Polynesian., 1860-05-19
TIE First Steamboat.

We recollect reading many anecdotes illustrative
of the surprise which the first appearance of Full
tons steamer on North River created but none
so graphic as that w remember to have heard re-
lated by old Capta' It's, of South Boston,
and which we believe never yet appeared in print.
There Is something e'.-,e than real pleasure which
follows the revIvnc 81 their "reminiscences. By
contrasting the apparent lack of sensation which
at the present dag ''oks upon grand revolutions.
with the wonder !" - I5tOnishment which prevailed
half century siiCo the first appearance of COM
mon Improvements, sec how thoroughly the
idea of progress has siezed upon the universal
mind of man, and that the mighty results of genius
which crowd upon from every department of
science and art looked upon the natural con-
sequence of the az in which we live. But to our
story.
Capt. H-s. at the time we speak of, command
ed slOOp whic pl, ed a regular packet between
Boston and Albany. Besides himself there were
the mate, two han and the cabin boy. The sloop
was bound from ston to Albany with a cargo of
notons and VII Jout half way between New
York and Albany rhe wind came round ahead the
sloOP was Obliged snchOr, and all hands turned
in to enjoy themselves in the cabin, hoping that
with the turn Of .il tide there would come
change of wind. 1T about O'Clock the captain
sent the boy on dc. to get some water. He had
hardly got on deck before he returned ,-dashing
down the companion-way head foremost with ter
TOT uepiCleu on his cOuntenanCe. ne captain
hailed him in a rough voice to know what was the
matter. As soon as the boy could sufficiently
cover from his fright, he exclamed-'' We are
lost are lost! The devil is coming for u.s."
No persuasion or threat could induce the boy to
return on deck. The captain then sent one of the
hands, but he returned more precipitately than the
boy, and confirmed his opinion. The other man
Was sent, but with no better success. The mate,
though he trembled in every joint, felt that the
dignity of the profession must be maintained and
he followed up the companion-way, but after a
pause of n minute or two, he came down, and in
solemn tone declared his belief that Beelzebub was
let loose, and that their time had come. 1t was
now time for Capt. H.; all hands looked upon
him as kind of natural protector So assuming
courage he by means felt, he proceeded on
deck, all hands following him and sure enough,
to use his own expression, ''t there was sight
which made my blood curGe and my hair stand on
end.' Far away in the blackness Of the night
they saw a huge body coming down upon them,
against wind and tide, vomiting out flame and
smoke they could hear the chains clank, and by
the light of the furnace they could Just discern
four men begrimed wsth smoke, feeding the fire.
1t was terribel
On she came. putting and blowing the sound of
the clanking chains nearer and nearer. In the
agony of dispair all hands fell to praying and con-
Tossing their sins. Still on she came; when, o
horrors, they feel the heat and smell the smoke;
but she swiftly glided by and left them unharmed.
They rose from their knees in mute astonishment
The tide and wind soon changed and they weighed
anchor and proceeded to Albany, fully convinced
that their time had come, and that they had seen
the arch enemy-BoStOB Com. Bulletin.