Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-04

quentiy threatened to throw IT overheard y,
'hey made weak grog, which was sparingly
served out to them in the heel of an old
shoe, the best substitute they could find for
a glass. The ship had been much infested
with rats, and after these vermin were dr;.
ven from their lurking places below by the
water, they took refuge on those parts
which were left dry, and openly run about
among the people on the forecastle. From
tnis station the captain would not permit
| tnem to be driven, lest in the extremity of
their distress, should no friendly sail an.
pear IN view, they might ultimately be com.
peiied to have recourse to these trouble-
some guests, as temporary respite to ex-
plrlng nature! But the rats were a terr;
oe annoyance to the almost exhausted suf
Ierers' as the vermin fell prey to want
'hey aevoured each other; nav, they even
attacked the naked feet of the seamen
whist asleep, and when brushed awav INV
tnelr hands, fastened on their fingers -
wlth view OF keeping hope alive amongst
J DIS almost dying companions. the canta;n
oHered two dollars, which he found in his
pocket, as premium to the man who
should iirst descry relief; but faith and vioi-
lance at last conferred in himself alone. and
On the evening of the 9th day, 18th Oct. in
lat. so, so, long. 14,) he proyidentialIy es-
pied sail, which he did not. however an
nounce Tor ten minutes, lest the stranger
should not steer in their course. When all
o1uue on So momentous point was remov-
ca; ne ordered the friendly bed-quilt,
(which had before been so servieeabIe. and
was the only signal they could then mus.
teri to be hoisted and the harbineer of
their Joy proved 10 be the Sachem. cspfain
Rowland, of Boston, from Liverpool. for
america, who Immediately on perceivine
the wreck bore down, and rescued the suf7
ierers, at moment when despair had an
Parently reduced nearly the whole of them
10 the last stage IF existence.
Alter being all safely removed from tbe
wreck, Capt. Rowland, with genuine chris
tian Denevoence, treated them with tbe
tenderness of Observation-Disclosures IN
them simple food in limited quantities and
b. similar judicious means their dormant
iaCuiues were soon re-anImated and they
were all speedily restored to the use OIL
theT limbs. Two days afterwards. thew
teli IN with the John, Capt Brassey. from
AFRICA for Liverpool, to which vessel thew
were transferred, aud after again experien- |
eng the humane and feeling regard due to
Iheir pltiabe state, were safely landed at |
Liverpool on the 18th Oct. Their deliver
ance was most providentiaI, as a gale of
wind and heavy sea came on the follow
ing day, which must have swept every soul
o. the wreck; On the 1Ith, 7 days after
.hey WEE picked up, the vessel was fallen |
in wltlfsfn lat. so, 81, long. IL. so. driItino
at the mercy of the waves, by the William
arrived at Liverpool from New-York. We
have been careful to detail the particulars
OF this escape, having obtained the infor-
nation from one of the survivors and were
at the same time anxious to record so strik-
ing an example OF the benefit to be derived,
IN similar circumstances, from that pious
resignation, GOODNESS and intreDility. bv
which the conduct of Capt. Carder was so
distinguished throughout the
whole OF this very trying and appalling
'cene.--Catedoaian JNercury.