Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-10

in years, it has always been with sor
of expectation that every cruise woulc
be my last. | think its best to be pre-
pared for the worst, and then il the wors
don't come, we're always the happier fol
it you know
But TO return to the dangers of thi,
Maelstrom, which l have an almost ir-
resistible desire to visit, said /, do you
think l might venture near it without
any unusual risk? / will admit, to be.
gin with, that there is danger in the at,
tempt--and SO for that matter, there wa.
in my coming here, and will be in my
sailing from here for my native land
but what | wish to know is, if may ven.
ture near the whirlpool--near enough tc
behold il in all its terrific sublimity with.
out laying myself open TO the censure ol
fool-hardiness p
'Yes, l think you may replied the old
fisherman, thoughtfully, provided you've
got good, trim, easily managed schoon-
er, favorable breeze and a careful, ex-
perienced pilot
'Where then can / find and charter
such a craft ?
why, if your honor wishes it, said
the old seaman, dofing his hat and quiet
ly smoothing his silver locks, Il think /
might furnish you something to your
liking, and offer myself as pilot, provided
we can agree upon terms, which shall
not be at all exorbitant.'
| looked steadily for a few moments
at his calm, weather-beaten face and
clear eye, and felt that he was the man
for my purpose.
Il will listen to your TERMS said /.
After little reflection he named them
and considering them too reasonable
for objection, | accepted them at once.
This matter being settled. preparn-
lions we're Immediately hastened for set
ing forth on the curious, and to me, fear
'ul adventure and the next day saw me
walking the deck of snug, well-rigged
schooner, on my way TO a sublime scene
Of peril, that for many long year bad
often come up in my fancy, with a very
strange kind of fascination. l need not
describe my voyage down TO the Mael-
itrom, for that is Of no moment in this
1t had its excitement and
even peril, as all cruising must along
hat rugged g. dangerous coast--steering
sharply among rocks, through foaming,
ashing sea-but all thought of minor
hangers was swept from my mind, when |
or the first time | came within hearing
# a sullen, heavy roar, that my Norwe-
,ian friend informed me proceeded from
he awful vortex we were on our way to |
'isit. A sudden tremor seized me at this |
which, though the visible
fleet of excessive awe, seemed rather
hat Of terror to the simpIe-minded fish
rman, who at once declared bis willing
ess to return if feared to go forward.
No. said |, regaining my wonted COM
osure, and becoming more emphatic
hrough sense of shame at my physical
US forward to the very
rink of destruction, as far as the boldest
yer dared 7
well, there is no danger after all,
n such day as this and with such
reeze, he replied in a re-assuring tone
md though the novel idea of sailing
'ithin the suction Of such roaring and
eafening whirl of waters may make
our honor a triae timid and uneasy,
ct you only keep stout faith in the eau
on and skill Of Horold Saulgar, and
QUILL live to tell your friends tale of
'onders.'
From the moment l first heard the
istant roar of the Maelstrom, we sailed
irectly towards it for more than one
our, the sound gradually increasing in
olume as we neared it, until it became
} lould that it was with difficulty that {
1uld distinguish the different and some-
mes rapid orders of the daring fisher |
ian. / was excited by strange emotions
ven while only the sense of hearing
as reached, but when at length sight
as also brought to bear upon the whirl-
g gull, and beheld the inky waters a
evolving around what seemed a mighty .
i or cavern, and then rolling, tumbling
I'd lashing their swift passage down.
ard to a white bed Of foam at the bot
m of the great deep, / became thrilled
ith sublimity that carried my humble
I'd awe-strieken soul beyond the con-
iousness of time into the very pres
ice of great. almighty and inoompre-
snsible power.