Squatter sovereign., 1856-05-13


the dinnerless voyagers now saw that they
must pass a supperiess night, even if moth
ing worse befeil them. As the evening
wore, the bungy still continued to drift out
ward; occasionally the tired boatmen
would bend for few moments TO their
oars, but it was all to no purpose. Mid
night came, and still they were drifting out
to sea-out into the Paci6c-the longest
and broadest ocean in the wide world.
The stories told, were of shipwreck, of
suffering, and of starvation, and with the
deepest anxiety did they all watch for the
| first gray of morning.
And when it did come, it was only to
show them their lonely and utterly hope
less situation, for not speck of land nor
sign of a sail, could they discern, as they
scanned the wide waste of waters with
searching eyes. Added to the. sharp Bit
ings of hunger, the more cruel snferings
from thirst, grew rapidly upon them, nor
was there aught on board to staye off or
mitigate either.
! "This is serious business" remarked
B., with more gravity than he was in the
habit of assuming, forget now exactly
how long the shipwrecked crew of the
Medusa existed without food or water, but
they were not in the tropics, and had not
such broiling sun over their heads as
that which is beating upon U.S.
! What do you think of our chances e.
queried L., in a tone meant to be de.
{ spondent.
"Well," continued b., to me, they
look mighty slim. Barring gale of wind
which would put us all out of our misery
{ at once, 1 don't see what earthly show we
have out here on the Pacific, save starva.
ton, unless some vessel should providen,
tally come along and pick US up, and we
cannot well hope for any such God-send
t as that"
But where shall we bring up, if we
/ keep this course p questioned the New
5 Yorker, his voice betraying evident alarm
7 81 As near as can calculate" respond
ed b., I" from my Imperfect knowledge o
' the geography Of this quarter of the globe
should say that in about thirteen weeks
! we should fetch up at the Feejee Islands.
Thirteen weeks?" queried the aboli
/ zionist.
4 81 said thirteen, and poor picking tbs
cannibals will find US bv that time"
: There was now silence of some tel
/ minutes, during which the different mem
2 bers OF the party seemed to be broodins
!, gloomily over the fate in store for them
4 Suddenly L. broke out with
: But what's to be done ?''
i ats a mighty sight easier to ask tha,
e to answer such a question as that" put il
d P, who, with his legs shut up under hin
o like iack-knife, endeavored to get tn
5 cramp out Of one of them by moving il
{. '' But also ask-what's to be done z''
"Well, if the worst comes to the worst,
o responded the mad wag, B., and he SAN
p his voice almost to solemn whisper, "
: say, if the worst comes to the worst, th
T.
: only rational plan can offer, is to kill an
L cook that New Yorker. have bo
e of matches, and we can make fire enough
st by breaking up the oars, to roast fe,
e slices of him-rare done, at leastr %
'Eh!' said the New Yorker, catchin
h the suggestion indistinctly, and forming
e species Of crescent behind his right eal
: with his half open right hand as thoug
J. anxious not to loose word, he exclaimed
: :" Were just alluding to me-"
d 81 was!" gravely retorted B.
:, "Did you suggest that should be xii
y ed and cooked ?'' continued the agitate
If stranger.
Exactly p was the quiet response.
l. But, why me 2 why light on me as
lie victim? what kind of play is that thin
y I've got something to say ON such a ma
l. ter: I'm slightly interested eagerly e,
Is claimed the New Yorker.
er "Unless wind and tide change. you'l
p doomedr'' responded the wag, "and there
e. no use multiplying words about it"
le But why not flip up a copper. or dra
D. lots, or give me some kind of show
u I'm willing to take the chances, and on
lie ask for single ticket in any lottery
J. life and death you may have to draw
Ie continued the stranger.
to It would be perfectly absurd to gral
Id you any thing of the kind" retorted Z
at with imperturbable gravity. " Look at
e. yourself-put yourself in the situation
" any one of us-and then consider VIII
m you would do. Supposing that you al
e. two of your abolition friends-all fro
er New York, born in the same town, schoe
re fellows together, old cronies ready to d
sc for each other-supFosing. I say, that Y