Languages & literature > Aurus clavus, or, The adventures of a gold trinket, supposed to have been written by itself

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graduated on our sight. Their glaciers were
sparkling like diamonds in the rays of a beauti¬
fying sun—the clouds were rolling in massy
volumes along their ample sides, upon which
the fearful avalanche hung tremendous. The
heavens had a more beautiful azure than
they had ever before seen—the waters were
at rest like a sleeping child—and our barque
danced merrily on, for one would have thought
that nature had lulled itself into a dreamy
silence, listening to the harmonious sounds
breathed from Sir James’s flute, as he sat on
deck, surrounded by his lovely children, whose
spirits seemed to be much lightened by the de¬
lightfully refreshing scene. But, alas! that our
pleasures should be so transitory; for this
seemed too beautiful to last long. The wind
gradually rose until it strengthened itself into a
tempest—a sudden darkness overspread the
heavens, the sun was enveloped in clouds
■—the gloom of angry nature lowered, and she
appeared to be mustering the thunder of her
wrath. A few large drops of rain fell, which
were interpreted as a prelude and omen of
something more dreadful. One livid flash of
lightning darting from the bosom of a dark