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


ready for tie children at moments notice.
gave her as much to do IS / could think Of,
to keep her mind from running on the horrors
Of our situation, which, as the crisis drew near
were hardly suppOrtable to myself
81 then went on deck, sent the girl in with
the children, and walked up and down with
my eyes wide open. observed that the long
boat, which the day before, had contained all
sorts of rubbish, had been cleared out, and
that some barrels and boxes had been slowed
under the thwarts, while two pair Of new oars
had been brought up from below. The two
smaller boats remained swinging in their pla-
ces, one over the side, the other at the stern.
ut must have been about an hour after
sunset when the captain began complaining
Of the filthy state Of the decks, and declaring
that he would have them swiled at once, or
dercd all passengers to their berths. There
was some dcmur among the rough Irish fel-
lows at this mandate, but he. quieted them BY
the promise of kettle of rum punch, which
he ordered the cook to prepare and servo out
to them. They were now oil obedience; were
soon in possession Of the grog, and VIC heard
them sing Justify in chorus while it lasted.
Meanwhile the pumps worked harder than
ever, and some show of swiling the deck was
made; but sat like cat on the watch, with
my gun loaded in my hand, knife in my
girdlc, and ready to act at the decisive mo-
ment. 1t was a 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 tho rest the ships
compass and chronomcters.
"Bcforc midnight the noise in the steeragc
had died away, and the whole Of the emf
1I.mkrf
mate came up on tip.toc down to our cabin
was awake. The breathing Of the children
deceived him, and he returned to the deck
where he Immediately signallcd 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 touch
ed the water the next minute and then the
long.boat was hauled towards the slings, and
when in the act Of being suspended, when
felt that the moment was come, and, rushing
out, presented myself to the astonished crew.
They paused in their work, and glancing
silently at one another, began to gather round
me.
"What is the matter, Singcr!" said the
captain, "yOu seem alarmed has anything
disturbed you?"
had taken my station against the bull
warks under the sings before ] replied.
~ am not man to be alarmed without n
reason" said. "YOu know whether speak
truth; when 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 usc captain" l replied,
"pray, understand at once that know every
thing. don't intend to go to tho 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 had bidden her. Refuse my
demand, went on, and VIC raise the pas.
scngers, and let them know the truth. Who
will escape then, You can tell better than J."
"Again the men looked at each other, and
though several Of them made as II they would
speak, each checked himself, and for minute,
not word was uttered. At last an old sea-
man stepped forward
Its no use talkin," and disputin' 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 have the provisions
behind, and trust to being picked up; that's
what it is, cap, accordin' to my 'pinion!"
the captains answer. "Be quick, boys; put
in the children, and lower away"
"Two or three barrels as many bags, and
a large hamper, were hastily removed from
the boat. My wife and children were put into
it as it hung over the side; two seamen fol-
lowed, and it was lowered into the water the
sea being fortunately calm. The boat at the
stern was not lowered ct all; it was in fact
but mere cOcklc.shelI, and would have been
of little use. The captain distributed the re-
mNinder of the crew between tho two boats,
so that the long-boat carried fifteen in all, and
the other seven. Myself and the captain were
the last who left the vessel. Notwithstanding
the terrible anxiety Of the moment, could
not help pitying that miserable man, as he
fingered and fingered on board, and seemed
to be invcnting one excuse after another for
delaying the abandonment of his ship. The
mate in the long-boat called to him several
times, but he seemed as though he did not
hear, and continued pottering about among
the rejected articles with which the deck was
strewcd, as if in search Of something, though
he knew not what. More than once he sat
down on coil Of rope, and buried his face in
his hands, until began to doubt whether he
would quit the vessel at all, and had not made
up his mind TO remain and share the misera-
bic fate Of the Cast-aways. But he, like my
self had wife and children dependent upon
him; the thought of them no doubt tugged
at his hcart-str;ngs, and urged him to self
preservation. The last thing he did was 10
60 and Withdraw the bolt which fastened down
the grating over tho steerage; and then sing.
ing to me to slip down the side, no said in
whisper: They are awake; heard them
talking. The Lord have mercy upon them
They will never see the day."
We were no sooner in the boat than the
men pushed off and moved rapidly away, as il
determined to get out Of sight and hearing Of
the miserable beings left all unconscious of
the fate that was fast approaching them. We
madO but little way however, because our
boat was too heavily loaded. The captain
gave orders to have certain things thrown
overheard, and some indispensable provisions
transferred 10 the other boat which was less
crowded. These things delayed us for some
time within stones throw Of the Camden,
from which could not withdraw my eyes for
a moment Tho moon shone so brightly that
every rope Of the doomed vessel was visible,
and all the familiar objects on the deck which
had been our home. Nearly ell the sails were
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