Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-11-26
cLARKSyIILE, TENN, FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 26, 1858.

seemed to promise us a chance Of life and
what that was will appear before long. ]
could not sleep, and yet towards morning
I fell into doze, from which was reused
by frightful dream of wild storm, and
all my little ones swallowed Up in the
vortex of the sea, and none to save them.
"Next day l went on deck and en-
deavored to behave as though ignorant Of
everything; it was hard task, for was
never used to deceit. / watched narrowly
everything that took place, and knowing
what I did, saw but too plainly confrrna-
ton Of what I had heard in the anxious,
dogged looks of the crew. / heard the
noise of the pumps going continually,
though I could not see them. About nine
o'clock it came on to rain, and rained the
whole of the day SO hard, that few of the
emigrants came on deck, and those only
for short time The rain was accom-
panied by thick mist which bounded
our view to a miles circuit at most. 1
had noticed that a signal futtered on the
mast, which had no doubt was distress
signal but what chance was there of its
being seen in the thick rain-mist2 There
was brass gun on deck, and about noon
the captain gave orders to have il scaled
and cleared up by one Of the boys. 1t
was fred several times, and the report
brought up lot of the idle fellows, who
clamored for more discharges, which the
captain, as if to crafty them, allowed. I
knew well enough that these also were
signals of distress; but they were not
heard, and the day passed away, ard no.
thing hove in sight.
"About half-an-hour before sunset, the
mist blew off, the clouds dispersed, and
the whole sea-view was again clear to the
horizon on all sides. watched the faces
of the crew as they looked anxiously
round; the mate himself ran to the mast
head with telescope, and remained there
till the sun had sunk, and only long
streak of yellow light shone in that direc-
ton. The fine evening had brought all
the passengers On deck, and they were in
cined to dance and be merry. All my
little ones. too, ran out into the sunshine,
and gamboled playfully among the cordage.
1t made my heart break to look at them
My wife was about calling them in to put
them to bed; then it was that beckoned
her into the cabin and shut the door. l
took both her hands in mine, and looking
her sorrowfully and solemnly in the face,
said:
"Betsy, my loving wife, can you, for
the dear children's sake, Danish all wo.
mans fears and weaknesses, and be firm
} to act as shall bid you2'
at was not so much the words as the
tone Of my voice which made her shrink
back, and, in manner, grasp for breath
but she recovered herself with a great
effort.
; "'John, she replied, Il knew it I have
known all day there was somethin dread
full on your mind. Let me share it; I have
right to share it; with Gods help car
and will bear it-indeed, indeed, you shall
not have to reproach me with weakness.
"'It is well,' said; remember what
you have promised, and that the lives o.
all you love may depend upon your keep
ing your word
"I then told her the dreadful tidings
and how the knowledge had come into my
possession. She heard the whole will
more fortitude than had expected; bu
she turned stone-oolor at my words, ant
from the calmness with which she spok,
afterwards, you might have thought he
heart had turned into a stone
"What are we to do, John2' l will
: obey you in all things. Is there any hop
y of life? My children my chidren'
1 Remember l said, mot word o
a grief or complaint, lest you destroy wba
0 little hope there is. Trust in Providence
, and do what tell you"
e ~ then gave her directions-frst, l.
: put the children to bed without undress
}, ing them then with the help of her niece
a to pack up some small parcels Of preserves
meat and sweet biscuits, and to have QUITE
e clothing ready for the children at mo
:. ments notice. gave her as much to
!, as could think of, to keep her mind fror
c running on the horrors Of our situation
d which, as the crisis drew near, were hard
IS ly supportable to myself
,- "I then went on deck, sent the girl i
$, with the children, and walked up an
N down with INV avas uide oman 7 ohsarv