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

over the stern.
"It must have been about an hour
after sunset when the captain began com
planning of the filthy safe of the decks.
and DECLARING that be would have them
swilled at once, ordered ail passengers to
their berths. There was some demur
among The rough Irish fellows at this
mandate, but he quilted them by the
promise of kettle ofrum-punch, which
he ordered the cook toprepare and serve /
out to them. They were now all obedi-
ence; were soon in possession of the /
grog, and we heard them singing Justify
in chorus while it lated. Meanwhile. /
/ the pumps worked harle.r than ever. and /
some show of swilling thu decks was
made; but sat like eat or the watch,
with my gun loaded in my hand, knife
in my girdle, and ready to act at the de-
cisive moment. 1t was a moonlight night.
and | could see plainly all that took place
t around the long-boat. From time to
time things were brought and put into it;
among the rest, the ships compass and
chronometerS.
: Before midnight, the nsise in the
! steerage had died away, and tn, whole Of
: the emigrants were probably buried in
? sleep. The mate came on tiptoe down
| to our cabin-door, and listened to ascer-
f tain if any of US were awake. The
e breathing of the children decieTed him,
0 and he returned to the deck, where he
Il Immediately signalled the lowering of the
# boats. The whole crew were but too
d ready to assist at this service; three OF
e them sprang into the boat at the side
which touched the water the next minute
!, and then the long-boat was hauled to-
|, wards the slings, and was in the act o
IT being suspended, when | felt the momen
d was come, and, rushing out, presented
< myself to the astonished crew.
70 They paused in their work, an,
= glancing silently at one another, began t.
d gatheJ round me.
le What is the matter, Singer?' sal,
ID the captain, you seem alarmed; ha
d anything disturbed you?'
r Il had taken my station against tn
to bulwarks, under the sings, before l Tt
ly piled.
rt am not man TO be alarmed viii
as out reason l said. You know whetl
er speak truth, when Tell you there
he reason enough now
tn you are dreaming, he returned; bl
r. I have no time to parley with you be
good as to return to your cabin
or That's of no use captain replied
o. pray, understand at once that kno
IN everything. ] don't intend to 90 TO ii
bottom with my wife and children,
he long as a chance remains. You dor
nix lower that boat unless you take my fan
b ly on board As spoke, l tapped twi
eat on the side-raiI, and Betsy came out
deck, with the girl and seven childre
as l had hidden her, Refuse my
ng mand. l went on, and we raise the pa
are sengers, and let them know the truth.
ID 5 Who win escape then, you can tell b
IN ter than l.
'"e Again the men looked at each ot
er. and though several of them made
ma if they would speak, each checked hi
0' self, and for minute not word y
7P- uttered. At last an old seaman st,
ped forward
's' It's no use talkin' and dispui
mo now he said. Mr.. Singers right /; a
O,' i. can't be expected for him to do
ep otherwise. We must have the fam
- with Us, and leave the provisions behi
sa7 aud trust to being picked up; lhi
=. what it Is, cap'n, aecordin' to my 'pinic
-, ''' There is nothing else to be dol
was the captains answer. Be qui
a." boys; put in the children, aud los
''''' away.
of Two or three barrels, as many b
that and large hamper, were hastily rem
nce ed from the boat. My wife and child
we're put into it as it hung over the 81
to two seamen followed, and it was lowe
ess- into the water, the sea being foFtunai
her calm. The boat at the stern was
Is of lowered at all it was in fact but Il
and cookie shell, and would have been Of
chill tie use. The captain distributed the
her mainder Of the crew between the
keep boats, so that the lOng-boai carried
rs Of teen in all. and the other seven.
rev self and the captain were the last
self. left the vessel. Notwithstanding
ri in terrible anxiety Of the moment, c
and not help plying that miserable mat
Oh be fingered and fingered on board,