Polynesian., 1860-10-13
No. Pa.

width, and gradually widening until it terminated
in a beautiful sandy beach Of nearly mile in
length. The whole bay was entirely hemmed in
by wild and precipitous crags and towering peaks
and bluffs, some of them reaching a height of if
teen hundred feet, and IN many places perpendicu-
lar, that when close under them, it seemed as if
the whole stupendous mass was toppling over and
about to fall upon US, and / could not repress q
shudder of alarm.
II had yentured close under one of these awful
precipices, for the purpose of examining glisten-
ing spot Of considerable dimensions on the rock
close to the waters edge, and having accomplish
ed my purpose, was about to retire, when heard
faint murmuring sound like the distant signing
OF the wind through the strings of harp, and ex-
quisitely sweet. / checked the progress of the
boat, and bent my ear attentively in the direction
from whence it seemed to proceed, but owing to
the swash of the water against the sides of the
rock, the sound did not increase. Ever intent on
novelty, endeavored to ascertain whence this del
lcate music emanated, but for q time was unsuc-
cessful. L had allowed the boat to float with the
tide to the entrance of a small cove, and about
to enter it, when again heard the sound, but more
distinctly. l cannot describe what now heard;
1t was so deliciously enhancing that l sat as if
spell-bound, drinking in the sweet sounds, until
was aroused by an exclamation of fear from the
two natives who accompanied me for they, seeing
nv peasurable emotions, mistook them for fear,
and becoming terror stricken they uttered the
noise which broke the spell and, seizing the pad
dies, they began to propel the boat from the spot
but, being unwilling to let the matter rest here,
very peremptorily forbade them. A few minutes
after chanced to lean the side of the boat to
lave my hand in the cool water, when | became
utterly astounded to find that the music was much
more distinct directly around and under the boat.
"This caused me to gaze into the water, and
began to conjure up many recollections OF stories
of mermaids and fairies, and an indehnable awe
r Not aatis cd ar ne
discovery, | looked intently into the water, and
could very plainly discern the bottom, which indeed
appeared beautiful. Ii was dotted here and there
with clusters of green sea weed; at other places,
with shells and coral of varlegated hues while at
| others deep assures in the rocks caused a very
pleasing and attractive variation in its appearance.
Over this sylvan spot myriads of the 6nny tribe,
of all sizes, shapes and colors, lowered in graceful
motion, intermingling in perfect harmony. Mean
while, the sound continued; and, being altogeth-
! er uncertain whether the music was produced by
| them threw over line with q baited hook at
tached in order to test the reality of my surmses,
| and watching TO learn the result of my scheme.
The sinker had scarcely reached the bottom when
/ felt a gentle vibration through my thumb and
fore-finger for o moment but il almost Immediately
ceased and, on looking down, / observed great
cOmmotion among the fishes, which were darting
to and fro with amazing rapidity, and the sound
died away.
and on each occasion heard the music and saw
the fishes, and became firmly convinced from
whence il emanated by the UNMARRIED results of my
experiments. had never heard more delightful
music before, and | never expect to again. Not
withstanding repeated and persevering efforts to
capture one of the beautiful marine songsters for
preservation, reluctantly obliged to desiss
from my attempts"
Similar music has been heard at the bay Of
West Pascagoula. The slaves in the neighbor-
hood are afraid to go out on the bay at night, for
they think that the music proceeds from the wan
dering spirits of some Spaniards who were drown
ed in the bay about hundred years ago, whittier
they were driven by the Indians-men, woman and
children, and perished in the waters. One of them
being asked by recent traveller what he thought
occasioned the music, replied:
"Wal, links it's dead folks come back again:
dats wat does. White people say it's dis ting,
and dat ting, but it's noting, massa but de ghosts
OBJ people wat didn't die at'rally in dere beds,
long time 'go-Injuns or Spaniards believe dey
was.''
But does the music frighten you?''
6" Wall, it does. Sometimes when I'se out on
de bay in skiff, and hears 1t about, always
finds mysef in a puspiration, and de way l works
mysef home is of de fassest kind. declare, de
way Use frightened sometimes is so bad doesn't
know myself"