Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-11-26


catch sight of any signals we could make,
and none we're attempted. All that day
we rowed on in an easterly course, looking
ahxiously for some relieving vessel5-
Whether the captain felt the confidence
he expressed with regard to our being
picked up, do not know; but in the af-
ternoon he caused an account to be taken
of whatever provisions were on board tho
boats had them fairly distributed accor.
ding to the numbers in each; and put Us
all upon an allowances, which he said,
would last for FIVE days, with water for
three days more. The sweet biscuits and
the spirits in my possession were added to
the general stock--the latter to be used
only for cases of sickness or exhaustion
had little inclination for food myself;
but it distressed mo to hear the complaints
of the children at the scanty meal allotted
them that day, and it went to my heart to
be obliged to quiet them by reproof; what
grieved me still more that my wife would
not touch her allowance, but shared il with
the youngest children"
Edwards evening, sail appeared to
the northward, at the distance of Eve or
six miles. We hoisted shawl on an oar
for a signal, and turned our boats towards
her and at one time had good hopes that she
had seen us, as she altered her course as
if to meet us; but she veered off on anoth-
er tack shortly after, and disappeared in the
distance and dusk of the evening. This
disappointment came like fresh clamity
and cast dismal on US all; but now the
worst thing alarmed us--ths weather be-
came overcast, and though there not much
wind, the pillows rose and fell in long black
walls Of wafer, now hoaving us aloft on
their tops, now plunging us down in the
gloomy furrows. The boat lay very deep
in the water. The captain signalled the
other boat, to know if they could relieve
us of part of our weight; but all they
could do was to take one of the water
casks, which they hauled on board with
rope. We threw over few Of the arti-
cles which could best be spared and thus
lightened the boat little Meanwhile,
the weather grew worse-the pillows be-
gan to break in foam, and the spray dash
ed over us in showers. With the aid of
a hammer, saw, and a piece of sail cloth
we managed to rig up at the stern rude
bulwark against the breakers, which would
else have swamped us. Itnow began to
rain, and that in way that promised
continuance of wet for some hours at least
In few minutes we were all drenched to
the skin-and all moro than ever impress
ed with the extremity Of our misery and
peril. My wife scarcely spoke word,
unless twas to quiet aud comfort the chill
dren, who now cried bitterly and would
not be eonsoled. The men no longer
talked hopefully; but could see them
straining their eyes through the darkness
as it descended rapidly upon US, in search
Of some passing vessel.
at think we all tasted the bitterness Of
death many times that night. Had the
swell of the sea, as we expected, increas-
ed and brought the wind in its track, moth
ing could have saved us from sinking. II
pleased God, however, to compassionate
our distress, and limit the fury of the
wave; and the rain ceasing an hour after
midnight, the moon struggled htfully from
the clouds, and showed us, oh, happy sight
a large vessel bearing full down upon us
not half mile in our rear. The men Of
both boats saw it together, and raised a
shout with combined voices. Apparently
this was not heard, and the captain called
to me to fire my gun, which had mechan-
ically brought with me, and which he had
prevented me from throwing overheard
when offered to do so. / did as he do
sired, and minute after, we had the in,
, expressible rapture Of seeing a Cash on
board the ship, and hearing the respond
ing report Of their gun. | cannot tel
you the feelings which now rushed into
my breast--the gladness and the gratitude
of such time they only know who, hav
, ing been long in the jaws of death, arr
suddenly snatched from its horrors t
! peace and safety.
) "The good ship which had saved us wa
La FpceIle, French vessel, bound 70
/ Cherbourg from New York. Except tn
captain, none on board could speak mucl
a of the English tongue; but they under
: stood our wants, and supplied them wit
!, kindness and hospitality not to be sur
: oassed. aud seemed pleased beyond meas