Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-04

"Who is it that dares to countefmand my or
ders? Is it not enough that you run the ship
into danger, you must interfere to keep her
there. If another word --"
"Peace Mr. Griffith" interrupted the captain,
bending from the rigging, his gray locks blow
ing about in the wind, and adding a look of
willness to the haggard care that he exhibited
by the light of his lantern "yicld the trumpet
to Mr. Gray; he alone is able to save u.s."
Griffith threw his speaking trumpet on the
deck, and as he walked proudly away, muttercd
in bitterness of feeling
"Then all is lost, indeed and among the rest
the foolish hope with which visited this coast"
There was, however, no time for reply the
ship had been rapidly running into the wind
and as the efforts of the crew had been paral-
yzcd by the contradictory orders they had heard
she gradually lost her way. and in a few seconds
all her sails were taken aback.
Before the crew understood their situation
the pilot had applied the trumpet to his mouth,
and in a voice that rose above the tempest, re
Numbered forth his orders. Each command
was given distinctly, and with precision that
showed him to be master of his prolession.-
The helm was kept fast, the head yard swung
up heavily against the wind, and the vessel was
soon whirling round on her heel with a retro
grade movement.
Griffith was too much of a seaman not to per-
ceive that the pilot had seized, with percep-
ton almost intuitive, the only method that
promised to extricate the vessel from her situa-
ton. He was young, impetuous, proud-but
he was also generous. Forgetting his resent
ment and his modification, he rushed forward
among the men, and by his presence and exam
pie, added certainty to the experiment. The
ship fell off slowly before the gale, and bowed
her yards nearly to the water, as she felt the
.Yl,s IL,
the surly waves beat violently against the stern,
as if in reproach at departing from her usual
manner Of moving.
The voice of the pilot, however, was still
heard, steady and calm, and yet so clear and
high as to reach every ear; and the obcdient
scamen whired the yard at his bidding, in de-
spite the tempest, as if they handled the toys
of their childhood. When the ship had fallen
off dead before the wind her head sails were
shaken, her aft yards trimmed, and helm shift
ed, before she had time to run upon the danger
that threatened, as well to leeward as windward.
The beautiful fabric, obedient to her govern
ment threw her bows up gracefully toward the
wind again, and as her sails were trimmed
moved out from among the dangerous shoals in
which she had been embayed, as steadily and
as swiftly as they had approached them.
n moment of breathless astonishmcnt fol-
lowed the accomplishment of this nice ma
nRuvrc, but there was no time for the usual ox-
presSions Of surprise. The stranger still held
the trumpet, and continued TO lift his voice amid
the howlingS of the past, whenever prudence
and skill directed any change in the manage
ment of the ship. For an hour longer there
was fearful struggle for their preservation, the
channel becoming, at every step, more comph-
Gated, and the shoals thckenlng, around the
mariners on every side. The lead was cast
rapidly and the quick eye OF the pilot seemed
to pierce the darkness with keenness of vision
that exceeded human power.
1t was apparent to all in the vessel that they
were under the guidance OF one who understood
the navigation thoroughly, and their eXertons
| kept pace with their revivng confidence. Again
and again the frgate appeared to be rushing
blindly on shoals, where the sea was covered
with foam, and where destruction would have
been as sudden as it was certain, when the clear
voice of the stranger was heard warning them
of the danger, and melting them to their duty
! The vessel was implicitly yielded to his govern
ment, and during the anxious moments when
she was dashing the wateIs aside, throwing the
spray over her enormous yards, each ear would
! listen eagerly for those sounds that had OBJ
tanned a command over the crew, that can only
be acquired, under such circumstances, by great
steadiness and consummate skill. The ship
was recovering from the inacton of changing
her course in one of those critical tacks, thai
she had made so often, when the pilot, for the
first time, addressed the commander Of The
frgate who still continued to superintend thu
all important duty of the eadsman.
"Now is the PINCH" he said, and if the ship
behaves well, we are safe but If otherwise, al
we have vet done will be useless"
The veteran seaman whom he addressed left
the chains at this portentous notice. and calling
| oc ,bo
am explanation of his warning.
"See YOU yon light on the southern headland?'
returned the pilot .you NAV know it from the
star near it by its sinking, at times in the ocean
Now observe the hommoc, q little north of it
looking like shadow in the horizon It's hill
far inland. If we keep that light open from
the hill. we shall do well but if not, we surel,
90 to pieces"
LET us tack againl" exclaimed the lieuten
ant.
The pilot shook his head, as he replied
"Thcre is no more tackng or box-ha ling t
be done tonight. We have barely room tC
pass out the shoals on this course, and if VI
can weather the Devils Grip, we clear thei
outermost point; but if not, as | said before
there is not an alternative"
"If we had beaten out the way we had enter
ed" continued Griffith, "we should have don
we'll"
"Say also i. the tide would let us do so,' re
turned the pilot calmly. "Ge u-men, we mus
be prompts we have but mile to go, and tn,