New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-31
NEW p OBLIGATIONS.

Mr.. Bard processes to be young Ne@-10rk
artist. with genius above portraits and soul
above patronage, who tired of the want Of sp-
probation in metropolitan circles, rushes to IA o
tropics in pursuit Of the picturesque 1t is
singular that we do not find his name on the cats-
logue of the National Academy, either among the
prosperous n. As, or the aspiring As; nor do
we recollect picture of his on exhibition, al
though he speaks Of "two compositions year
elm the Art Union, got on through Mr.. Sly the
"manager," and appsrently az intimate frlepd
of the author. But not 10 be too curious, va
will let that pass. Mr.. Bard knows how to
handle the pen, whstever his professions with
the pencil. He has a vein Of poetry in bis
nature, as we'll as the intimaton thereof IN hi'
name. Seldom has any traveller given more lux
uriant descriptions of the gorgeous scenery oil
the tropics, or adorned the narrative of facts
with more brilliant cOlors of the imagination.
Take Mr. Bard's picture Of an Indian lad, who
turns out to be Yucatsn prince in disguise,
whom be falls in with on the voyage from
Jamaica to Bluefelds:
But Antonio the Indian boy, who cooked and
pumped, and then pumped and cooked fear he
never slept for when there cot a sizzling in
the little BLACK caboose there sure 10 be screech
ing Of the rickety pump-Antcpo attracted my inter-
est from the first; and il increased when found
that be spoke little English, perfect IN Spanish,
and wiihal could read in both languages. There was
something mysterious in finding him among these
upcouth negroes with his relatively fa skin, ineli
gent eyes, aud long, well ordered black hair. He was
IKE a 1.-the panther among numbering bears; and he
did his work il way which accorded with his Indian
character without murnur, and with kind of silent
dogcedness that implied but little respect for his pres
ent masters. He seldom replied 70 their orders IN
words and then only in moGosylsblss asked Cap
tain PoDto about him, but he knew nothing except
that be was from Yucatan, and had presented himself
on board only the day previously aud offered to work
his passage to the main land and Captain POnto IN
distinctly iotimated that be had taken the boy solely
on my account, which Of course led to the inference
on my part that the captain ordinarily did his own
cooking. lie also yenturcd patronizng remark
about the Indians generally to the effect that sley
made very good servants if they were kept UNDER
which, coming from an ex-slaye, thought rather
good.
All this only served to interest me the more in An
tonic; and although succeeded in engaging him in
ordinary conversation yet utterly failed 10 drawing
him out the saying is in respect to his past history
or future purposes Whenever l approached these
subjects he became silent aud impossible and his eyes
assumed expression of cold inquiry not unmlnged
with latent suspicion, which half inclined me 10 be-
Heve that he fugitive from justice. Yet he did
not look like the feon knave; and when the per-
soDal inquiries dropped his face resumed its us 1a
pleasant although sad expression, and i became
ashamed that / had suspected him. There was GER
tanly something singular about Antonio; bat a.
could imagine very profound mystery attaching to
a cook on board OF the Prince Albert" after the
first day made attempts to penetrate his secrets,
but sought rather TO attach him to me as prospect
lively useful companion in the country to which was
bound. So ! relieved him occasionally at the pump,
although be protested against IT. and finally, to the
horror of Captain Ponto and the papable high dsdain
of the mate became intimate with him as 10 show
him my portfolio of drawings. His admiration, /
found TO my surprise always judic'Olsy be-
slowed and his appreciation OF outline and c0Onng
showed that he had the spirit of an artist. Several
times in gIanciDg the drawings, he stopped short
looked up, bis face full of intelligence as about to
speak, and paused to listen. Each tune, however,
the smile vanished, the flexible muscles ceased their
play and became rigid, and cold, flmy mis- settled
over the clear eyes which had looked into mme.
Whatever Antonios secret, great small, It was
evidently one that he half wished half feared 10 reveal
va, puzzled to think that there could exist any re-
laton between il and my paintings; but Antonio was
only cook, and so 1 dismissed all reflection ON the
subject.
Or his account Of the shipwreck, in which he
has narrow escape of his valuable life before
reaching the Mosquito shore.
On our third day out the weather, which up to that
time had been clear and beautiful, began TO change,
and night settled black and threatening around u.s.
The wind had increased but il was loaded with sury
yapors the hot breath of the storm which pressing
on our track. Captain POnto was not scientific
sailor, and kept other thsn what is callet dead
reckoning" He had made the voyage very of en-,
and was confident of his course. Upon that point
therefore, / gave myself uncasness, not so much
from faith in Captain Ponto, because there
nothing in the world 10 be done except 20 follow his
opinion. Nevertheless the Captain serious, aud
consulted anieduvisn chart which he kept iu his
cabin. II Rembrantish picture, that negro trac
ing his forefnger slowly the chart by the light of
candle, which only half revealed the little cabin,
while brought out his grizzly head and anxious face
IN strong relief against the darkness. What Captain
PoIto learned from all this study is more than
tell but when he came deck he ordered reef 10 be
made in the sails and variation of several points in
our course for the wind only freshened but veered
to the northeast The hot blasts jutfs of air became
moro and more frequent, and occasional sheets of
H. htening CLEANED along the horizon. The sea- too,
full Of phosphoreecen light fiery monsters seemed
TO leap around and wreah and Irvine their vii vol.
umes in wake 1 could hear the hiss of their
foked tongues where the waters closed under stern.
1 stood leaning the buwarks gazing tho losun
ing waves and thinking of home-tor the voyager on
the great deep always thinks OF home when darkness
enveogs him and the storm threatens-when Antonio
sileutly approached 80 silently that did not hear hin
and took his place at my side. | was some what
startled therefore, when, changing my position little
saw by the dim, reflected light Of the sea- his eyes
Exed earnt silly on mne An, Antonio y s8id . is
that you T. and | placed my hand famllarly on his
shoulder. He shrank beneath il If il had been
Ere. Whats the matter = l exclaimed, reproacA-
fully; have hurt you =
Pardon me :" he calculated rather than spoke in
a voice deep and iremuous &" | know now that Il is
not YOU who will die tonight
What do You mean You are not afraid, Antonio
Who thinks ofdyng p replied in light tone.
Ono il is not myself | was afraid it might be
you, for, Sir, and be laid hand cold and clammy
that of corpse on NINE for, Sir, there is death
board this vessel 90
This said in a voice so awed and earnest that
yves impressed deeply in spite of myself and for some
NONE nts made reply. y GU talk wildly Antonio ="
finally said; "we are going ON bravey and shall all
be in Bluetelds together in a day or two
Of M 10 l.,