Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-13
Revel in the Malestroom.

Come, dance around, my jolly boys =
said the Captain. And away went the mer.
ry tars in continued circle around the
deck; shouting till their lungs were spent.
1t was drunken frolic.
Captain, said the pioiot, who alone re-
fused to join in the jollifcation, we must
drop anchor at once. The wind has died
away, and the ship has performed quarter
circle within the last watch,
Ha ha ha! shouted the Captain.
Fill your glasses. my lads. Dance around,
around, say the good old ship is keeping
company Q
The pilot rushed back, with pale and
concerned look, TO note the indications Of
the tale telling compass. Presently be re-
turned with face iivid from fear.
Captain, he cried, for the love of heaven
drop anchor at once till the wind springs up
for we have entered the malestroon. See
with the glass. Yonder ship, has cast an
chor, and is making signals to U.S.
Away thou white livered fool, scream.
ed the captain. My lads, I'll; give you a
song He began:
Away away! with the brow of care.
The devil isblithesome and merry
Odds boots 1t where if there's pleasure thore.
win plenty OF champagne and sherry
The pilot was frantic No one voIun-
teered to aid him in dropping the anchor
1t was afeat impossible for one to perform
Now single shot boomed from. tis -osl.or
shlp.- A boat put forth with line secur-
ing it to the vessel. The pilot ran to the
heavy line boat but could not move it. Tn
vain he called fer aid.
Still the dance and shout, the song of
reVelry went on. Once again be flew to
the helm, for no wind filled the sails and
still the ship moved on the mysterious cir
Gle. For the last time he comes to give the
solemn warning to the now reeling Captain
and crew. He begged and prayed them to
heed their dangers; but danger seemed to
have fascinating sound, and was answered
with laugh. AS they laughed, he wept,
cautioned them with tears, and threw himself
over into the sea. With strong frame he
swan through the fatal current towards the
boat put forth to rescue, and reached it in
safety. AS long as line could be had in the
anchored vessel, the boat continued its way
towards the ship with the druken crew
They came within hail and called on the
crew to save themselves One or two So
beTed BY the senses of danger, threw them
selves into the sea, and succeeded in reach
ing the boat but the others became stupid.
lhe line was atlength exhausted The ship
could now be seen slowly moving in the
narrow circle yet those on board put forth
no effort for their own preservation. 1t was
fearful sight. From the other vessel everv
eye was strained with anintense gaze. Rap
I'd, hurried action was there. Still the line
was extended with every species of material
that could be found for the purpose. Ne
cesslty became the inventor of ropes never
heard of in an ordinary emergency.
1t avalled not to reach the druken crew
Without power to aid, those in the boat be-
held them Fastening on to terrible grave
with the agony and excitement each moment
increasing. Night was coming on. Faster
grew the motion of the doomed ship. AT
last the approaching shadows warned them
to return. Darkness soon settled upon and
Velled the scene, and when the morning
again dawned, the ship with the drunken
crew had vanished forever from the sight.
How fearful is the warning convened by
such an incident. Yet the dread circle Of
malestroom, is scarcely more certain in de-
struction than the giddy circle of Intem.
Perancc.-Neao York Organ.