Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-02-05

iniSh pe, ne was thorough seaman, that his
crew-about dozen of as fine fellows as have
ever seen-were under the most perfect disci-
pline and command. The service of the vessel
was carried on as noiselessly and regularly as
on board ship of war; and a sense of conf
dence, that shonld a tempest or other sea-peril
overtake us, every reliance might be placed in
the professional skill of Capt Starkey, was soon
openly or tacitly acknowledged by all on board.
lhe weather throughout happily continued fine,
out the wind was light and variable, so that for
several days after we had sighted the blue
mountains of Jamaica, we scarcely appeared TO
diminish the distance between them and us. =
AT last the breeze again blew steadily from the
northwest, and we gradually neared Point Mo-
rant We passed it and opened up the bay at
two o'clock in the morning, when the voyage
might be said 10 be over. This was great
relief to the cabin.passengers- far beyond
the ordinary pleasure to landfoIk of escaping
from the tedium OF confinement on shipboard.
There was constraint in the behavior of ev.
erybody that was exceedingly unpleasant
The captain presided at the table with lreez,
ing civility; the conversation, if such it could
he called, was usually restricted 10 monosyl-
lables; and we were all very heartily glad
that Ne had eaten our last dinner on board
of the Neptune. When we doubled Point
Moran, all the passengers, except myself,
were in bed. and quarter Of an hour after.
wards Captain S,arkey went below, and was
soon busy, l understood, with papers in his
cabin.
For my part, was too excited to sleep,
and | continued to pace the deck fore and aft
with Hawkins, the first mare, whose watch
it was, eagerly observant of the lights on the
well-known shore, that had left SO many
months before with but faint hopes of ever
seeing it again. As thus gazed landward
bright CLEAN, as of crimson moonlight, shot
across the dark sea, and turning quickly
round, | saw that it was caused by tall jet
of flame shooting up from The main hatch
way, which two seamen, for some purpose or
or other, had at the moment partially opened
In my still weak state, the terror Of the sight
for the recollection of the barrels of pow
der on board flashed Instantly across my
mind - for several moments completely
stunned ms; and but that caught instinc-
lively at tie ratings, | should have fallen
PROSTATE OH the deck. A wild ontcry of
Fire! re!-the most fearful cry that can
be heard at sea--mingled with and height
ened The dizzy ringing IN my brain, and !
was barely sufficiently conscious to discern,
amidst the runnings to and iro, and the inco-
herent exclnmations of the crew, The sinewy
athletic figure OF the captain leap up, ns it
were, from the companionladder TO the deck,
and with his trumpet-voice command imme-
diate silence, instantly followed by the order
again 20 batten down The blazing ha,chway.
This, with his own assistance, was promptly
effected, and then he disappeared down the
forecasle.
The two or three minutes he was gone
it could scarcely have been more than that
seemed interminuble; and SO completely did
it appear 10 be recognized that our fate must
depend upon his judgment and vigor, iha,
not word was spoken, nor finger, think
moved, ill he re-appeareJ, already scorched
and blackened with the fire, and dragging up
what seemed, dead body in his arms. He
threw his burden on the deck, and passing
swiftly to where Hawkins stood, said in a
low, hurried whisper, but audible 10 me, run
down and rouse the passengers, and bring my
pistols from the cabin locker. Quick eter.
nifty hangs on the loss of moment Then
turning to the startled but attentive seamen
lie said in rapid but finn voice, You well
know, men, that would not on anyuccasion
or for any motive, deceive you. Listen then
attenlively. Yon drunken bruie-he is Lieut.
Arguellas servant-has fired with his candle
the spirits he was stealing, and The hold is a
complete mass of fire which il is useless to
waste one precious momenl in attempting lo
extinguish.
A cry of rage and terror burst from the
crew, and they .sprang impulsivey towards
the boats, but the captains authoritative
voice at once arrested their steps. Hear me
oui; Twill you? Hurry and confusion will de.
stroy us all, but with courage and steadiness
every soul on board may be saved before the
flames can reach the powder. And remem-
ber, he added, as he took The pistols from
Hawkins and cooked one of them, 8 that
will send bullet after any man who dis
obeys me, and very seldom miss my aim.
Now then. 10 your work steadily, and with
a will =
1t was marvellous 10 observe the influence
his bold, confident, and commanding bearing
and words had upon the men. The panic
terror that had seized them gave place 10
energetic resolution, and in an incredibly
short space of time the boats were into the
water. 'Wel done, my fine fellows !
There is plenty of time, again repeat
Four of you'-snd he named them re-
main with me. Three others jump into each
Of the large boais, two into The small one,
and bring them round 10 the andward side
of The ship. A rush would swamp The boats
and we shall be able to keep only one gang
way clear
The passengers were by this time rushing
upon deck half clad, and in state Of the
widest terror, for they all knew there was a
large quantity of gunpowder on board
The instant the boats touched the ,tarboard
side Of the bark, the men, white as we'll as