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


They were now all obedience were soon
in possession Of the grog, and we heard
them singing Justify in chorus while it
lasted. Meanwhile, the pumps worked
harder than ever, and some show Of swil-
ling the decks was made bat I sat like
cat on the watch, with my gun loaded in
my hand, knife in my girdle, and ready
to act at the decisive moment, 1t was q
moonlight night and could see plainly
all that took place 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 noise in the steer
age had died away, and the whole Of the
emigrants were probably buried in sleep.
The mate came on tiptoe down to our
cabin door, and listened to ascertain if
any of US we're awake. The breathing of
the children deceived him, and he return
ed to the deck, where he Immediately
signalled the lowering of the boats. The
whole crew were but too ready to assist at
this service; three of them sprang into
the boat at the side, which touched the
water the next minute and then the long
boat was hauled towards the sings, and
was in the act Of being suspended, when
felt the moment was come, and, rushing
out presented myself to the astonished
crew.
"They paused in their work, and glanc-
ing silently at one another, began to gather
round me.
"fWhat is the matter, Singer ? said the
captain, you seem alarmed has anything
disturbed your
81 had taken my station against the
bulwarks, under the ings, before / re-
piled.
"'I am not man to be alarmed with
out reason, said. you know whether
speak truth, when I tell you there is
reason. enough now.'
"'You are dreaming he returned !;
but have no time to parley with you ;
be so good as to return to your cabin
"That's of no use, captain I replied !;
pray, understand at once that know
everything. don't intend to 60 to the
bottom with my wife and children, so long
as chance remains. You don't lower
that boat unless you take my family on
board AS spoke, tapped twice on the
side-rail, and Betsy came out ON deck,
. with the girl and seven children, as I had
hidden her. Refuse my demand went
on, 'and we raise the passengers, and let
them know the truth. Who will escape
then, you can tell better than L.
"Again the men looked at each other,
and though several of them made out as if
they would speak, each checked himself,
and for minute not a word was uttered.
At last an old seaman stepped forward
"Its no use talkin' and disputin' now,
he said. 'Mr. Singers right; and it can t
be expected for him to do no Otherwise
We must have the family with us, and
leave the provisions behind, and trust to
being picked up; that's what it is, cap'n,
accordin' to my 'pinion.'
"sThere is nothing else to be done,' was
the captains answer. BE quick, boys
put in the children, and lower away
? "Two or three barrels, as many bags,
, and large hamper, were hastily removed
{ from the boat. My wife and children
were put into it as it hung over the side
0 two seamen followed, and it was lowered
r into the water, the sea being fortunately
calm. The boat at the stern was not low.
| cred at all it was in fact but mere
e cookie shell, and would have been of little
use. The captain distributed the remain,
f der of the crew between the two boats, SC
4 that the long-boat carried fifteen in all
J, and the other seven Myself and thC
captain we're the last who left the vessel
o Notwithstanding the terrible anxiety o
= the moment, l could not help plying tina
}, miserable man, as he fingered and linger
d ed on board, and seemed to be inventin,
r one excuse after another for delaying th'
i final abandonment of his ship. The mat
o in the long-boat called to him severa
n times, but he seemed as though he did no
!, hear, and continued pottcring about amoni
: the rejected articles with which the dec
was strewed, as if in search OF something
n though he knew not what. Moro thai
d once he sat down on coil of rope, an
= buried his face in his hands, until begal
> to doubt whether he would quit the vesss
h, at all, and had not made up his mind :
r remain and share the miserable fate of tn