Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-11-26

though he knew not what. More than
once he sat down on a coil OF rope, and
buried his face in his hands. until be-
gan TO doubt whether he would quit the
vessel at all. and had not made up his
mind to remain and share the miserable
fate Of the castaways. But be, like my
self. had a wife and children dependent
upon him; the thought Of them no doub,
tugged at his heart-sirings, and urged .
him TO selfpreseryation. The last
thing he did was to go and withdraw the I
bolt which fastened down the grating
over the steerage; and then, signing to
me to slip down the side, h. said in a
whisper; They are awake; heard
them talking. The Lord have mercy
upon them They will never see the
day
We were no sooner in the boat than
the men pushed off and moved rapidly
away, as if determined 10 get out OF
sight and hearing of the miserable beings
left all unconscious of the fate that was
fast approaching them. We made but
little way, however, because our boat
; was to heavily loaded. The captain gave
orders to have certain things thrown
overheard, and some Indispensable pro-
! visions transferred to the other boat,
: which was less crowded. These things
delayed US for some time within stones
> throw of the Camden, from which
could not withdraw my eyes for a mo-
2 ment. The moon shone SO brightly that
o every rope of the doomed vessel was
# visible, and all the familiar Objects on
=, the deck which had been our home
:; Nearly all the sails were set, and show
, ed ghostly-white beneath the moon but
'i the vessel being without guidance, they
1t tapped idly this way and that, ike tn,
ID wings OF a wounded bird. Slowly the heae
of the vessel turned round, and, As SD,
I'd drifted before the wind, advanced to
o wards the boats. Just then | saw fig
ure in white night-dress running fran
ID ticaIly about the deck-now peering owe
as the side, now, with hands clasped abov,
Its head, gazing up at the sky, but utter
It ing not word. Then it disappeared
t and within minute, from the hollow hul
of tire vessel came a tuuuIi Of voices
u of savage execrations mingled with Dc
IL spairing cries and shrieks. as the forlor
- and wretched creatures swatmed out up
on the deck. They crowded to the liul
" boat at the stern, fought savagely for I'll
possession of it, and swamped it in til
vain attempt to get it ahoat-the mo-
forward and furious of them peri>hin
;" before the eyes Of the rest. And no
"e that all were aware Of the death th;
awaited them, the cries and the curse
p" and the long dismal howls and shriel
III all mingling together, were most hear
'c1 rending and horrible to hear, and vi
vi ring in my ears 20 my dying day. The
en- soon caught sight Of our boats, as Il
4e men, panic-stricken. by the awful sound
a. paused upon their oars, and gazed as
- fascinated by the fearful tragedy. J
'e'- the sinking ship lurched heavily near
and nearer, We merely pulled a f
nh strokes sufficient TO maintain a safe
as lance, and then paused and gazed aga
I'M The poor doomed wretches, slrrlchi
vas their clasped hands towards u, pray
ep- piteously for the help we could not afo
them and anon g0aded to madness
nm our silence, for we answered them not
ahd word, called down curses from heav
no upon our heads. II was a dreadful a
MY sickening thing TO be obliged to BY fr
ma the distress which we would all have =
lat lingly risked our lives to alleviate. Il
on alas there was no help for It and
me we could DO was 70 add IN silence our
'iek' ter lamentations to their own. For "a
"ef than two hours we sat the agouiz
spectators Of this horrible tragedy.
ags, must have been nearly three hours +
a0y- midnight, when the Clmdea went do
1ren and the last drowning cry Of the wrel
ide f; ed passengers rang IN our ears. / pr
cred ed TO Heaven earnestly that night tba
.teIy human eye might ever again behold >
not a spectacle; and hope the Great Il
mere Of the universe will hear ny prayer.
+ lit aThe dead, cold silence that follo
e re- struck more terror 70 my heart tbar
two the agonisiug cries that bad gone bei
, Gf- Then heard the strong men sobbing
Nv. women BAT a thess sounds. the eap
who who had bid his face from toe drea
the spectacle Of the wreck, roused bim
,gnld and III calm severe voice ordered
IN. a. men to pull away, himseli taking Cd
and OF the rudder. bad been in a 80
IA .AEs sE.,... a...E.f. - +