The Post-Captain; Containing Also a Choice Collection of Sea and Other Songs (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI.-Lo o'er the welkin the tempestuous clouds, Successive fly, and the loud piping wind Rocks the poor sea-boy on the lofty shrouds: While the skill'd sailor, o'er the helm reclin'd, Lists to (he changeful storm; and, as he plies His wakeful task, he oft bethinks him, sad, Of wife, and little home, and chubby lad, And the half-strangled tear bedews his eyes. H. K. White. Thk steward now got out the cot, and our hero went up the ladder with his lady. When captain Brilliant came upon deck with Cassandra, a more beautiful scene could scarcely be imagined than that which presented itself. The moon was gazing at her face in the water, the sails were reflected on the deep, and the repose of the night was disturbed only by the roar of the ocean, whose talking waves the sea-boy chid as he lolled over the bow. The bell was now struck four; and the man at the wheel was relieved, and the log was hove. "She goes eleven knots, sir," said the master's mate, addressing the lieutenant with a bowing mien. "Ha " cried the captain," she walks through it indeed." "What is a knot?" said Cassandra.. "A knot, my love," replied the captain, " is a mile." "How loud it blows," said Cassandra. "Yes, my dear," said the captain; "the wind whistles through the blocks, as the old fellow ob served, when he had only half a sheave at the mast-head." "Does it ever blow harder at sea?" said, Cassandra. "Harder my dear," replied the captain, "it sometimes blows hard enough to blow the devil's horns off." "My dear Brilliant " said Cassandra. "Cassandra," whispered the captain, "it is too cold for you to be upon deck. Come below and turn in." "Let me stay upon deck a little longer," said Cassandra. "The sea is so awful. It reminds me of a passage in the Bible. They...