Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-09-26
From Tie Ne@ York organ.
THE JACK-KNIFE.

From Tie N,@ York organ.
THE JACK-kNIFE.
A ship was driven out of her course; and
cast away within sight of an unknown coast.
All on board might have escaped in the boats,
though rather crowded, but one OF the pas
sengcrs, on their refusing to admit his trunk
in any Of the boats remained in the ship to
u~niasten it and get out his pockct-book, which
contained notes to the amountof twenty thou
sand pounds. This he thought would not
detain him a moment, and he requested them
to wait, but in the hurry and ccnlusion of
the moment, he could not Immediately rec
ollect what he had done with the key of the
trunk. Having found it at last, and secured
his money, he perceived to his dlsmay that
every boat was out of sight, while the ship
was falling apart, and suddenly he found HIM
self in the sea. Catching at some article
that was floating by, he chung to it almostun-
consciously, not relaxing his hold even when
his senses were failing him. Fortunately he
was floated to land, and when he revived,
found himself lying on the beach. AS soon
as his strength returned, he ascende ed an en-
%inence, but could see no sign of the wreck
or the boats, or any human creature. But as
he was leaning despondingly against a tree,
he was startled by being clapped on the Shout
der, while a voice at his ear exclaimed,
what cheer, my hearty!' Turning round,
he gladly recognized one Of the crew, and
inquired what had become Of the rest.
"Nhy, | don't know, but | suppose they
are safe by this time; but have seen moth
ing of them"
"Were you not with them in the boatsl"
"No; | stayed on board to the last"
"And SO did ], 4 though | was not aware of
your being on board. | hope you succeeded
as well as did in saving your property
/" had nothing to save but my iack-knife
and a plug of tobacco-both safe enough in
my trowsers pockels.'
"Then why did you not think of saving
yourself at once.''
"No, / could not leave the ship 50 long as
the planks held together. She can't say |
was not true to the last. But come, COM
rade, let us see what kind of quarters we
have got into"
They travelled some distance without any
signs of a habitation. Necessity quickening
their ingenuity, they were successful occa-
~slonally in catching fish, oysters, or birds, in
all which the sailors iack-kuife proved ofin-
valuable service, preparing the proper snares
and weapons, opening the oysters, cutting
up and cleansing the fish or birds, and above
all in striking "A light to make a fire for the
purpose Of cookery. Once also when they
were attacked by IA wild beast, the sailor, by
prompt use Of his jack-knife, preserved their
lives.
They had lived in this way many months,
when arriving at the opposite side OF the is
land they found il inhabited by savageS, who
conducted thcnI " men hing. rlI6 gvutir-
man, anxious to conciliate his copper skin
ned majesty, produced a five hundred pound
bank note, and politely offered it to his ac-
ceptancc. The king examined it with some
curiosity, applied it to his nose and tongue,
and being satisfied that it was not good to
eat, returned it with some contempt. The
gentleman soon found that twenty thousand
pound could not procure the smallest consid-
Grafton. The sailor, on the contrary, in a
lew days became a parsonage Of great lmpor-
lance, from the many services he was ena-
bled to render with his jack-knife, among a
people where iron was unknown. They lib
orally supplied all his wants, and his rich
friend was glad to profit by his bounty,
One day, as they were attending the king
on an eminence overlooking the sea, they
deserted a distant sail evidently passing by
the island. They kindled "a bonfire and
holsted signals, but did not succeed in at
tracing notice.
''lf we only had a ramblc,' exclaimed the
sailor, IL think we could get within hail, as
she does not stand far out, though it is plain
she intends to pass without touching this
way"
The gentleman produced his twenty thou
sand pounds, and offered it to the king in
exchange for a cinoe, but his majesty rejec-
ted the roll of paper and turned to the sailor,
with a single word:-"knifc!"
The bargain was instantly closed; the lack
knife was received by the king with no less
delight than was experienced by the Eng
llShman, as they jumped into the canoe. BY
dint Of hard padding, and favorable current,
they got within hail, and were taken on
board the ship, which proved to be an Eng
fish vessel homeward bound.
As they came within sight of the white
cliffs, tho gentleman took the sailor apart,
and handing him two notes, which amount
ed to a Thousand pounds, said,
"N GU must not refuse to accept this, for
you have done more for me than twenty times
as much could have done. | trust you may
find these bills onedly or other, as useful as
your j%ack-kniie has been. have learned by
this time, a mans wealth is TO be measured,
not by the extent Of his possessions, but by
the use of what he possesses"
From Punch.