The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-01-26
The B URNIN G SHIP.
AN INCIDENT AT SEA,
by FRED. TRYSaIL

ry to obtain one. With plenty Of no.
ney in my pockets, and great number
OF acquaintanccS, | managed to pass away
time rather agrccabIy, without 'thinku.g
of the morrow One afternoon Istroied
down towards the docks to see what was
going on, not with the least idea of ship
ping, for l had not sauandred all my
money, and of course did not feel like
going to sea just then.
| stood leaning against one of the
spiles, watching the confusion attendant
upon the departure of the New York
and Liverpool packets. Freight was piled
up on her decks, emigrants' baggage
strewed around in admirable disorder. |
was awakened from my reverie by stout,
well dressed man, asking in a quick, sharp
tone:-
We'll, my man, do you want shipr
No, sir, not to-day replied.
How long have you been to seai
Five years, sir
what made you leave your ship, and
who was master of herl he asked in a
quick, off handed manner.
She was sold-Captain johnson COM
manded her. said |, answering both of
his questions at once, without using any
supertluous words.
My reply appeared to please him, for
he gave me quick glance, and then
said:-
Il am in want Of second mate for the
Sturdy, the packet ship before you. Would
you like the berthl'
was almost bcwildered at the sudden
prospect before me. Not twenty wears
old, and the idea of getting second
mates billet on board fine liner, was
great luck.
4 am afraid l am hardly qualified, SIR
| replied, at length.
i will risk it. If you are willing and
quick, we shall get along. When can YOU
come on board-we sail Tomorrow fore
noon
In an hours time can have nv traps
in the ship, and be ready for duty
do you want any advanced
mo, sir, | have few dollars left |
answered.
Then come with me to the American
C"nsuIs and sign the articles and with
out more words he strobe along, / follow
ing as close as possible.
In few minutes had signed NV name
and found myself enrolled as second mate
OH board the Sturdy.
'Now, Mr. Trysail,' said Capt. Hardy
for such was his name-I expect YOU
will bc on board this afternoon, before
sundown.'
shall be on board before that time,
sir, answered, as | took my leave.
Punctual to my word, | had my clothes
on board in an hours time, and COM
menced my duties. | am not going to
enter on n long digrcssion to show what
those duties were-but one thing will
say, the man who goes as second mate
does not have much time to devote to idle
purposes.
The next day we hauled out, took
steam tug, and before sundown we were
forty miles from Liverpool, dashing down
the Irish channel with studding sails set
on the starboard side, and four hundred
sick steeragc passengers.
The captain was called Tartar, yet
thought him pretty easy sort of man.
If | made an occasional blunder, he was
always ready to overlook it without any
cross words. In fact | got along with
him much better than the chief mate, who
for one or two reasons, did not stand very
high in his good graccs.
We had been out five davs. Fortune
had favored us with fresh winds, and
plenty Of them, until on the evening of the
fifth day, the weather moderated, and by
eight p. NJ, the wind had died away to
three knot breeze. 1t was my first
watch from eight to twelve. l paced
the deck, thinking of home, and listening
to the loud laugh ofthe cabin passengers,
as they paced the deck, smoking their
cigars and spinning long yarns, until
towards four bells, one by one dropped
of to tl'eir berths, and was left alone.
leaned over the rail anil watched the
stars and cloudless heavens, and then
glancing along the horizon was startled
by beholding bright light a bout two
points to our starboard bow. waited
few minutes longer, but instead of de-
creasing it grew larger.
Light off the starboard bow. sir shout
ed the lookout, suddenly waking out of a
short nap.
Il see it, replied I, and then stepped
into the cabin to give the captain a call.
The old man turned ont, hurried on
his clothes, and in few minutes was
scrutinizing the light through his night
glass.
What do you think it is, sirr asked,
after, he had had good look.
The captain did not answer for few
moments, but appeared to be meditating.
At last he replied
II we were on the track OF whalers
should think it was one Of them trying
OUT but as this is no place for whales, /
am afraid il is vessel on fire.
Thought with orror what our situa-
ton would be in case Of fire, with 90 many
passengers on board.
N