shaking in the wind, and about to bound fearlessly on her destined track, must always possess a value that under no other circumstances can be imparted to it. The pilot, having taken charge of these sacred scraps, hastened to his little boat, which had been dancing on the undulating billows near the Potomac like another nautilus during the whole of the morning. The ship was now filled away, and every drawing sail set, bearing to the south and east. There have so often pretty things been said, and so many fine changes rung on language in describing the feelings of the heart on bidding to our " native land good night," that we shall attempt nothing of the kind here. We are well aware, however, that thousands are daily taking their departure without evincing any unusual emotions about it; and yet we do really believe no one can thus depart without experiencing emotions which do credit to the human heart. In four hours, and they were short ones, the last faint lines of the highlands had vanished, and the active duties to which many were called seemed to relieve them from the recollections of home. But it is the youth, the young "reefers," who have for the first time left the parental fireside, who are likely to feel much in moments like these. Though previous to their embarcation they think they have a tolerably correct idea of the privations and toils of the mariner's life, and feel their minds well fortified to combat the most untoward events; yet, when in the space of a few hours they find themselves tossing upon the mighty deep, and that deep begirt only by the open horizon, the ship dashing with each freshening breeze, with accumulated velocity, from all their young affections hold dear; 'tis then that the heart, desponding, shorn of every pride, feels its frailty, and owns how strong is that cord which binds to country and home. They now remember with the liveliest feelings and emotions of filial affection, that the kind admonitions of a father were really and in truth kind. Bygone hours and days, spent from home with convivial friends, or in search of some momentary pleasure, now present themselves to their lively imaginations, shaking their "gory locks," upbraiding them with their time mispent-or, if not entirely mispent, they feel they might have been much better employed in the society of a fond mother or sister-of those whom they now sensibly feel are and ever must be the truest objects of their affections and obedience. Having gained a sufficient offing, the anchors were, as is usual, securely stowed, cables unbent and coiled in their respective tiers, and, in the language of a thrifty housewife, as well as of the sailor, every thing "made snug." CHAPTER II. Sea-sickness-The Gulf-stream-A Storm at Sea-Cape de Verds-St. Antonio -A Whale-ship-Trial of Speed-Crossing the Equator-Rio Janeiro-Courteous Reception of the Frigate. On the second day following her departure from Sandy Hook, a tumbling sea caused an irregular pitching and rolling motion of the vessel, peculiarly unpleasant to those who were unaccustomed to the turbulent domains of Neptune. The certainty, however, that sea-sickness is not fatal in its effects, and that, sooner or later, a restoration to health will ensue, has sometimes encouraged others, whose stomachs are proof against this scourge of the "fresh man of the sea," to sport in wanton mood with the dejected feelings of the sufferer. Yes, we repeat, sufferer, for woful experience has taught, that, of all the "evils which flesh is heir to," none is so unpleasant, for the time being, as sea-sickness. The spirits droop, the heart sickens-a total indifference to life, death, friends, home, country, succeeds-until every thing seems swallowed up in that nauseating stupor which preys upon the very spirit itself! The autumnal equinox was now fast approaching, a season of the year which frequently introduces itself into the North Atlantic with storms and tempests, and even violent and destructive hurricanes. As the Potomac approached the gulf-stream, she underwent the usual preparation for storms and squalls, so generally met with in this portion of the Atlantic; so usual, indeed, that it has become proverbial "That in the stream The lightnings gleam, And Boreas blows his blast " The commodore had hoped to escape every thing like a gale, quite content to try the qualities of his ship for sailing with fine breezes and clear weather. In this, he was disappointed; as, on the twenty-eighth, the wind, which had for some hours prevailed from the eastward, with rain, partially died away, the sky became overcast with threatening appearances, which the wary and experienced seamen very soon recognised as the prelude to the approaching gale. No light sails were spread to woo the fickle breeze, but topgallant and royal yards were sent upon deck, and the flying jib-boom housed. As the night set in, the wind increased. "Now, while on high the freshening gale she feels, The ship beneath her lofty pressure reels. Th' auxiliar sails, that court a gentle breeze, . The courses were hauled up, jib stowed, mizzen-topsail furled, spanker lowered, and the fore and main-topsails double reefed. It is at such times, and on such service as this, that the brave daring, the recklessness of danger, the ambition to be foremost when duty calls, no matter where, shine most conspicuous in the character of the thorough-bred and true sailor. ""Tis his the harder toil to share, To reef, to furl the sail; Indeed, the true sailor takes pleasure in doing his duty amid real dangers, when he feels that the "superior officer set over him" is competent to judge whether or not that duty is performed in a seaman-like manner. The gale, for by eight, P. M., it had the strength of one, increased every moment till ten, when the ship was brought to, head to the southward and westward, under close-reefed fore and main-topsails, and courses furled; when, at the same time, the foretopmast-staysail was hauled down, and the fore-storm staysail set. Soon after midnight the gale had increased to almost a perfect hurricane, and the ship was pressed down by the irresistible blast, until relieved by furling the close-reefed fore-topsail, and setting the main and mizzen-storm staysails. From twelve to four, A. M., it blew with a violence seldom witnessed, even in this region of tempests. The sea, which the evening before had been comparatively smooth, now rolled in mountains before the storm. Seldom had the electric fluid assumed such a variety of colours in so short a period of time. Though the flashing was incessant, yet in the space of a few seconds were exhibited, in the coruscations of the subtile fluid, all the varying colours of the rainbow; twice did it pass down the fore-conductor, assuming on the second descent a most singular appearance. As the fluid followed the conductor, at each link of the chain, an electric spark was thrown off of the deepest red, while the livid line of light simultaneously marking the direction of the conductor, rendered it a singular phenomenon. The rain, at intervals, fell in torrents; indeed, the roar of winds, and heavy peals of thunder, the successive and vivid flashes of lightning, laying bare the angry surface of the troubled waters, and presenting to the view, masts, ropes, rigging, and the men toiling upon the yards, and at the next moment all in darkness, imparted to the night a character of wild and terrific grandeur seldom surpassed. it To the green reefers, as the younger midshipmen are sometimes jocosely called on board a man-of-war, this was rather a rough introduction into the mysteries of their profession. Indeed, may be doubted, if any protégé of Neptune, even one of his eldest sons, could view, without concern, the high and soul-stirring sublimity of such a storm at sea; his stately ship, like a huge animal struggling with the elements, now poising on the top of a deeply undulatory wave, now sinking in the trough of the sea, and again rising and bursting through the phosphoric gleamings of the crested billow, and dashing the water from her sides, as the lion shakes the dewdrops from his mane. As the morning dawned, the gale abated, and moderate breezes from the north succeeded, with a high and irregular sea. The latitude was 36° north, longitude 66° west. The metamorphosis which a vessel undergoes, after the abatement of a storm, is always a pleasant sight; and hence no sound is heard with more joy, on such occasions, than the vociferation of the boatswain, as "all hands make sail, ahoy!" is repeated by his mates through all parts of the vessel. To this call officers |