The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-10-09
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

| there once lived man whose occupation
was trading along the coast, which he
| carried Oh in the schooner called the
Nancy Ann, and his voyage usually ex-
tended as far as Norfolk. himself and an
old negro named Sam, forming the crew.
Ono night, on IA return voyage from
Norfolk. the Nancy Ann danced gaily
over the ripplsd surface Of the bay, be-
fore gentle breeze, our trader standing
at the helm. as was his custom--for
though he had occasionally trusted Sam
with that place in pleasant weather du-
ring the day time. yet he had no, suili-
cient confidence in Sans sramanship to
allow him the guidance Of the vessel n,
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 incessant labor at the helm. The
! nigh waA one Of exceeding beau,y--all
the stars seemed 10 be on dress parade,
the planets playing generals, and the
me.eors as aid-de-camps, not a speck OF
q cloud vas visible from horizon to ze-
NTH, and borne before the breeze, the
Nancy Ann gliied smoothly along on
he's homeward course, without requir
ing a motion OF the tiller. Everything
seemed 20 silent and fine, and our tra-
der, As We have said, being much ex.
haus,ed, concluded that this was q good
opportunity to obtain little rePose, and
,ha, for once he would give Sam the til.
Ter. So calling him aft--for Sam, true
70 the characteristics Of his race. delight.
cd in sleep, and was then enjoying u
snoo.s among the coils Of rope forward
no spoke
"Sam, am very sleepy and tired
! must have q nap. The weather is 80
fair that III give you the tiller. But
i you mus, follow my directions strictly.
do you SEQ that star up there 2"
"Ycs. nassa." said Sam.
"Well, then, that 10 the north star
Nov take the ,iller, and keep her head
towards that star; don't let her fall of.
you black rascal, or I'll whale you. II
anything happens rouse me immediate
ly.-Now mind your eye"
"Ayc, aye, nassa! said Sam
Down wen, the trader. and soon he
"Wrapped in the arms Of Murphy
A. tho Irish have it, while Sam KEEP, the
Nancys head to the star. Time wore
spsce, and the schooner skinned along
Aboard ships many things induce drow
siness--the loneliness Of the situation
the mono,oncus washing os the waves
against the sides Of the vessel. the rush
ing of the ripples astern. aud the mourn
fui singing Of the breeze through the
cordsae-aIl Of these lad their influence
upon Sam; added to which was thu
ruesmeric effect Of gazing 61edly at ANY
particular object, as Sam did OF th'
North star.
Yielding ., last to the Scmnoriiic IN
fusnccs which surrounded him, San
closed his eyes and commenced bas
% accompaniment TO the alto snore
his master. Whilst they slumbered
E.slu., who ia always breezing about
resolved TO play prank upon the care
les, seamen, so he let loose Norwess
Or. when no soohcI shucA '"e 80"
than she wore round, and started Oh be
fore tie wind like wild horse. Mean
while the sky became o'ercss', the dres
parade WAS over, tattoo beat, lights pu
out, and the starr snug in their quar-
ters.
Avay went the Nancy. ~ il frieh'
ened q, he, snoring crew. Present.!
the spr.y washing over the side, CAV
Sam . drsnching, and awakened him I
q sense Of duty. Quite bewiIdered, b
looked aleu-, him, oil was dark. Fo'
ward, hrboard and starboard. be gaze
in search Of his beacon lishi--no' Sta
VA 10 he seen. Suddenly he turned
look assern, and there far away in q
North, where the clouds had left .tr'
Of blue sky. he saw Capricorn hieke
ing ju.t above the horizon. Pleased
his discovery, he rushed below, seize
the trader by the shoulder, aud 'Aak'n
him violently, cried out
"Massa, massa! Git up CT W
and show me 'noder star. am pa
du ose ~-Hse York Spirit Of q