The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-09-15
No. 40


The south Sea Loves u Lieut.. Mnury
The following bit Of romance in tie life OF
Lieut. Msury is related BY Mr.. Willis in this
weeks Home Journal.
In the earlier DAYS Of his professional career,
the present Commander was Q midshipmaa on
board OF one OF the sloops Of war sent 10 cra
IN the Pacific. The duty being merely TO give
anthos'tative countenance to the merch ant ves-
seis IN those seas much Of their time Of course
was passed in the anchorage OF the d asrent Is
lands; and Naury having always . taste for Ian
guage. had employed his m any idle hour ~ cev--
swain OF go ashore boat in mastering the dialects
OF The natives So successful had no beea in
this volunteer study that he became at las, the
regular interpreter. and was the main channel of
communication between the Commodore and The
petty sovereigus of the Islands
The thing he most struggled with in thos, dsvs
was constitutional bashfulness. and he was not
little habbergasted, therefore, when he was snn-
moned to the quarter deck one bright morning To
interpret between tn Commodore and a yoanr
Owyhee princess the favorite daughter of the
Chief OF the island where they were anchored -
She had swum of to the ship and climbed up he
side and now stood in all her tropical florescence
an exquisiie'y developed young woman of sixteen.
draped mainly in her flowing tresses and her un-
conscious mod .sty and gesticulsting in the most
hveiy manner, TO the very great admiration of tie
officers and crew. She had evidently o message
OF Importance 20 commune ate.
obedient to the summons Of course, the gold
laced cap of the young interpreter MILDLY made
its appearance, and he proceeded to open COM
municatou with the fair Undine-getting side ia.
tmation from the officers audieoced abon. on the
gun carriages and port holes that the Dialogue of
inquiry should be prolonged as far rs possible.
lie was not long in learnin CHER eFsand; bat
how with bis bashfuness to translate Il 10 tie
Commodore aud those groups Of listening Lieu
rsx~ts
preston of the Islands admiration Of his superior
knowledge, as shown in the mastery Of their LAM
guage, aud proposal for the honor OF his hand
The girl had swan off as her fathers ambassador
to make the Offer of herselt-the answer being
waited on shore n full council of warrior chiefs
The difficulty Of maintaining the proper quarter
deck gravity, or Of SO REFRESHING tho mirth of the
surrounding epauletts as not to give offence to
the native pride Of the auto question popping
Princess was considerable. Maury has no re-
collection at present whether he himself stood On
his head or his heels during the interview. The
Com nodore was discreet however and it was
snon understood that the legafe Of foreign pow
er was to be treated with respect whether the di-
psomatic drapery were more or less entire, aud
the proposal was to be respectfully received
The wardro ON boat was meanw hile ordered to be
manned. and the ships newest dag spread iu the
seats to envelop ths royal unclad on her less wa
ter draped return. Maury was to 90 - coxs sai"~
and restore the Ieay ~ her parents bat his or
dcrs were discretionary. He was to make every
assurance OF amty between the United States
eousd-oot accouns to make any such re-
lection OF the proposed honor as would lead to .
misunderstanding.
1t was pull OF a mile or two, the sea smooth.
and the tars willing for once to sit with their
backs to the bow. The officer and his flag enyel.
oped passenger had the conversation to them
selves; and be vas busily cogitasing In the bash
f6f back parior Of his mind, how he should behave
under the probable ciFcumstances-phnse lst. ID,
or 3d-when the young lady unexpectedly jump
ed overheard, aud swan the rest Of the way 10 the
beach; taking to her heels arriving at the sand,
With ceierity for which be could 10 10 way Ac-.
amt Was she angryi wasshnA : probabi !,
ity of his being disembosle1 basus il =
should try to ovsrtake herf Id IS y
i i was wa. best o. ths sn0|1 ~ 0ofas.
e p0hts; saS' 81 foIIovsg up the fugiusss--
70 get chance, perhaps, trpscify the papa So
,re.a'ihg the boat down uson the beach. he took
nus way along to the Chif's bungalow.
= 1lislsnos inland, and on ar
~ i"g, ne fo--" s.As hs was considerably expect-
Tor festivity. the tables sprsaA FOR : royal ban
qnet. and the fruits and drinks in abundant prod
lgai,ty- The chiefs were already in . state Of
eAc,.ehent' which precluded ell explanation or
oat to yield to circumstances. He mus. ,narry
"a la owyhee) in order TO keep the peace and pro.
tect the commerce Of the nation.
lhe delays were apparently inconsiderabIe -
In very short time the runaway bride appeared,
dressed in all manner Of Pacific ornameois at,en.
ded by her mother and bevy Of sister islanders
The Commodore was either not expected, or no.
missed; the ceremony was performed-what there
was of it-with only native witnesses sud thipgs
proceeded as usual
For the remaining winter months, the slooD
was anchored at the same island, and Prince
Maury OF course had fne opportunity of becorn
ing acquainted with the manners aud customs -
His copper colored papa proved very gentleu ~.
iy, and as long he staid he was most Affection
ately treated.
His subsequent half century. as the world of
science SO well knows has been devoted to the
study OF natures more universal unexpectedness.
es-the charm Of this first lesson acting, perhaps
as an initiative relish-bat whether 90 or not. the
Owy hee romance as a prelude co . very distin-
guished mans life long pursuits, 10 well worth pre-
serving Cor bis future biographer