Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-03-16


guard us occasionally from some more tremen-
dous bllow, or tie an additional knot to the ropes
which sustained us, formed now their pastne
and employment while poor steerage passen.
ger, the only survivor out of thirty-six, stationed
himself aft to display tabe-cloth he had found,
as signal Of distress.
But the sun rose and set. The brig was not,
apparently, much nearer than in the morning.
Our exhausted strength made it impossible for
us to hope of being able to sustain ourselves in
our present position during The night. The first
mate, ever ready in devislng expedents, said he
would see what he could do. The moon and
stars were already out,-the long swelling waves
indicated that the storm was over. Strainng eyes
once more bent toward the quarter whence the
brig was last seen-it was nowhere VISIBLE
Slow murmurings of discomfort were scarcely
uttered, when one star, more beautcous than the
rest, seemed descending. II shone. from The main
rigging Of that lille brig. 1t was the signal OF
our deIiverapce, and like the bow in the cloud,
gave token of goodly morrow
Lightly ard checrily were preparations COM
menced for the night, With a sail thrown over
the boom which lay across the bulwarks, the eye
lets in the edge being threaded with ropes and
tied fast to The windward rail, we were seated
upon it, with our heads leaning back against the
boom toward the leeward. The sensation was
most uncomfortable, having the impression that
| VIC ehouiu We tOSSeI over UT urdpgeu uIueT ny
the force of the waves washing over the ship
Soon, however, being accustomed TO our new sit
uation, we fell asleep, securely and peacefully as
the infant rests upon the bosom of its mother
Ever and anon the silence Of the night was bro
ken by the low-toned question, Is she nearing
us ?" Ard the faithful Waterman answered
steadily, I" she's holding on--shel take us off in
the morning"
Early in the morning were earnest gazers gath
cred at that ships side. The brig was nearing
u.s. Once more, and for the last time, the mate
descended the cabin, and returned bringing a
demijohn and wine glass; Weak hands and par
ched lips took their allowance of one glass with
quiet gratitude The memory of that scene will
not soon pass away. small bottle of whiskey,
rescued from the medicine stores of one of the
passengers, had greatly tended to alleviate the
teverishness oecasioned by our sufferings, apply
ing 1t very spariogly 10 our lips, and again dis
charging il.
Now we gathered strength to be lifted 10 the
ships side. Leaning against the rail we watch
ed the little ciaft which was steadfastly bearing
towards US. Every sail was SET The ripple
:, was seen at the prow-the men on her STERN
She swept like falcon past US. Looks of dis.
may were scarce depicted, ere "ship ahoy !" met
our ear. Gracious God If human deverance
is so sweet, tchdt must thy s1vdiion be Words
OF interchange were soon passed, and the little
boat was alongside. Who shall take the first
risk? Long swelling waves lay between u.s.
The sailors began 10 swing over and creep down
the ships side, like spiders, when the captain
crying out " for shame, boys for shame let the
ladies go first" with the assurance of the brip's
crew that they should be taken of,--they held
back, and we were let down into the boat. Strong
, and heartily did the oalsmen pull, till the voice
, OF their captain lat the same time throwing O
rope) ordered them to haul under" Quickly
too quickly were the oars laid The boat reared
, and tUent ander the stern, The brig, being upon
! the-crest OF 0wave, came down upon the side oil
the boat with such violence as to dash piece
out of her keel.
, The men had not time to regain their oars, but
t rushing to the side nearest the brig, pushed with
their hands and brought the boat round. Many
and strong arms were uplifted to aid us in seal
! ing the briggs side, and kindly were we convey
ed to the cabin. There stood basket upon the
table. Stretching out my hands, l asked -fo
/ bread Our parched lips, however, forbade the
t qualification Of this desire now. Water water
! was our cry. 1t was soon brought, but SO sal
/ and unsavory that our sick souls turned in dis
0 gust from it. Another cask was preached, q lit
tie more palatabe. OF this we drank until we
a were satisfied.
g Our deliverer Capt. James II. Dawes, of the
brig Balize, Boston,) now set himself to devise
some dry and more comfortable clothing. Hi
1 own and his mates wardrobe supplied US. Fifty
six hours Of wasting and midew made US les
fastdious than we were wont to be SO resign
ing our wet garments 20 the galley, we cheerful
ly accommodated ourselves to the change, al
6 though we made somewhat tantaslica appear
9 ance in small clothes. For day or two we re
y manned quiet, but the confined air of the cabir
made us DESTROYS to get on deck as soon as prac
tcable. Resuming our own scanty but dry gar
!, ments, with handkerchlets tied under our chins
+ we repaired to the deck and continued to MAKE
v ourselves content and happy-not in adopting thu
soloquy OF the stole, when surveying the fair o
q Athens he said, How many things there arr
. which do not want" but by the inception o
the Apostles gracious spirit, when he said, Hav
- ing food and raiment let US be content"
# The many nterpositions-alnost miraculous
n by which we have been preserved from til,
o fate TO which so many Of our number were con
a signed, filled us with devout gratitude and sobe
o Joy. We were anxious to learn more of our de
lverer, and we now conversed freely with Cap
tain Dawes. He told us that it was almost by
q miracle that he discovered our situation at ALL
o He said that on account of rent made in hi
Il sail, he could not keep on his course, but wa
!. obliged TO vary couple Of points or SO /; in do
j, ing which, as he stood on the deck, he caught
l. glimpse of our dismasted ship, but again los
"a sight of it, as the sea was running very high
"a Taking his spy-glass he went aloit, and a; lengt
d brought within his range the speck which he ha
A seen IN the distance on that wide waste of wa
/. ters lie gazed until he could distinctly see tn
n wreck, and men going up and down The sky-gh
Of 81 must save Them" he thought in his human
" heart, at Is u wreck, and living men are on i
: and passengers, too, know, by their going dow
Or into the cabin"
~ Twenty-s six hours he resolutely lay to, ere h
n could near our -iateo vessel, and the only hos
re pitality lie had then TO offer us, that whlc
e cruiser to Port-Au-Prince afforded, and 30
ne miles from Shore His brig was provlsioned fo
" seven men, but he knew not and cared not hoy
l. many times seven men he succored; nor wha
,e might be the consequences to himself. The los
I'd of his insurance he must risk, the dispeasure
If his owners and charterers but his science an
It. his heart, unsullied by such consideration
- prompted and determined him 10 rescue US. Ill
he magnanimity was constant and unlalling.
ar When there rose cry OF scarcity OF brea
O. after VIC got on board he put his own men o
er allowance, that zoe might not suffer from hunge
e, His spirit seemed ~ transuse itself throughol
nd his whole crew. In vain we demonstrated wit
H. the good steward, that we toouid not accept III
bounty of fresh water to wash and refresh us
its the morning. "We'ye not come To- that yet, Ii
IS dies, (exclaimed he,) III measure it out 10 yoi
f. aud when that fails, you shut haze my share"