Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-03-27
From, The Maine STATE Signal.
a Tale Of tsae DreD.


was bound in a fine stout ship from
the port OF Philadelphia to Liverpool
The shin had a valuable cargo, on
board. and about nineteen thousand
dollars in specie. ] was prevented oy
other business. from giving much o.
nv attention to the vessel while ioau-
ing and cquipping for the voyage,
When we were about to sail. the chief
mate Informed me that he had shipped
two foreigners as seamen, one native
If Guernsey, and the other French
man. was pleased however, with
the appearance OF the crew generally,
and particularly the foreigners. They
were stout, able bodied men, and at
tentive to orders.
The passage commenced suspicious
ly, but, to my great sorrow, | soon
discovered change in their conduct
for the worse. They became insolent
to the mates, and appeared to be fire.
quently under the influence of liquor
Their intemperancc soon became in
] tolerable; and it was evident they had
4 liquor on board with them, and de-
termined on searching in the forecas-
tie and depriving them of it. An or
der to this effect was given to the
mates, and they were directed TO go
about its execution mildly and firmly.
taking no arms with them.
1t was not without much anxiety
that / sent them forward to this duty
In few moments loud and angry
dispute was followed by sharp scuffie
around the forecastle companion way.
The steward at my call, handed my
loaded pistols from the cabin, and with
them FASTENED forward. The French
man had grabbed the second-mate.
who was a mere lad, by the throat,
thrown him across the heel of the bow
spirit, and was apparently determined
TO strsngle him TO death. The chief
mate was calling for assistance from be-
low, where he was assailed by the
Guernsey man. | presented pistol
at the head Of the Frenchman, and or
J dered him to release the second-mate,
which he instantly did. The steward
then brought another pair Of pistols,
with which / armed the second mate,
directing him TO remain on deck, and
went below into the forecastle myself
] found that the chief-mate bad heen
slightly wounded by the knife of his
antagonist, who, however, ceased to
resist as made my appearance, and
we Immediately secured aim in irons
with his comrade.
The search was now made, and a
quantity of liquor found and taken in
to the cabin. then expostulated
with the others at some length Oh their
improper conduct. and expressed the
hope that should have no reasons fol
further complaint during the voyage.
This remembrance, thought, had the
effect, as they were contrite. and prom.
ised amendment. They were then
dismissed, and order was restored.
The next day the foreigners strong
Z ly solicited pardon, with the most sol
emn promiees of future good conduct;
aud, as the rest of the crew Joined in
their request, ordered that the irons
should be taken off. For several
days, the duties of the ship we're per-
formed TO my entire satisfaction; but
| discovered II 'he countehances oil
the Foreigners, expressions of deep ran
corous luminosity to the chief mate. who
was a prompt, energetic seaman, re-
curing at all times ready obedience to
his orders
A week passed in this way, when,
one night, in the md-watch, all hands
were called to shorten sail. The night
was dark and rainy, but the sea was
not high, and the ship was running at
about nine knots. The weather being
very unpromising, the reefs were taken
out of the fore and main top-sails. the
mizen Ehauled, and the fore and mizen
top-gallant yards sent down. This
done one watch was permitted to 90
below, and | prepared to betake my
self to my berth, directing that the
il mate, to whom wished to give some
order, should be sent to me. To nv
utter establishment and CONSERVATION.
word was brought to me soon after
q that he was nowhere to be found. I
FASTENED upon deck, ordered all hands
up again, and questioned every man
in the ship on the subject; but they.
with one accord, said that they had
not seen him forward. Lanterns were
then brought, and every accessible
part of the ship unavailingly searched.
/ then, in the hearing Of the crew, de-