vered from the first shock; and was writhing about in an agony of fright and pain, screaming and chattering, and tumbling over head and heels, under the impression, no doubt, that the glaring eye was watching the chance, with uplifted beak, to give the coup-de-grace to his small existence. Finally he scuttled off to his retreat, and did not show his face for several days; but ever after, when capering about or engaged in some mischief, an imitation by any one of that awful scream uttered by the mysterious stranger when he planted the bill into his back, caused the little fellow to make all sorts of grimaces expressive of disgust and terror, and away he'd scuttle to the hiding-place. The incident I have related was a delightful episode in our monotonous life. And though a small matter, yet none but he who has been confined on board a ship for some months, and the greater part of that time out of sight of land, can truly appreciate its value. We had all retired to our respective berths, and I was dreaming of home and my mother's cheerful fireside, when I was suddenly awakened by an unusual tramping over head. Coils of ropes as if hurriedly cast off from the pins by the sailors, clattered upon the deck. The ship, too, had altered her course, and evidently was under easy sail, gently rolling from side to side. I concluded a squall was coming up; for we had now become familiarized to almost every manœuvre, and could tell the meaning of any movement on the deck in the night; yet I recollected how perfectly clear was the atmosphere when we went below, without the slightest indication of a squall or even a change of wind. I was about to turn myself again to sleep, when I heard the mate say, "How's your head now," and the answer of the helmsman. A silence prevailed for a few moments, which was interrupted by the voice of the captain crying out, "Heave again!" The next moment I heard the lead plunge into the sea; I leaped out of my berth; the cabin was illuminated by the reflection of a pale light through the cabin windows. Upon reaching the deck, imagine my astonishment at finding every thing in disorder; the ropes all cast off and strewn upon the deck, the maintopsail aback, and the lower sails clued up; the ship was stationary, whilst the captain and mate were standing on the bulwarks gazing upon the sea; which was as white as the purest milk.* "What the d-l is it?" said one; "there was no bottom with two hundred fathoms." It had the strangest and most unnatural appearance, and created those indescribable sensations one always feels on suddenly beholding an object entirely out of our preconceived notions of the order of nature. As far as the eye could stretch, from the mast-head, this unnatural appearance extended. Accustomed as we had been for months, to the dark blue ocean, the effect was startling and impressive; it was strange and unaccountable. In vain did we perplex ourselves with a solution of the mystery. The atmosphere was unclouded, the magnificent constellation of the cross sparkled with its usual brilliancy, beside its strange dusky * Since the publication of the above, the author has been informed by Captain R, a veteran and skilful China trader, and who has made a dozen voyages from Philadelphia to Canton, that more than once he has witnessed the same phenomena. companion, the cloud of Magellan. All was as usual, except the sea; we were sailing in an ocean of milk as white as a field of snow. This phenomenon continued for nearly an hour, when we passed out of it, the sea resumed its usual colour, and we were again upon our course. The oldest sailor on board had never seen the like; it remains unaccounted for. I had taken the precaution to fill a bucket with some of the water; but upon examining it next morning, I could perceive no difference between that and the ordinary sea water. Afterwards, at Canton, when dining in company with the celebrated Captain Ross, this circumstance was mentioned; he said he had seen something of the same kind once himself, and thought as we did that he was on a white sand bank, but that he could get no bottom with several hundred of fathoms. Be it what it may, I never shall forget the appearance of the sea that night, and the strange undefinable feelings it inspired. Land ho! the watchful topman cries aloud, That mocks the sight-then meets the eager gaze— Retires, returns, until a nearer view Reveals an outline of unvaried blue. ST. HELENA. SUNRISE AT SEA-LAND HO!-DESCRIPTION OF A SHIP UNDER FULL SAIL, AND A SPANKING BREEZE-SEA SICKNESSTHE COAST OF JAVA-MISTAKE WINDROW BAY FOR THE STRAITS OF SUNDA-ESCAPE SHIPWRECK-MALAY PROASMASSACRE OF THE NATIVES BY AN ARMED BARQUE. UPON approaching any of the numerous islands, how anxiously did we inspect the chart for its precise position, and examine every book in our possession which treated of the navigation of this part of the globe, for any description of the interesting spot. At dawn of day I was upon deck; the gallant Rosalie was cleaving her way under a spanking breeze. The atmosphere was as clear as crystal; Aurora had tinged the eastern horizon with a soft mellow light, which was beautifully contrasted with the dark blue sea, gemmed with innu merable jets of milk-white foam, that crested every wave. Suddenly a bright ray streamed up almost to the zenith; star after star gradually faded away; from a soft yellow, the east was deepened to a bright orange, and the god of day leaped forth from the bosom of the ocean, gilding the summit of every glad wave that danced and sparkled and clapped their hands with joy. Who is there of God's creatures, at such a moment, that would not bow down and inwardly adore his Creator? and what heart would not beat in fervent acknowledgment of His glory? I felt it all, and mutely bowed before that magnificent shrine. But mine was a season when no one impression long chained the attention. With what unalloyed enjoyment did I then gaze upon the thousand novelties that daily occurred and delighted Full of youth, spirit and animation, my blood coursed through my veins with healthful rapidity. The elasticity of limb had not yet been crippled by disease, nor my heart and mind seared by affliction; every thing was couleur de rose. I was neither burthened with the cares of life, nor oppressed with gloomy thoughts of provision for the future. me. Frank and manly in the expression of every feeling, I imagined all to be governed by the same impulse. It was not till late in after life, experience and closer contact with the busy world dispelled those illusions. O, happy days of youth! with what melancholy pleasure do I now review thy joyous existence. "Land ho!"—said a voice from the fore-topgallant mast-head. "Where away?" shouted Gardner. "Two points upon starboard bow, sir." |