The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-01-25
Misfellaueuns.
BIRTH OF A VOLCANIC ISLAND.

The following narrative by ID. c. Wright.
published in the Western Christian Advo-
cate, is asserted to DO entirely true by its
author:
It WINS night Of pitchy 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 yasds or tapped
against the mast or rigging, as the ship
rolled lazily on the long leadcn swells Of
the Pacific Ocean. A number Of days had
passed without nm 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 bells, but
feeling troubled about the porcntous ap.
pcarance Of tho weather. was unable to
sleep, and was on deck again, walking ner.
vously fore and aft, now looking on this
side and then on the other side Of the
quarter deck. peering anxiously out into
the darkness, then aft, then ut the compass,
then at the barometer which hung in the
cabin gangway. Round and round went
the slip, needless Of her helm, and the
mercury told the salne tale It had told for
hours before. In vain did the eyes Of nnx.
ious men look into the darkness only
inky blackncss met their stnining gaze
everywhere. Thus matters stood ill six
bells, when the mercury began to fall sud-
denly. Tho quick, jerking voice Of the
captain was then heard.
"Mr. Smalley, you may take IN the light
sails."
| "Ay, ay. sir;" md stepping to the main
mast he called oui-" for'anl there" and
was Immediately answered, " For'arl,
sir" "stand by the top gallant and the
hyingjb lnlyanls."
In n moment lle heard the report. Rcn
dy SIR"
@Lct go the halynrds and claw down.
let 60 the sheets and claw up; that II do
delay all now jump and firl them; bc
lively, lads
While this was going on the captain
looked at the barometer, and found the
mercury still going down fast. Thorough.
ly aroused now, he caught his speaking
trumpet from the bcskcts, and sang out,
Hold on, there down from aloh, every
man of you; call all hands," Down came
the men again. "All hands nhoy," was
called with great strength Of voice at both
the cabin and forecasllc gungwnys, and
then follows one Of those scenes which
defes such description rs would make il
ineligible to landsman, but which any
sailor readily understands. The top.sails
were close rcefcd. reef taken in the main
sail, the jib and flying jib, and nll the light
sails were filrled, and the ship made ready
for the expected gale. But yet no breath
Of mir had been felt moving, while un un-
natural stiffness nml llcayiness Of the at
mosphcrc was observed by all Several Of
tho sealncn saw dim purple streak sud.
denly appear right ahead Of tho ship and
called oui, &" Hero il comes sir"
Z" Whcrc7" said the captain. Of.
"Right ahead, SIR
I" Hard a port your helm" .........
"Ilard port it is, sir" l.u
I" Trace round the yurtls."
'Ay, ny, sir" ,
The yards were brnced around and the
ship wns got ready 10 receive the expected
blast on the larboard tack. That dreadful
streak Of clou grew almost crimson and
there was heard what they thought was
the heavy roar Of the coming gale, anal
every man seemed to hold his breath await-
ing the shock. Good men and courageous
sailors were on that ship deck, hut they
. sl,r,ink from the terrible onslaught like
frightened children. When God speaks IN
those fearful storms his voice is awful to
tho ear, and many a strong man quailcd be'
fore il. Aud tho storm itself is scarcely
more trying to ones nerves than tho mo-
ment bcfors It strikes, while men wait In
dreadful suspense.
Thus those men waited ill the minutes
Heightened into hour, and the only change
pcrccptiblc WINS in the deepening color Of
TIM, lowering cloud Of crimson light.
At length eight bells told that four o'clock
had arrived and daylight was looked for as
those men in the ship with Paul looked for
il when they wished for day. But the
struggling light Of the day seemed only 10
reveal the thickness ofthe darkness to the
wondering vision. Just q, daylight their
ears were stunned with successive quicI,
reports, louder thnn whole broadsidcs from
a hundred gun ship; tho whole heavens
wero lighted up with fiery red light the
ocean was stirred from her profound depths
great WAVES without any visible cause, ran
in the most awful conImo,ion. now striking
together and throwing tho white foam and
spray high in the air, then parting to meet
nguin IN fearful embrace rs before school
Of sperm whales ran a,hwsrt the ships
bows, making every exenion TO escape
from tho strangely troubled water; within q
few cable lengths Of the ship an immense
column OF water rose lnast head high and
fell back again with roar like Niagara
deep mo,rnfal nose, like tho echo Of
thunder among the mountain, csverna, was
constantly heard. and none could fell
whence il came; the noble ship was tossed
and shaken like playthinE.-" Great God
have mercy upon u.s." cried officen, and
men. @,yhat is dist What y coming
I...., n. I, ,he dav of it,d0ment 80 srh.