Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-18

The voice approached nearer and nearer it
was sweet and melodious, but mournfu, and
uttered with agonizing emphasis, the terrible
words of that melancholy psalm. He listened
with fearful attention. In few moments, a
phantom-like woman entered the cabin. She
was pale, dressed in faded white, her long hair
streaming over her shoulders There was
something in her look that Mortified Riberia.-
This strange appariton did not seem to notice
that he was present; she seated herself upon
one of the lockers, passed her hands over her
forehead, for moment ceased her melancholy
chant, and then family murmured in Portu-
guese:
The nights are long, the days are endless.
She then began to weep, and sang
DE profundis elamvia ad te.'
Captain Riberia approached her, and ad-
dressing her in the language she had used,
said: what fatal misfortune has left YOU
alone on board this vessel1'
Hush hush!' she said, the dead do not
speak-they are all silent The sea alone
may mingle its voice with the chant of De
Profundis Death! death he is dead-,hey
are all dead death death!'
Shall | not lead you from this dreadful
scene, and take you back to Europe1'
Dies ira, Dies illa,' she exclaimed
Hush hush. they sleep! they sleep!'
1t was too evident that the reason of the
unfortunate woman had given way under the
infiction of the horrible scenes to which she
had been witness. Riberia made a sign for
her to follow him-she shook her head He
endeavored to take her hand-she pushed him
away. AT length he caught her in his arms,
and carried her on TO the deck When the
sailors first saw her, they were SO alarmed
that they ran in terror TO the boat, her appear
ance was so unearthly.
He gave the poor maniac in charge to mid
shipman who had accompanied him, and then
went down again 10 the cabin He then took
a casket full of gold, and several important pa
pers and returned with them to the deck. The
poor woman resisted his attempts to remove
her from the ship, but Riberia ordered two of
the sailors to take her into the -boat, and they
showed off for the corvette.
Immediately on their getting on board, the
crew crowded round them, curious to loarn the
particulars of their expedition, and to inquire
the history of the mad woman they had
brought with them. Riberia had conducted
her into his private cabin, and had given or
ders that it should be arranged for her sole use
he returned on deck and found the sailors talk
ing over these strange occurrences. They
were arguing upon the causes which could
have occasjoned the destruction of the entire
crew of the vessel they had seen. Some said
II must be from naval combat, but there were
no traces about the ship which could lead to
sncll conclusion there were no shot holes,
no rigging cut away. Others argued that
there must be something supernatural in it.
At last one of the sailors uttered the words
the plague !! and they all instantly adopted the
suggestion, there was no further difference of
opinion.
And the woman whom the Captain has
brought on board cried several voices, 'that
woman has brought the plague on board our
ship. We must instantly get rid of her; we
must throw her into the sea-
Throw her overheard! throw her over
board! howled the whole ships company, run
ming towards the cabin door before Riberia had
time TO prevent them. He rushed to the pow
der magazine and cooked one of his pistols.
Stay, We inhuman monsters, stayr he ex-
claimed 4 swear BY our Holy Creator, that
if you commit so cowardly crime-if you at
tempt the life of that woman-I will fire into
the magazine and blow up the ship which you
will have dishonored by your cruelty
The sailors had caught hold of her with
grappling-irons, for they did not dare TO touch
her with their hands. They knew the captain
too well to think that he would not execute his
threat they released their prey. He called
to one of the officers, and ordered him to take
his post, pistol in hand, by the powder room,
and then fastened to assist the unfortunate wo-
man who had tainted. He carried her into his
cabin, and there, with the aid of the ships sur
geon, he succeeded, with much difficulty, in
restoring animation. To his great surprise
and joy, when she had recovered from hel
fainting fit her reason had returned.
Where am |! = inquired she, looking round
with astonishment. oh, what fearful dream
have had Il Oh, my God hast thou at last
taken pity on me!'
All your misfortunes are now ended, mad.
am, said Ribera. God in His great mercy
has deigned TO put term to the cruel trials tc
which you have been exposed
Then it is true,' she replied, weeping bit
terlyi mo, it has been dream; Alonzo! my
mother my child they are all dead Oh
that it had pleased God to take me to himself
with them =
Ribeira for some moments feared that her
reason was again about to leave her; but the
violent shock which terror had occasioned
from the threats and brutal violence of the
sailors, had produced a salutary revolution in
her mind. All that was requisite to complete
her cure was care and tranquility.
The ship had a successful voyage. Upon
her arrival at the Brazils, Donna Margarita,
(for our readers will already have surmised
that it was she whom Ribeira found on board
the fated vessel,) determined upon returning to
Europe with him. The sailors who would SC