National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-08-22
A CURIOUS "ASE.

In that quiet time of the year wheI
none of the dangerous and trcacherou!
little storms so frequent in the Mediter
ranean-known to sailors py the nam,
of white squalls-disturb the Tranquil
serenity of its deep blue waters; wher
by day the warm and brilliant rays OF
the sun make the crest of every little
rirple glitter and sparkle, till the sur,
face of the sea resembles dewy mead.
ow at sunrise and when at night the
moon always rises clearly and brilliantly
into deep blue cXpanse of cloudless
sky, studded with myriads of stars lat
shine with softer and purer radiance
than they ever do when seen through
the foggy, misty atmosphere of our be-
loved England.
1t was at such time, and such n
night as this, somewhere between Bey-
rout and Malta, that the noble frigate
Aster was cleaving her way through the
dark waters--so quietly and smoothly
that, but for the phosphorescent line
Of light that she left in her wake, and
the ripples of brilliant foam which she
scornfully dashed, with murmur as of
protest at their unwonted disturbance
from her shapely bow, could an obser-
yer have been near her, he might have
thought that he gazed on some beaute-
Gus vision of n ship, with all her belly
ing sails cleaning white in the moon
light against dark background Of sky,
instead Of solid reality of oak and
canvas, freighted with living men.
Captain Richard Montague had left
his orders for the night, and had turned
in some hours before. The middle
watch had been mustered, and were
stretched about the decks, amongst the
ropes and between the guns, seeking
such repose as the hard planks afforded
their weary limbs-lulled to sleep by
the almost imperceptible motion of the
ship, aud the soft, cool breeze, which
was Just sufficient to fill the swelling
sails. Lieutenant Jones, the officer of
the watch was pacing up and down on
the quarterback, keeping watchful
eye on the sails and the helmsman, his
hands buried deep in the pockets OF his
loose easy-fitting monkey jacket, and
whistling softly, to himself, Home,
Sweet Home" For myself, | was list
lessly swinging my legs ON the capstan,
i'll peaceful and contented frame of
mind, drinking in the placid beauty of
the star-spangied sky, and letting my
thoughts idly roam away to my far-oti
English home, in which direction they
were probably carried by the soft, low
whlstllng of the lieutenant
\ tinkling noise was suddenly heard
from below, and Mr.. Jones stopped in
his walk and his whistling to listen.
"The captain bell sir, said |, jump
ing off the capstan.
And SO it was, as the sentry Informed
us IN due time, with the additional in
formation that |, the midshipman, was
wanted III his cabin. So down | went.
wondering not little what he could
possibly want.
Now, Captain Richard Montague,
who was in command of her Britannia
Majesty's ship Aster, was not crotch
ETY. or tidgety man; nor had he any OF
those bullying propenslties that, alas !
too many of our otherwise inestimable |
captains VIGOROUSLY evince. He was a
kind, courteous, gentlemanly man, firm,
and straightforward; very different |
from the old school of clustering, |
swearing, rough and ready old sea-dogs |
that every reader of Marryatts wonder
ful stories is inclined to associate with |
the idea of ''navy captain" He was
one who maintained strict discipline IN
his ship, without the exercise of any
undue severity. On shore he was jo-
vial and atlable to all, keen sports
man, and an enthusiastic promoter of
athletic sports, shooting matches, dra-
matte performances, and games for the
amusement of his men-inciting both
officers and men to a wholesome rivalry
IN such diversions, at all of which he
was an adept. He was man habitually
cool and courageous III time of trouble
and danger, and won honors and dis
tlnctions for personal gallantry from
grateful country.
But when | went into his cabin on
TINS particular night, he was not him
SELF. Something appeared to have
shaken the equilibrium of his habitually
steady intellect, and / knew that it
mu be an affair of great Importance,
Tor his hand shook as he beckoned me
to come closer, and he was looking
pale and agitated in the extreme.
He was in his dressing-go sitting
by table on which light was burn
Ing, and beside him was placed glass
OF strong brandy-and-water.
lie seemed about to communicate
something; but, after some hesitation,
appeared to change his mind, and ask
ed abruptly if l went the rounds of the
snip below regularly during my watch,
according to his orders.
replied that / did.
That's right" he said, apparently a
little relieved And then, after pause,
lie asked me, with considerable earnest
ness of tone and manner, if l had done
so in that watch.
And, as he asked, he looked eagerly
INTO my eyes as if to make sure that L
was not deceiving him.
1 answered that l had, most strictly
ana conscientiously.
lie then asked me several other ques-
1iohs = OF similar nature, to all of which
l suppose | returned satisfactory ans
Sers, Tor he seemed much relieved, and
" dismissed me with short laugh, and a
peasant Goodnight. Thank you.
a ana before / shut his door heard
,llm nd mutter, "Pshaw folly - and laugh
10 say that / was surprised by this
Az and unusal conduct on
ne ne part of Captain Montague would
Hall r II