Year: 1862

1t was a beautiful afternoon, about
three years ago, that / was master of a
tidy S:ig, bound from Liverpool to the
River Plate. The atmosphere was OF
that peculiar state when noises are dis
tinctly heard at long distances, and even
whisper is almost startlingly distinct.
We were running free, with everything
sci, and the ocean as tranquil as wood
land lake. The men were employed on
various jobs of work; some were making
sinnet for chafing gear; others were squar-
ing settings, and Others were at work on
a top-gallant sail, which had been split in
a heavy squall the day previous. l sat
just in the entrance of my private cabin,
reading an entertaining novel, and was in
the midst of a vivid description of a
wreck, when suddenly the cry was raised
forward and carried aft, Sail, hop Go
ing upon deck, and looking in the direc-
tion designated by the mate, l saw a
large steamship, which, from her appear
ance, l concluded to be of Danish build.
She was about eight miles ahead of us,
and holding a course about two points
westerly of our own. was surprised
that no one had seen her before, for she
must have been in sight some hours.


l looked at my watch, and it was a
quarter of four o'clock. Having lighted
cigar l seated myself on the taffrail Of
the vessel, and watched the movements oi
the steamer, which were of an unusual
character. Her paddle wheels were nc
longer in motion, and she appeared tc
drift without control. This so excited
my curiosity that I went to the cabin
and got the spy-glass, so that l could OBJ
serve the deck of the Dane. Considera-
bic confusion evidently prevailed, for the
crew and passengers were running to-and.
fro in great disorder. could not make
out, however, whether they were fighting,
or what could be the matter. / waited
anxiously to see some signal of distress
but none was made. After awhile quiet
seemed 10 be restored, and she commenc-
ed to move slowly on her course.


Half past five came, and l went below
to supper. AS l descended the compan


ion-way gave one more look at the
steamer, and she was in clear sight, moving
on course but little off from our own
and only two or three miles distant. My
chief officer was man of considerable
talen; and reading, so that it was by nc
means uncommon for me 10 sit at table
chatting with him, longer than I other
wise should have done. This evening
four bells were struck just as we rose from
table. Taking couple of cigars from my
room, presented one to my mate, ant
lighting the other, went on deck to enjoy
my usual evening smoke. The steamer
was still in sight, but the shadowy twi
light rendered her outline dim and uncer
tain. AS / leaned over the rail, enjoying
the soothing influence of my cigar, and
watched the gradually disappearing steam
er, 1 pictured 10 myself the various group:
that, perhaps, were at that moment gath
cred on the deck, and watching our little
vessel. l pictured to myself a family
group, with its past history and future
hopes. Perhaps lovers were there, dream
ing over distant homes and cherished
loves; perhaps death was there, in all il
solemnity and gloom. l leaned my heac
on the rail, aud thought Of other days
Of when l too had my loves and my
home-aud ! thought Of how desolate il