Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-08-13
A DARkEY NAVIGATOR.


A DARkEY NAVIGATOR
Upon the shores Of the Chesapeake there
once lived man whose occupation was
trading along the coast, which he carried
on in schooner called The Nancy Ann, and
his voyages usually extended as far as Nor
folk, himself and an old negro, named Sam,
forming the crew.
One night, On a return voyage from Nor
folk, the Nancy Ann danced galy over the
rippled surface of the bay, before gentle
breeze, our trader standing at the helm, as
was his cus.om-for though he occasional
ly trusted Sam with that post in pleasant
weather during the day time, yet he had not
sufficient confidence in Sam's seamanship
to allow him the guidance Of the vessel a.
night. The weather during the voyage
down and returning, up TO this time, had
been exceedingly rough, and the trader was
quite exhausted for want Of sleep, and his
incessan, labor at the helm. The light was
one of exceeding beausy-all the stars SEEM
ed 10 be on dress parade, the planets play
ing generals, and the me,eors acting as aid
de-camps: not speck OF cloud was visi-
bic from horizon to Zenith and borne before
the breeze, the Nancy Ann glided smoo,ly
along on her homeward course, without re-
quiring a motion Of the tiller. Everything
seemed so silent and fine, and our trader, as
we have said, being much exhausted, con-
cluded that this was good opportunity to
obtain little repose, and that for once he
would give Sam the liller.
So calling him aft-for Sam, true to the
characteristics of his race, delighted in sleep,
and was then enjoying a snooze among the
coils Of rope fosward-thus he spoke
''Sam, am very sleepy and tired must
have nap The weather is SO fair that
will give you the uller. Bu, you mus. fol-
low my directions strictly. Do you see
tha, star up there :"
eyes Massa," said Sam.
"Well, then, that is the North star. Now
take the ,iler, and keep her head towards
that star don't let her fall of, you black
rascal, or pll whale you. If anything hap
pens rouse me Immediately. Now mind
your eye"
"Ayc, aye, NIassa said Sam.
Down went the trader, and soon he was
wrapped IN the arms of Murphy, as the Irish
have it, while Sam kept the Nancy's head to
the star. Time wore away, and The schooner
skinned along. Aboard ship many things
induce drowsiness-lh loneliness of the ST.
tuation, the mono,onous washing Of the
water against the sides of the vessel, the
rushing of the rippes astern, and the morn
ful singing Of the breeze through The cord
age--aII OF these had their effect upon Sam,
added to which was the mesmeric effect of
gazing iixedly at any particular object, as
Sam did al the N or,h star.
Yielding at last to the somnorfic in
huences which surrounded him, Sam closed
his eyes, and commenced basso accom-
panimenl to the altosnore of his MASTER
Whilst they slumbered, old Eolus, who is
always breezing about resolved to play
prank upon the carelessness of the seamen,
SO he let loose a Nor'-wester, which 10
sooner struck the Nancy, than she wore
round, and started off before the wind like
a wild horse. Meanwhile the sky became
o'ercast, the dress parade was over, tattoo
beat, lights put out, and the stars snug in
their quarters.
Away wen, the Nancy, as if frightened
a, her snoring crew. Presently, the spray
washing over the side, gave Sam drench-
ing, and awakened him to a sense Of duty.
Quite bewildered, he looked about him all
was dark.
Forward, larboard, starboard, he gazed in
search of his beacon light-not star was
TO be SEEN Suddenly he looked astern, and
there far away in the North, where the
clouds had left strip Of blue sky, he saw
Capricorn nickering jus! above the horizon.
Pleased a, his discovery, he rushed below,
seized The trader by the shoulder, and shak-
ing him violently, cried out
"Massa Massa! Git up! git up show
me 'noder star 1 gone clean past dot 'un"
": Y Spirit Of the Times.
When ]. Adams was young man, he
was invited to dine with the court and bar
at the house of Judge Paine, all eminent
loyalist, at Worcester. When the wine was
circulated round the table, Judge Pane gave
as .oas. "tAe King" Some of the Wings
were about to refuse to drink it. But Mr..
Adams whispered to them to comply, say
ing, I'VE shall have an opportunity 10 re-
turn the compliment. AT length, when John
Adams was desired TO give toast, he gave
ttL, T1o,;J,, A. the bost ,ya G shouf IN re-.