Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-10
gelette6 Gale.
THE GOAAlSlIOll~
BY WILLIAM LEGGETT.

The Active sloop-of-war had been laying all
bccalmed in mid ocean and was rolling and
ptcbinp about in a heavy ground swell, which
was the only trace of the gale she had lately
encountered The sky was of as tender and
serene a blue as if it had never been deformed
with clouds; and the atmosphere was bland and
pleasant, although the latitude and the season
might both have led one to expect different
weather Since the morning watch, when the
wind, after blowing straight on end for several
davs together. had died suddenly away there
had not been air enough stirring to lift the
do~vane from its staff down which it hung in
motionlesS reposc except when raised by the
hcave and roll of the vessel as she labOred in
the troueh of the sea Her courses had been
hauled up, and she lay under her three topsails
braced on the opposite tackS, ready to take adj
vantage of the first breath of wind, from what
ever quarter it might come.
The crew were disposed in various groups
about the deck, some idling away in llStleSS ease
the interval of calm; some with their clothes
bags beside them, turning it to account in over
hauling their dunnage; while others moved fid-
getty about, on the forecastle and i'll the waist,
eyeing, ever and anon, the horizon round, as If
already weary Of their short holiday on the
ocean, and impatiently watching for some sign
Of breeze
TO true sailor there are few circumstances
more annoying than perfect calm. The same
principle of our nature which makes the travel
cr on land, though journeying without any de-
finite object desire the postilliOn to whip up
his horses and hasten to the end of his stage, is
manifested in a striking degree among seamen,
The end of one voyage is but the beginning Of
another, and their lives are a constant success
ion of hardShipS and pcrilS; yet they cannot
abide that the elements should grant them
moments respite As the wind dies away their
spirits flag; they move heavily and sluggishly
about while the calm continues; but rouse at
the first whisper of the breeze, and never gay
cr or more animated than when their canvas
>wellS out to its utmost tension i'll the gale.
On the afternoon in question, this feeling OF
reStleSSncsS at the continuation of the calm was
not confined to the crew Of the Active. Her
commander had been nearly all day on deck,
Walking to and fro on the Starb0ard side, with
quick impatient strides or now stepping into
one gangwav and now into the other, and
casting anxious and searching looks into all
quarters Of the heavens, as if it were Of the ut
most consequence that breeze should spring
up and enable him to pursue his way. Indeed
was whispered among the officers that there
were reasons of state which made it important
'ley should reach their point Of destination as
speedily as possible; though where that point
was, or what those reasons were, not a soul on
ooard knew, except the captain--and he was
Aot man likely to enlighten their ignorance
On the subject Few words, indeed, did any
oae ever hear from Black Jack, as the REFERS
!gAnamed him him; and when he did speak,
SAst he said was not generally of a kind to
make them desire he should often break his ia
clturnity.
he was straight, tall, stern-looking man,
!uS' passed the prime of life as might be infer
vi rom the wrinkles On his thoughtful brow,