INTRODUCTION. 



13 



wheel, who answered his orders with precision. "Port," said 

 the pilot. " Port, Sir," — replied the quarter master. 



" Steady," said the pilot. 



"Steady, Sir," repeated the quarter master. 



When we arrived at the Narrows, our prospects of getting 

 to sea that day were blasted ; the wind suddenly changed, and 

 we were obliged to bring the ship to anchor. 



After spending several days at Staten Island, the wind blew 

 fair. Soon the anchor arose from its bed ; the sails were again 

 spread, and swelled into beautiful curves, that harmonized with 

 the straight lines of our spars and rigging ; we moved over the 

 placid surface of the bay — the leadsman's song ceased — our 

 bows nodded recognition to the crested wave of the ocean — 

 the pilot boarded his little vessel, bearing our last farewell, and 

 we stood on our course towards where the waters and skies 

 seemed to meet. The day was in its splendor, but lighted no- 

 thing to us save the expanse of the sea. Night came, and the 

 moon looked over the mighty scene, and her light danced over 

 the waves. The stars shone brightly and calmly ; the breeze 

 blew mildly. Thus, day succeeds day, and the sameness of 

 ship's duty is only relieved by occasionally meeting a sail as 

 lonely as ourselves. 



There are times, however, when the dark clouds hang upon 

 the horizon — the waters darken, and heaving themselves sul- 

 lenly, often to a fearful height, burst into foam — the scud flies 

 over the heavens — lightning flashes — thunder rolls, and the 

 storm howls furiously across the waste ! The ship, then strip- 

 ped of her canvass, rises and plunges to the impulse of the 

 waves, and the wind moans sadly through the shrouds. Then 

 does man, indeed, in his majesty of mind, appear warring with 

 the elements, and bidding defiance to their force. The noble 

 bark seems to spurn the angry buffetings of the deep, and glides 

 triumphantly over the heaving billows. Well tempered enthu- 

 siasm swells the bosom of the skilful director of this wonderful 

 machine. He scans the heavens and the wild waste ; his voice 

 rises above the tempest, and his orders are executed, by those 

 whom he guides, as fearlessly as they are given. 



Then follow, the abatement of the winds, the smoothing of 



