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

-orced a resolution, and waited on the
rest as well as l could through it all.
The youngest of the children got
over it first; my wife suffered most, and
we had been FIVE days at sea before she
was sufficiently recovered to be able to
come on deck. When at last she got in
to the fresh sea-air, it revived her at once
her appetite and strength returned, and
her old cheerful spirits and activity as
well. She set to work 10 put things in
comfortable trim, and made our little
cabin quite a parlor.
We had reason to be thankful that
we were separated in all respects from
the steerage passengers. They number
ed about fifty to sixty in all, and were
not only of the poor and miserable, but
of the dirty and degraded class. Near
ly all were Irish, and about third Of
them were women, who-I will say that
for them, poor souls were much bet
ter than the men, and did a good deal to
restrain the violence of their conduct
and language. I don't think the whole
storage could have mustered five shil.
lings among them, and the greater par
had nothing but rags for clothing. They
subsisted entirely on the rations deal
out to them, and about these, and small
stock Of tobacco which seemed TO be com
mon property, they were quarrellins
( day and night. Soon after shutdown tn,
captain sent them all below, and shu
down the grated coverings Of the hatch
way; but noticed that he took contin
ual care to ventilate their quarters, 70
he was afraid, as he told me, lest som
virulent disease should break out anon.
such dirty set, and we without doc
tor on board.
" Our crew consisted of eight me
besides tie mate and three boys; ther
were no cabin passengers, nor was ther
any accommodation for any-the Can
den carrying a good deal of merchandis
principally of rough Birmingham good
. such as are in use and demand anon
settlers and colonists. I was no sailo
as 1 said before, and i'll qualified to judg
Of sea matters yet l could not help thinE
ing we made but slow progress, compal
ed with other vessels. We were in th
track of ships bound to New York, an
l had noticed that one ortwo which hoV
D in sight in our rear had overtaken an
passed Us in the course of day. Whe
, / mentioned this to the mate, he sa
3 those vessels were liners, built for sailir
and not for trade, like the Camden. II
were doing well enough.
: " From the position of our cabin,
e could hear. as I lay in my berth at nigE
E not only every movement of the ere
q but also, when the weather was not rou.
r and II was mostly fne-every wo
O that was said. To this circumstance
n owe it that 1 am now living man, a
e that I and mine are not lying fathol
- deep in the devouring sea One mig
d as I lay awake listening to the lap, lap
a the water against the side, the voices
; the captain and mate conversing in
le undertone drew my attention. Sol
De words that passed between them arous
to my fears; sprang out of bed, and ste
in ing to the door, overheard enough of
IS, parley to make my blood run cold.
of gathered that the vessel was leaking
in all points through the strain Of the C
" go-that in spite Of pumping to the
Sc most, the water gained upon them, Z
IT. that it was the mates opinion she wor
- founder, do what they might, Wit
n twenty-four hours. The crew. of coul
Iy were not ignorant of their condition, Z
in they woald mutiny and seize the bc
ng and abandon the ship, unless relieved
rk some vessel in the course Of the foIle
Id ing day. The captain was plainly
his wits end, and knew not how to
10 To make the passengers aware of Il
ne position would be certain destruction
al all on board, as nothing else could be
eli, pected but desperate fight for life
wn which the boats, hardly capable of {
tanning two dozen people, would to
aid tainty be all swamped. A groan f
lil- the captain was the last sound 1 hes
the as they turned away from the spot,
rad converting together.
ew " You may suppose the trouble Of
Us, mind at this fearful discovery. I th
I'll goodness It was not allowed to uns
lde my wits, and 50 prevent me from
ne what was best to be done. I thong
8, a right not to oppress my wife and IA
) Of with this bitter knowledge, 50 long
no could be avoided and as lay awake
Il Il Il