Washington telegraph., 1851-09-10


NAviGATIoN-AsTRoNoMy.-Upon the
shores OF the Chesapeake. there once
lived man whose occupation was trad
ing along the coast. which he carried on
in schooner called the Nancy Ann, aud
his voyages usually extended as far as
Norfolk. himself and al old negro named
Sam. forming the crew.
One night, on return voyage from Nor.
folk, the Nancy Ann danced gaily over the
rlppled surface OF the bay. before a gen
tie breeze, our trader standing at the
helm, as was his oustoms--for though he
had occasionally trusted Sam with that
place in pleasant weather, during the
daytime We: he had not sufficeat conf
dence in Sans seamanship to allow him
the guidance of the vessel at uight.-
The weather, during the voyage down
aud returning, up To this time, had been
exceedingly rough. aud the trader was
quite exhausted for want of sleep, and
his incesSant labor at the helm.
The night was one of exceeding beau
ty-all the stars seemed to be on dress
parade, the planets playing generals, aud
the meteors as aide camps; not speck
zenith. aud borne before the breeze, the
Nancy Ann giided smoothly along on her
homeward course without requiring a
motion of the tiller. Everything seem.
ed SO silent aud tine. aud our trader, as
we have said, being much exhausted,
concluded that this was d good opportu-
nifty 10 obtain little repo>e. AND hat
for once he would give Sam the tlller-
So calling him a.t-for Sam, true to the
characteristics Of his race. delighted in
sleep. and was then enjoying a snooze
among the colls of rope forward--thu-
he spoke:
Sam, | am very sleepy and tired Il
taust have nap. The weather is SO fair
that IL give you The tller. But you
must follow my directions strictly. Do
you see that star up there?"
"Yes, lnassa." SAID Sam
"Weii. then. that is the North Star.
Now take the tiler, and keep her head
towards that star; don't et her fall Oft
you black rascal, or I'll whale yon.-
If anything happens rouse me imlnedi-
ately. Now, mud your eye"
AYE, aye, massa, said Sam.
Down went the trader, aud soon he
was wrapped in the arms of Murphy
as the Irl:h have it, While Sam kept the
Naucy's head to the star. Time wore
a pace aud the schooner skinned along
Aboard ship many things induce drowsi
ness-the lonlness of the situation, the
monotonous washing of the waves against
;he sides of the vessel, the rushing oi
the ripples asterE, and the mournful slug-
ing OF the breeze through the cordage-
all Of these had their influence upon
Sam; added TO which was the mesmeric
effect of gazing hxed'y at any particular
object, as Sam did at the North Star
Y,eldiug at last to the sonnorl6c infu-
euces which surrounded him, Sam closed
his eyes, aud commenced ba~o accom-
panlineut to the alto suore OF his master
While they slu,nbered, old E)luS, who
is always breeziny about, resolved to
play prank upon the careless seamen. SO
he lei loose a norwesier, which no soon-
er struck the Nancy. than she wor.
round. and started off before the wind
like wild horse. Meanwhile the sky
became oerca>t, the dress parade wa
over. tattoo beat, lights put out. and the
stars were snug III ihelr quarters
Away went the Nancy, as if frightened
al her <uoring crew. Presently the spray
washing over the side, gave Sam
drenchng, and awakened him to a SENSE
OF duty. Qute bewiIdered. he looked
about him-al was dark. Forward lar
board and starboald, he gazed in search
of his beacon light-not star TO be seen
Suddenly he turned too look astern, and
there, far away III the north, where the
clouds had left strip Of blue sky, he
saw Capricorn fllckerin9 just above the
horizon Pleased at this discovery, he
rushed below, seized the trader by the
shoulder. and shaking him violently.
cried out
"MasAa. massa! get up! get up. and
show me 'noder star, | am pas dat one!'
N. Y. SPIRIT of the Times.
The FIRE ANNIHILATok.-The PhiIa-