Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-11
PARTURITION OF VOLCANIC ISLAND
"A THRILLING SKETCH.

The following narrative is asserted to be en-
tirely true by its author.
1t was night of ptchy darkness. At four
bells in the first watch not breath of air was
moving, and the drenched sails, wet by the
afternoon and evening rains, hung heavily from
the yards or tapped against the masts and rig
ging, as the ship rolled lazily on the long lead
ing swells of the Pacific Ocean. A number of
days had passed without an observation of the
sun or stars and they had to run by "dead
reckoning" and were not, therefore, sure Of
their latitude or longitude. They might be
nearer danger than they thought
The captain had gone below at eight, but
feeling troubled about the portentous appear
ance of the weather, was unable to sleep, and
was on deck again, walking nervously fore and
aft, now looking on this side and then on the
other side of the quarter deck, looking anxious
" out into the darkness, then aft, then at the
compass, and then at the barometer which
hung in the cabin gangway.
Round and round went the ship, needless of
her helm, and the mercury told the same tale
it had told for hours before. In vain did the
eyes of anxious men peer into the darkness
only inky backness met their straining gaze
everywhere. Thus matters stood till six bells,
when the mercury began to fall suddenly. The
quick, Jerking voice of the captain was then
heard.
'Mr Smalley, you may take in the light
sails"
"Ay, ay, sir" and stepping to the manmast
he called out Forward, there's" and was i'm
mediately answered, "For'ard sir" "Stand
by the topgalant and the flying jib halyards.
In moment he heard the report, "Ready
sir"
"Let go the halyards and cew down let &c
the sheets and clew up; that'll do; belay all
now jump up and iurl themj be lively, lads"
While this was going on the captain took
another look at the barometer and found thu
mercury still going down fast. Thoroughly
aroused now he caught his speaking trumpet
| from the beckers and sung out, "Hold on
| there; down from alolt, every man of you
call all hands" Down came the men again
"All hands ahoy" was called with great strength
of voice at both the cabin and forecastle gang
ways, and then followed one of those scenes
which dehes such descrip ption as would make i
unintelligible to a landsman, but which any
sailor understands. The topsails were clos
reefed, reef taken in the mainsail, the jib anC
the ilying-jib, and all the light sails were furled
and the ship made ready for the expected gale
But no breath of air had been felt moving
while an unnatural stiffness and heaviness o
the atmosphere was observed by all. Severa
OF the seamen saw dim purple streak sudden
ly appear right ahead of the ship, and called
out "Here it comes SIR"
"Wherew said the captain.
"Right ahead, sir"
"llard port your helm"
"iard port it is. SIR"
"Brace round the yards"
"Ay, ay, sir"
The yards wers braced around and the sh
was got ready to receive the expected blast o.
her larboard side. That dreadful streak q
cloud grew almost crimson and there wa
heard what they thought was the heavy roa
of the coming gale, and every man seemed t
hold his breath awaiting the shock. Goo
men and courageous sailors were on that ship
deck, but they shrunk from the onslaught lik