The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-10

A THRILLING ApvENTuRE.--GraceG Greenwood
has sent the Boston Transcript a letter from her
brother in California, detailing one of the most
thrilling adventures we recollect Of reading. We
publish il:
SAN Francisco, Sept. 18Th, 1850.
DEAR SISTER Since writing the accompanying
letter, have passed through the most terrible and
heart-rending scenes possible to imagine. You
will see by the enclosed paragraph from the .1tn
California Of yesterday morning, how the hunting
excursion Of which | wrote, ended.
Mr.. Haviland was fine young fellow, with
whom became acquainted at Panama he was
apparently much stronger than |, and some six
feet tall-a manly and fine looking young man,
and Of one of the best families in New York.
We left town early Monday morning in his
miles to remain three days. and had all our equip
ments, provisions, &c, with US. We had not
been out an hour when a sudden puff Of wind cap
sized US. Haviland was steering, and had made
the main sheet fast, instead Of keeping it in his
hand. was standing forward by the mast we
were opposite the town in the middle Of the bay
as near as | could tell. The wind bowed per
feet gale, as it does one-half the time here fortu
natey, had knife and cut away the rigging
and Haviland pushed the mast out of the keel, and
sails mast, booms--all cleared us and We rlghted
We next dove down, and with our hands tori
up the dunnage TO get at the ballast then We go
on the gunnels, turned the boat over, and go
astride Of the keel, and after remaining some little
time in this situation, we again rghied and go;
into her. Every thing had gone adrft-bIankets
guns, provisions, &C., and the gale was still III
creasing, every wave dashing all over us.
got hold Of the painter, and dashed myself III
the bow, while Huviland tied himself in the stern,
The tide and wind drifted up the bay few
miles, and thought that the tide when it changed
would take us near the shipping, where we could
be picked up; but this was not the case, for il
only drifted US mile or two.
Just before night, Haviland began to fail fast
his face was swollen and his eyes dilated Oh
how bitter cold The wind was increasing every
moment-the waves dashed over us tilriousIy -
the sun went behind black cloud, and the waters
grew dark.
The poor fellow, HaviIand, babe me good bye,
and told me what to do in case survived. lie
then begged me to come to him, and we would
" die in each others arms | tried to feed him
with hope, and to encourage him to struggle with
death a while longer-but he despared. The
black night came at last snd the gus nOcked
around us in great numbers. Soon after dark,
Haviand began to droop his head and cry for
help. The salt water choked him, and he soon
became derious and struggled to get loose from
where he was tied. Oh! can never forget those
wild screams and mad rawlings which mingled with
the bowling of the wind and the ocean, and made
every thing so terrible.
After about fifteen minutes passed in this way,
a tremendous wave covered US both, but him lon
ger than usual-directly after came his death rat
tie, and then all was over. Still the wind and the
waves kept driving me furiously on The moon
came out and cast a faint light over that desoate
scene and then darkness by the clouds.
The shore still doomed up, but seemed no nearer;
yet there fingered faint hope in my heart which
nothing could quench. Thus passed that terrible
night. How 1 lived through it is the greatest
wonder. Many time looked at the still form
Of poor Haviland, and envied him his quiet sleep.
BY daylight the boat had drifted some fifteen
miles up the bay, and into the harbor among the
sand banks. / crawed out on shore, and after
getting life enough in to walk little, crossed
toward the main land had gone but short dis
lance when boat load Of seamen came down
llltle river and took me in their boat They gave
me some meat and brandy, and taking me into the
woods, made a large FIRE, cut of my boots, strip
ed me and rolled me in their blankets, rubbed my
hands, &s. They stayed with me until night
and then went to rancho which they found
and hired man to take the body Of Mr.. Havi
land and myself to town. Wednesday night al
eight clock, arrived here with the body and to
day we buried him.
My limbs have heen quite swollen, but to-day
am quite well again.
ALBERT II. CLARKE.