The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-08-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
Jacobs Scenes i.l the Pacific
Ocean.

We caught a distant glimpse of
Moa. At eight P. NJ. the sky cloud
ed over, and became as black as the
cooks funnel. We furlcd the light
sails, close rccfcd the topsails. and
made all snug. 1t was a dismal
night; the thunder roarcd and
crashed around us as if tho heavens
had been rent asunacr f; the chain,
lighting circlcd around, and seeming.
ly played over our spars and Rigging.
We stopped the chain-holes with can
vass, to prevent the electric fluid
from entering our magazine. The
rain poured down in torrents. and
filled tho stcrn.boat as.fast rs one
could bail it out. By tic glare Of
the lightning our crew could be seen
standing in line upon deck, ASSN.
buckets of rain.watcr from the trun,>
tofli up the water, casks.
The second day after this, in The
afternoon, We were sailing to the
eastward, close along the coast Of
Papau, which is here formed Of
beautiful elevated lands, covered with
,he ycrdurc Of perpetual summer,
ana altered BY pur!ins streams CT
clear, cold water.
n great many came OF in hand
somc canoes, with one ou,riggcr, for
the purpose Of traiiicking with Us.
They were naked, with the exception
of ornaments hung about their per.
sons, and wcrc stout, savage looking
men, Of dark copper color, with
hair somewhat longer and straightcr
than the wool Of the negro.
Each canoe contained 4 goo1ly
supply Of powerful bows, arrows,
spears and war-clubs, all Of which,
combined with the physical appear
ancc Of these natives, designated
them as race OF fearless warriors.
They seemed friendly, aud we threw
them two lines over the stern, and
entered into trade for cocoauuts ana
Jasper stone adzes. They invited US
po!itcl y to come on shore, and said
that, IN one moon they would bring
us plenty Of tortoise shell, pearl shell.
ostrich plumcs, ivory, camphor, nut.
mcgs, edible birds nests, palm oil,
diamond, etc.
The wind now frcshcncd up and
our hcadway increased, SO that the
canoes shccrcd about, cndongc ing
their outriggcrs, and we're obliged to
let 50 the tow.lincs and drop astcrn.
We now arrived at the mouth of
noble bay; it was "ncw discovcry!n
Tho land was elevated, picturesque,
and ycrdant. The cast point Of the
bay was dcnudcd red clay and rocky
bluff, from which put off shoal.
With the usual daring Of our captain,
we boldly entered the bay, and steer
cd for its foot with all sails set. We
now sighted beautiful small bay, or
mouth of a river, that extended to
the eastward from the foot Of gulf.
On the beach We spicd a great mul-
titudo of warriors, hurrying along
with bundles OF war implements, and
dcposting them in canoes, which
they launched into the water, and
put off for the vessel from various
covcs and lnlcts. One war canoe,
commanded by a celebrated brave,
was towcd, by one Of our lines, near
tho stern.
Our captain stood upon the traffrail,
cycling the accommodating dangers;
and thinking that, when we anchored,
and the crew we're alolt turlinS sails,
the host Of the savagcs might be
tempted to pick the sailors OF the
yards ike 80 many black birds, he
Determined to have clear course
yale coming to, and 50, to friohtsn