The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-08-12
!. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

: PATTON was trading along tllo coast,
which he carried on in q schooner
called the Nancy Ann, aud his voy.
ages usually extended as far MS Nor
!, folk himself and an old negro named
Sam, Forming tho crew. On re-
turn voyage from Norfolk one night,
the Nancy Ann danced gaily over
the ripp|ed surface Of the bay, before
a gentle breeze, our trader standing
at the helm, as was his cnsto,n-fo:
though he had occasionally trusted
I Sam with that place in pleasant
.sssgeather, during the daytime, yet he
8lialsnot sufficient confidence in Sam's 3
seamanship to allow him the guidance
oethc vessel at night. The weather
during the voyage down and return.
! ing up, to this time had been exceed
ssingly rough, and the trader was quite
exhausted Tor want of sleep, and his
incessant labor at the helm. The
night was one Of exceeding beauty
all the stars seemed to be or dress
! parhde, the planets playing generals,
and the metcors rs aid-dc.camps; not
4 spcck Of cloud was visible from
horizon to zenith, and borne before
the breeze, the Nancy Ann glidcd
smoothly along on her homcward
course, without requiring a motion of
the til!cr.- Everything seemed SO 81
lent and fine, and our trader, as VIC
have said, being much exhausted,
concluded that this was a good op-
portunity TO obtain little reposc:
and that for oncc he would give Sam
the tiller. So calling him aft for
Sam, true to the characteristics Of his
race, delighted in sleep, and was
then enjoying q snoczc among the
coils of rope forward-thus he spoke
- Sam, 1 am very sleepy and tired
II must have a nap. The weather
is SO fair that I'll give you the tilcr.
But you must follow my directions
strictly. DO you sec that star up
thcre?' 'Yes, massa,' said Sam,
swell, then, that is the north STAR
Nov take the tillcr, and keep her
head towards that star; don't let her
fall off, you black rascal, or III
whale you. If anything happens,
rouse me Immediately. Now mind
your eye. AYE, aye, massan said
Sam.
Down went the trader, and soon
he was wrapped in the arms Of Muir
ply as the irish have it, while Sam
kept the Nancy's head to the star.
Time wore apace, and Tie schooner
Skinned along. Aboard ship many
things induce drowsiness the loncli-
ness Of the situation, the monotonous
washing of the waves against the
sidesof the vessel, the rushing Of the
lipples astern, and the mourntul sing
ing of the breeze through the cord.
agc-all of these had their influence
upon Sam; added to which was the
mcsmcric effect Of gazing fixcdly at
any particular object, as Sam did at
the north star. Yielding at last to
the somnolitic influences which sur
rounded him, Sam closed his eyes,
and commenced a basso accompam-
ment to the alto snorc OF his master.
Whilst they slumbcrcd, old A;olus.
who is always brccz;ng about, rcsolv-
cdsto play a prank upon the careless
seaman, SO nc let loose Norwcster,
which no sooner struck the Nancy.
.han she wore ronnn, ami started oil
before the wlnd !'kc wild horse
NGanWhllC the SKY became U'CrcaSt
the dress parade was over, tattoo
beat, lights put out, and the stars
snug in their quarters. Away went
the Nancy, as if frightened at her
snoring crew. Presently, the spray
washing over the side, gave Sam
sdrcnching, and awakened him to a
sense Of duty. Quite bcwillcrcd, he
u l.