The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-01-17
THE REvEL m THE MAELsTOM

"Come dance around, my jolly boys" said the
captain. And away went the merry tars IN a
continued circle around the deck, shouting till
their lungs were spent II was a drunken re-.
vel
Captain" said the sober pilot, who alone re-
fused to join the jolifcation, 1--WE must drop an;
chor at once. The wind has died away. and
the ship has performed quarter circle w1hn
the last half hour
"Ha ha ha % shouted the captain, "Fill
your glasses, my merry lads. Dance around
say, the good old ship is keeping US company" i,
The pilot rushed with pale and concerned
look to note indications of the tale telling com.
pass Presently he returnedwith face hvid
from fear.
Captain" he cried. afor the love Of Heaven
drop anchor at once till the wind springs up for
we have entered the maelstom. See with the
glass Yonder ship has cast anchor, and she IS
now making signals to u.s."
i "Away thou white livered fool " screamed
the captain. "My lads, pll give you song
aAway, away, with the brow Of care,
j The devel is blithesome and merry
Odd boots it where, if there's pleasure there,
u With plenty of champagne and sherry"
The pilot became frantic. No one volunteer
!, ed to aid him in dropping anchor-it was lea
impossible for one to perform. Now single
shot doomed from the other ship. boat pu
forth with line securing it to the vessel. Ths
i pilot ran to the heavy hfe-boat but could no
move it. In vain he called for aid. Still tn
I dance and shout and song of revelry went on
+ Once again he few to the compass and IN dispai
i seized the useless helm, for no wind filled tn
+ sails and still the ship moved on the mysteriou
l. circle For the last time he came to give tn
1 solemn warning to the now reclining caPtal
Z. and crew. He begged and prayed to them
heed their danger; danger seemed to have ias
cinated them, and he was answered with
a laugh. As they laughed, he wePt ca9tlone
e them with fears. and threw himself into the Sc;
: With strong frame he swan through the fata
current towards the boat put forth to rescue, an
Q reached it in safety. As long as line could
: found in the anchored vessel, the boat continue
its way towards the ship with the drunken crew
n They came within hail, and called on them
save themselves, One or two sobered by tn
Il sense of danger, threw themselves into the SCI
n and succeeded in reaching the boat but IN
q others had became stupid. The line was
y length exhausted. The ship could now be see
!. slowly moving on its narrow circle, yet those
!. board put forth no effort to their own Preserv'
!, ton. It was fearful sight From the othe
= ship every eye was strained with an intens
:. gaze Rapid, hurried action was there. Still Il
: line was extended with every species OF mat
- rial that could be found for the purpose Ne
:. essity became the inventor Of hopes never heal
y Of in ordinary emergency. 1t availed not
q reach the vessel of the drunken crew. Witno
= power to aid those in the boat beheld them ha
Il tening on into terrible grave, with the agoI
Il and excitement each moment increasing So
:" -" they waited. Night was coming on. Fast
and faster grew the motion Of the ship. AT z
the opprusching shadows warned them to retur
IN Darkness soon settled upon and veiled the scel
n. and when the morning again dawned the sh
with the drunken crew had vanished 5orey
y from the sight.
IS How fearful is the warning conveyed by s,l
Or an accident! Yet the dread circle Of the fea
,e full maelstrom, is scarcely more certain in de
IT. truction than the giddy whirl Of intemperane