Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-09
EV ENING STAR.
THE CABIN BOY.


On the 10th of April, in the year 1888, a
fine brig named the Titon was preparing to
leave the port of Havre, in order to 60 fishing
for cod on the coast of Newfoundland. Her
captain, Giles Varenne, was regular rough,
hardy seaman, caring little whether the wea-
ther was fair or foul, and accustomed to navi-
gate his vessel as well through fogs . Through
sunshine.
The Titon's de,k presented buy s. enc.
All tho crew were occupied in getting on board
and storing away their sea-stock Of wine,
brandy, salt meat, -four, lines, nets, hooks,
leads, together with vast quantity of salt.
Amid abundance of noise, hustle, and loud
talking, the long-boat made her last trip from
the shore, and out of her there stepped on
the deck, with timid, trembling air, boy Of
about twelve years old. He went up to
sailor who had just lighted his pipe. /" Sir"
he began, twisting pretty cap of green vel
vet between his small hands. The rough sea.
man interrupted him with loud laugh.
I" Sir, indeed! 20 he replied. "My name is
Malandin. What do you want, young chap"
"Do you want a cabin boy on board ?''
II know nothing about it; you must 90 and
ask the captain; there he is standing near the
mast, with the large pipe and the bearskin
coat" The child approached the person thus
described, and before he could speak, the cap
tain thus exclaimed:
"What do you want, you young scamp"
TO be csbin-boy on this vessel" REP lied
the boy courageously.
"Did you ever go on a voyage before %
"No, but think could soon learn my bu-
siness''
"Bravo! What's your name?''
"George.,' ..
"Who is your father? 2" t..-.
''I am an orphan" replied the child, look
ing down and blushing
So much the better 10 cried the captain.
@ Here, Malandin, take charge of this new
cabin-bOy. Secure the long-bo and weigh
anchor"
"Captain, take care of the icebercs - said
an old white-headed sailor standing by s'You
are setting out too soon. In my time, we used
only to begin buying our salt in the middle of
May, and now we are only at the end of
April
Captain Varenne voucbsafed no reply, but
continued to puff forth immense volumes of
smoke from his pipe, as he TRANQUILITY W atched
the noisy process of weighing anchor At
length the sails were set and the gallant brig
left the port, amid the farewell cheers of those
on shore, while a few prophetic voices shouted
aloud " Beware of the icebergs, captain
beware of the icebergs!' -
On the first day, very little notice was taken
of George, so he thought the life of cabin
boy most charming one; but the next morn
ing the captain called him hastily, and gave
SOuuc WHICH 10 DlIH was
the boy hesitated and his impatient con-
mander gave him a kick which sent him to
the other side of the deck. George stood up
amid the derisive laughter of the crew, red and
furious, more from shame than pain; but when
he began to speak his mouth was rudely stopped
by the mate, who threatened him with good
ropes ending if he attempted to say n word
Silent Submission was all that remained for tie
child; but from that time, how often would he
Into retsrsa 20 of the deck,
weep, and watch the waves, and call soIIly on
the name of his mother.
$50 you have a mOther?' said the mate
Malandin, who overheard him one day.
"Ah, yes, and a father also,' replied
George; "and l left them to become q sailor.
Oh, how miserable I am
'You told the captain that ycu were an or
phan "
Il told a lie, for was afraid if mention
cd my parents, / should be sent back to them:
and now L am punished for it''
"They then don't know where you are,
George?,'
would not consent so took the advantage Of
his and my mothers going for a day to the
country, and came on board here, as you
know
And what makes ycu so dislike being a
sailor?''
''The blows and kicks that every one here
seems to have right to give me-"
Bah mere trife. All that will only
make you a hardy boy. The sea is fine place
the true home Tor a man W
They were now 10 81 deg min. of north
latitude, and Sc deg. SO min. west longitude
The same day-it was the 29th of May-they
met floating icebergs. Suddenly a dreadful
shock was felt. a cry Of horror burst from all
on board; the vessel had struck upon an ice-
berg, and the water poured in through her
cleft side. She began to sink rapidly, and a
terrible scene ensued among the crew Some
ran about wildly; others fell on their knees
and prayed aloud; some of the faint hearted
went and lamented like children; while few,
with more presence Of mind, lowered the long
boat, and asked the captain to get in it with
them.
Unjust be the last to leave my vessel re-
piled the bold seaman.
Meantime the ships deck was nearly on a
level with the waves, and poor George, pale
and trembling, kneeling near the mast, ex-
claimed 30 my mother my mother. shall
never see you again p,
- All is not lost that's in DANGER" said the
gruff voice of the captain. Take firm hold
ofmy leg, child, and trust to Providence
George, almost mechanically, did as he was
told; the next moment dark wave swept over
him; and he lost all consciousness. When he
revived, the ship had completely disappeared,
On two planks lashed together. Their situa-
ton was rerilous in the extreme; nothing was
to be seen around but the dark surface of the
water, varied by icebergs and floating frag-
ments Of the wreck Capt. Varenne at length
deserted a large level piece of ice, and with
the assistance Of a broken oar, after long and
painful efforts, he reached it. His dress con-
sisted of a wooden shirt, a pair of thick trou-
sers and stockings, toge' her with his hat,
which he had the good fortune to keep on his
head; but poor George had scarcely any
clothes, and was bareheaded Thoroughly
exhausted and numbed by the cold, they lay
for some time ON the ice without stirring, the
captain pOnt e:ing on the means of escape, and
the boy thinking of his good mother, and of
the tears she would shed if she knew the stu
alton of her son. The darkness and the hard
frost of night coming On, added to their mise
rry. The cold was so penetrating, that in Or
der to avoid being entirely frozen, the captain
hindered George from going to sleep, and
forced him to walk up and down with him on
the ice, as the only means of saving themselves