, 1861-08-08
A Man Overheard.

Erontino, bound from the Cape Of Good Hope
to Boston, was running down the trades" with
studdingsails on both sides, allow and aloft and
royal sky-sails set. The breeze was steady with
smooth sea: For more than week not
brace or clueline had been started. This "run.
ming down the southeast trades" is the poetry of
navigation.
The larboard watch was on deck; and clus-
tered together on the forecastle, the Sailors 50
cial, careless, happy set Of fellows, were busily
engaged In conversation, to pass the time, and
drive dull care away. After discussing several
important subjects with degree Of skill and
profundty which reflected credit on their good
sense and intelligence, they entered upon the
interesting subject Of the "ha:r breadth escapes"
they had experienced.
Several cases Of q thrilling character were
given. such a are not unireouent in the life Of
sailor. when Colin Hartshorn, q bright-eyed,
good.ookinU, middle.aged man, with iron mus
cles and hurculean frame, addressing one Of
his watchmates rather abruptly, said, slack
Randle. did Won ever fall overheard at seaf"
"Neyer. shipmate," )" replied Jack Randle; al
never met with such bad luck. was jcrked off
the foretopsal yard one dark night, while reefing
the topsails. on boaId the brig SuEev Thompson,
IN the Raw Of Biscay. bound to BoTdeaux-and
while another Of nv sbipmates. poor fellow.
who was on the lee ward arm. was tossed into
the water. five fathoms from the ships side, and
was never heard Of Afterwards, was safely
landed in the iore.top, with only q sprained
wrist and bruised fieure.head."
GWhen was in the ship Fatima, bound to
Iverpool. living TO under bare poles off the Isle
AZ Sable " said tough old Briton. eve shipped
a sea which swept the decks. and washed over
board the second mate and the whole watch,
who were ali drowned exccpt myself: and /
was only saved by being entangled In the fore
sheet, which nearly twisted of my larboard fin
before got on board. And, shipmates, i was
sad and solemn sight to see them poor fellows
in the ships wake, broad OF on the weather
quarter, before they went down, rising to the
top Of the waves, and s retching tut their arms
towards the ship, imploring for aid which could
not be given"
SAY, such things are sad to witness" said
Jack Randle. But s'pose they are al right.
A man what goes 10 sea, must expect 70 meet
rubbers now and then--lor, otherwise, dye see,
should be thankful for our lot, such as Il is.
We have no right 10 grumble at hard chance"
al say, Colin, !" inquired one Of the men, who
was carelessly leaning against the windlass bits,
"did you ever lall overboard"
"Once, and only once" replied Colin Harts-
horn, "but didn't take Il so kindly as Jack
Randle Is disposed to; and while was in the
w." s.;S %'T .,aJ ~ I,,,s - nv Ssrd ,sl
"Th.s,s t',s n..r.s, - s,rrcss . s.;d ola
I..L go. ~ m ~. co,;r M ,s,i ne III
49,, i, Nv. 4 h,nrsr.S Give ne sIi ths nsr.
ticuIars old fellow as the sad looking man IN the
NAV eaid % the ghost on the castle Wall.n
Thus erayely adinred. Colin Hartshorn ac-
ceded to The wishes Of his watchmates, and spun
the following yarn, illustrative Of the singular in
cidents which checouer the life Of q sailor:
q Aho,, s;,h, v.srs .oo 7 x.. a sa;lo, hs.
eors N" r".st ~ bosrd sSs h,;s Croeoi;ie Csr.
.s;r Rcr,nsv. hound from Nee Yorl N 2;hrsi.
,sr srd ! rasrIss The cro,ad;Ie was = ana
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