Captain" said the sober pilot, who
alone refused to join the jollifcation
1--WE must drop anchor at once. The
wind has died away, and the ship has
performed quarter circle within the
last half hour"
''Ha! ha! hal shouted the captain,
"FIll your glasses, my merry lads
Dance around, say; the good old ship
is keeping US company
The pilot rushed back with pale and
concerned look, to note indications OF
the tale-telIing compass. Presently he
returned with face livid from fear.
1Captain, ne cried, ''for the love of
Heaven drop anchor at once till the wind
springs up, for we have entered the
maelstrom. See with the glass. Yon-
der ship has cast anchor, and she is now
making signals to u.s.
Away, thou white-lvered fool"
screamed the captain. ''My lads, Ill
give you song He began
"Away away! with the brow of care.
The devil is bIithesome and merry
Odd boots it where, if there's pleasure there
With plenty of champagne and sherry"
The pilot became frantic. No one
volunteered to aid him in dropping an
Choir; it was feat impossible for one to
perform. Now signal shot doomed
from the other ship. a boat put forth
with Il line securing it to the vessel. The
pilot ran to the heavy lile-boat, but
could not move it. In vain he called for
aid. Still the dance, and shout, and
song of reyelry went on. Once again he
ifew to the compass, and in despair se;z-
ed the useless helm, forno wind filed the
sails. and still the ship moved on the mys-
ferrous circle. For the last time he
came to give the solemn warning to the
now reclining captain and crew. He
begged and prayed to them to heed their
danger; danger secmcdtO have fascin-
ating sound, and he was answered with
a laugh. As they laughed, he wept,
cautioned them with fears, and threw
himself into the sea. With strong frame
he swan through the fatal current to-
wards the boat put forth to rescue, and
reached it in safety. AS long as line
could be found in the anchored vessel.
the boat continued its way towards the
ship with the drunken crew. They
came within hail and called on them to
save themselves. One or two, sobcred
by the sense of danger, threw them
selves into the sea, and succeeded in
reaching the boat; but the others had
become stupid. The line at length ex-
hausted. The ship could now be seen
slowly moving on its narrow circle, yet
those on board put forth no effort to
their own preservation 1t was a fear
full sight From the other vessel every
eye was strained with an intense gaze.
Rapid, hurried action was there. Still
the line was extended with everv spe-
cies of material that could be found for
the purpose. Necessity became the in
yentor of hopes never heard of in ordi-
nary emergency. 1t awaited not to
reach the vessel of the drunken crew
Without power to aid, those in the boat
behold them Fastening on into a terrible
grave, with the agony and excitement
each moment increasing. Still they
waited. Night was coming on Fast
err grew the motion of the ship. At last
the approaching shadows warned them
to return. Darkness soon settled upon
and yelled the scene, and when the
morning again dawned the ship with the
drunken crew had vanished forever from
the sight.
Hoy fearful is the warning conveyed
by such an incident. Yet the dread
circle Of the fearful maelstrom is scarce
ly more certain in destruction, than the
giddy whirl of intcmperance.