EPISODES 301 



manner we could, we at last reached the ' hard woods ' 

 which had been free of the fire. Soon after we came to a 

 house, where we were kindly treated for a while. Since 

 then, sir, I have worked hard and constantly as a lum- 

 berer; but, thanks be to God, here we are safe, sound, 

 and happy ! " 



A LONG CALM AT SEA 



On the 17th of May, 1826, I left New Orleans on 

 board the ship "Deles/' commanded by Joseph Hatch, 

 Esq., of Kennebunk, bound for Liverpool. The steamer 

 "Hercules," which towed the ship, left us several miles 

 outside of the Balize, about ten hours after our de- 

 parture ; but there was not a breath of wind, the waters 

 were smoother than the prairies of the Opelousas, and 

 notwithstanding our great display of canvas, we lay like 

 a dead whale, floating at the mercy of the currents. The 

 weather was uncommonly fair, and the heat excessive; 

 and in this helpless state we continued for many days. 

 About the end of a week we had lost sight of the Balize, 

 although I was assured by the commander that all this 

 while the ship had rarely answered the helm. The sail- 

 ors whistled for wind, and raised their hands in all direc- 

 tions, anxious as they were to feel some motion in the 

 air; but all to no purpose; it was a dead calm, and we 

 concluded that ".^olus" had agreed with "Neptune" to 

 detain us, until our patience should be fairly tried, or 

 our sport exhausted ; for sport we certainly had, both on 

 board and around the ship. I doubt if I can better con- 

 tribute to your amusement at present than by giving you 

 a short account of the occurrences that took place during 

 this sleepy fit of the being on whom we depended for our 

 progress toward merry England. 



