Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-02-12

lucy SuDSl6teU eHtlTely upon tue TatOnS Dealt
out to them, and about these and q small
stock Of tobacco which seemed to be common
property, they were quarrelIing day and
night.-So0n after sundOwn the captain sent
them all below, and shut down the grated
covering Of the hatch.way; but I noticed that
he took continual care to ventilate their quar-.
ters, for he was afraid, as he told me, lest
some virulent disease should break out among
such dirty set, and we without doctor on
board.
"Our crew consisted Of eight men besides
the mate and three boys; there were no cabin
passengers, nor was there any accommodation
for any, the Camden carrying Q good deal Of
merchandise, principally Of rough Birming.
ham goods, such as are in use and demand
among settlers and colonsts. Twas no sailor
as said before, and i'll qualified to Judge Of
sea matters; yet could not help thinking we
made but slow progress, compared with other
vessels. We were in the track of ships bound
for New York, and had noticed that one or
two which hove in sighti in our rear had over
taken and passed us in the course of day
When / mentioned this to the mate, he said
those vessels were liners, built for sailing, and
not for trade, like the Camdcn-we were doing
we'll enough.
"From the position Of our cabin, could
hear as lay in my berth at night, not only
every movement of the crew, but also, when
the weather was not rough-and it was mostly
tlnc-every word that was said. To this cir.
cumstance owe it that am now living
man, and that and mine are not lying faith
Oms deep in the dcvouring sea. One night,
as lay awake listening to the lap, lap of the
water against the side, the voices Of the cap.
tain and mate conversing in an undertOnc
drew my attention. Some words that passed
between them aroused my fears; / sprang out
of bed, and stealing to the door, overheard
enough of tho parley to make my blood run
cold. ! gathered that the vessel was leaking
at oil points through the strain Of the cargo
that in spite Of pumping to the utmost, the
water gained upon them, and that it was the
mates opinion she would founder, do what
they might, within twenty -four hours. The
crew, Of course, were not ignorant of their
condition, and they would mutiny and seize
the boats and abandon the ship unless relicv-
cd by some vessel in the course Of the follow.
ing day. The captain was plainly at Lis wits
end, and knew not how to act 10 make the
passengers aware of their position would he
certain destruction to all on board, as nothing
could bc expected but desperate fight for
life, in which the boats. hardly capable Of con-
taining two dozen people, would to certainty
be all swampcd. a groan from the captain
was the last sound heard, as they turned
away from the spot, still convcrSing together.
"YOu may suppose the trouble Of my mind
at this fearful discovery. thank goodness it
was not allowed to unscttlc my wits, and so
prevent me from doing what was best to be
done. l thought it right not to oppress my
wife and family with this bitter knowledge
so long as it could be avoided; and as lay
| 49, - Al. 7
cd to Heaven for guidance, and turned over in
my mind everything that it was possible to
do. came at iaSt-to the only conclusion
which seemed to promise US chance of life
and what that was will appear before long.
could not sleep, and yet towards morning
fell into a dozc, from which was reused by a
frightfu dream of wild storm, and all my
little ones swallowed up in the vortex Of the
sea, and none to save them.
- Next day went on deck, and cndcavorcd
to behave as though ignorant of every thing;
it was hard task, for was never used to de-
ceit l watched narrowly everything that
took place, and knowing what did, saw but
too plainly confirmation of what | had heard
in the anxious. doggcd looks of the crew.
heard the noise Of the pumps going continu-
ally, though | could not sec them. About
nine O'Clock it came on to Tain, and rained the
whole Of the day SO hard, that few of the cmi-
grants came on deck, and those only for
short time. The rain was accompanied by a
thick mist, which bounded our view to miles
circuit at most, had noticed that signal
fluttcrcd on the mast, which had no doubt
was distress signal but what chance was
there Of its being seen in thick rain-mist
There was a brass gun on deck, and about
noon the captain gave orders to have it scaled
and cleared up by one of the boys. 1t was
fired several times, and the report brought up
lot Of the idle fellows, who clamored for
more discharges, which the captain, as il to
crafty them, allowed. / knew well enough
that these also were signals Of distress but
they were not heard, and the day passed away,
and nothing hove in sight.
"About half.an hour before sunset the mist
blew of, the clouds dispersed, and the whole
sea view was again clear 20 the horizon on all
sides. l watched the faces of the crew as
they looked 0nxiously round; tho mate him
self ran to the masthead with telescope, and
remained there till the sun had sunk, and only
long streak of yellow light shonc in that d.
rection. Tho fine evening had brought all
the passengers on deck, and they were inUln-
ed to dance and be merry. Allmy little ones,
too, ran out into the sunshine, and gambOled
playfully among the cordage. It 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 solemn
ly in the face, said:
Betsy, my loving wife, can you, for the
dear children's sake, banish all a woman s fear
and weaknesses, and be firm to act as shall
bid your"
1t was not so much the words rs the tone or
my voice which made her shrink back, and in
a manner gasp for breath; but she recovered
herself with great effort.
"JOhn," she replied, II knew it; have
known all day that there was something dread
ful on your mind. Let me share it; have a
right to share it; with Gods help / can and
will bear it-indecd, indeed, you shall not
have to reproach me with weakness"
1t is well" said; remember what you
have promised, and that the lives of all you
love may depend upon your keeping your
word ?"
81 then told her the dreadful tidings, and
how the knowledge come into my possession.
She heard the whole with more f0rtitude than
| had expected; but she turned stonc.cOlor at
my words, and from the calmness with which
she spoke afterwards you might have thought