We at sea seven days, and were now off Cape Hatteras, when there came tremendously heavy blow southwest We were, in measure, prepared , however, weather holding out threats for Every thing snug, alow and aloft; and wind steadily freshened, we lay to, , under spanker and foretopsail, both double-reefed

trim we rode safely enough for forty-eight hours--the ship proving herself an excellent sea-boat in many respects, and shipping no water of any consequence end period, however, the gale had freshened into hurricane, after-- sail split into ribbons, bringing us trough water that we shipped several prodigious seas, one immediately other accident we lost three men overboard caboose, and nearly the whole larboard bulwarks Scarcely had we recovered our senses, foretopsail went into shreds, when we got up storm staysail and did pretty well for some hours, the ship heading the sea much more steadily than before

The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs abating The rigging was found ill-fitted, and greatly strained; and third day blow, about five afternoon, our mizzen-mast, in heavy lurch to windward, went board For an hour or more, in vain rid of it, on account prodigious rolling ship; and, before we had succeeded, the carpenter came aft and announced four feet of water hold To add to our dilemma, the pumps choked and nearly useless

All was now confusion and despair--but an effort to lighten the ship by throwing overboard of her cargo as reached, and by cutting away the two masts that remained This we at last accomplished--but we were still unable any thing pumps; and, meantime, the leak gained on us very fast

At sundown, the gale had sensibly diminished in violence, and sea went down with it, we still entertained faint hopes of saving ourselves boats At eight P M , the clouds broke away to windward, and we had the advantage of full moon--a piece of good fortune which served wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits

After incredible labor we succeeded, , in getting the longboat over the side without material accident, and we crowded the whole crew and most passengers This party made off immediately, and, after undergoing much suffering, finally arrived, in safety, at Ocracoke Inlet, third day wreck

Fourteen passengers, captain, remained on board, resolving to trust their fortunes jolly-boat stern We lowered it without difficulty, although only by miracle that we prevented it from swamping as it touched the water It contained, when afloat, the captain wife, Mr Wyatt and party, Mexican officer, wife, four children, and myself, with negro valet

We had no room, , for any thing except few positively necessary instruments, some provisions, clothes upon our backs No one had thought of even attempting to save any thing more What must the astonishment of all, then, when having proceeded few fathoms ship, Mr Wyatt stood up stern-sheets, and coolly demanded of Captain Hardy boat put back of taking oblong box !

"Sit down, Mr Wyatt," replied the captain, somewhat sternly, " capsize us sit quite still Our gunwhale is almost water now "

"The box ! " vociferated Mr Wyatt, still standing--"the box, ! Captain Hardy, , refuse me Its weight but trifle-- nothing--mere nothing mother who bore you-- love of Heaven--by your hope of salvation, I implore you back box ! "

The captain, for moment, seemed touched earnest appeal artist, but he regained his stern composure, and merely said:

" Mr Wyatt, mad listen Sit down, , or swamp the boat Stay--hold him--seize him ! -- about to spring overboard ! There-- it-- over ! "

captain said this, Mr Wyatt, , sprang boat, and, were yet lee wreck, succeeded, by almost superhuman exertion, in getting hold of rope which hung fore-chains In another moment on board, and rushing frantically down cabin

meantime, we swept astern ship, and being quite out of her lee, were mercy tremendous sea still running determined effort back, but our little boat was like feather breath tempest We saw at glance doom unfortunate artist was sealed

As our distance wreck rapidly increased, the madman (for as such only could we regard him) was seen to emerge companion--way, up which by dint of strength that appeared gigantic, he dragged, bodily, the oblong box While we gazed extremity of astonishment, he passed, rapidly, several turns of three-inch rope, first around the box and then around his body In another instant both body and box were sea--disappearing suddenly, at once and forever

We lingered awhile sadly upon our oars, eyes riveted spot we pulled away The silence remained unbroken for an hour Finally, I hazarded remark

"Did you observe, captain, how suddenly they sank ? Was not that an exceedingly singular thing ? I confess that I entertained some feeble hope final deliverance, when him lash himself box, and commit himself sea "

"They sank as matter ," replied the captain, " like shot soon rise again, however--BUT NOT TILL THE SALT MELTS "

"The salt ! " I ejaculated

"Hush ! " said the captain, pointing wife and sisters deceased " talk things at some more appropriate time "

We suffered much, and made narrow escape, but fortune befriended us, as our mates long-boat We landed, in fine, more dead than alive, after four days of intense distress, beach opposite Roanoke Island We remained here week, ill-treated wreckers, and obtained passage to New York

About month loss "Independence," I happened to meet Captain Hardy in Broadway Our conversation turned, naturally, disaster, and especially sad fate of poor Wyatt I thus learned the following particulars

The artist had engaged passage for himself, wife, two sisters and servant His wife was, indeed, as she represented, most lovely, and most accomplished woman morning fourteenth of June (the day I first visited the ship), the lady suddenly sickened and died The young husband was frantic with grief--but circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring his voyage to New York necessary to her mother the corpse adored wife, and, other hand, the universal prejudice which would prevent his openly was well known Nine-tenths passengers abandoned the ship rather than take passage with dead body

dilemma, Captain Hardy arranged corpse, being first partially embalmed, and packed, with large quantity of salt, in box of suitable dimensions, conveyed on board as merchandise Nothing was said lady's decease; and, as well understood that Mr Wyatt had engaged passage wife, it became necessary that some person should personate her during the voyage This the deceased lady's-maid was easily prevailed on The extra state-room, originally engaged girl during her mistress' life, was now merely retained state-room the pseudo-wife, slept, , every night daytime she performed, best of her ability, the part of her mistress--whose person, it carefully ascertained, was unknown to any passengers on board

My own mistake arose, naturally enough, through too careless, too inquisitive, and too impulsive temperament But of late, rare thing that I sleep soundly at night countenance which haunts me, turn as an hysterical laugh which will forever ring within my ears