Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-03-02

achieved such wonders, in cutting their
way out, with a single and small blunted
hatchet, is wondeful beyond parallel
They were greatly exhausted but the
fresh air revived them, and they eagerly
swept the horizon to see If any vessel was
in sight to give them hope of speedy sue
cor but they saw nothing save the wide
expanse Of rolling watres. They were
disappointed, and for the time dishearten-
ed; but the Captain, feeling that every
thing depended on some immediate prep
ara'ion for the approaching night, encour-
aged the men to aid him in erecting sup
port on the outside Of the wreck, and get
ting some scantliug from the hold rs it
foated under the aperture through which
taey came out, they began the work.
The reader will recollect that the "Enig
ma" was d. s,ribed as schooner built to
run in shollow waters, but with a center
board dropping below her keel, which
made her tolerable sea-going craft
When she was capsized this center board
made of four inch plank, fell back into its
place, in the hold Of the schooner, 80 that
there were left places at each end of the
board, about four inches square. into which
joist or scant!ings could be thrus, down so
as to stand firmly. This popularity in the
construction of the " Enigma" enabled the
Captain TO erect two standards, and with
this rope, taken out for the emergency, he
lashed a cross-piece from one to the other,
and then fastened their ropes overhead,
instead of, as at first. in the vessel,
The reader may imagine that this was
quickly and easily done; but never was
there greater error. II was their most
difficult work, as frequently the sea swept
over the wreck, and would hare carried
them away but for the ropes, upon which
they held as they saw the heavy seas COM
ing. They were so much exhausted when
thus much was done they were obliged to
suspend further labor, and holding by the
rope attached to the cross-piece, which
rope was also fastened around them, they
leaned against the uprights and thus spent
the night. They could not lie down with
out being submerged in the waves that
were frequently dashing over the bottom.
and as 1t was, sometimes drowning as they
stood there, their feet would be taken from
under them, and they were only saved by
The rope.
The next morning found these four men
in most terrible condition. Hunger was
! making its ferces: demands. and their
thirst made them almost frantic. One
thing not mentioned thus far in this story.
must here receive attention, and that is the
TACT that the captain had with him in this;
voyage = favoriie dog. He had passed
through with she struggle in the cabin and
IN the hold of the schooner, and escaping
with many hard bruises and almos, drown
ed, he was there on the outside with lis
master.
The men demanded his blood for drink.
and his flesh for food. The captain was
willing that his dog should die, for their
good, but he feared to have the men drink
his blood lest bad results should be real
lied but his words, TO which, up to that
time, they had listened as to an oracle Of
wisdom, could not dissuade them from
their purpose, they caught his blood in a
salt box, which was fshed up from TIE
schooner, and they drank ii as if it had
been milk. Anderson, who drank more
than the others, was soon taken insane
and they were obliged TO lash him to one
of the uprights. The others were badly
affected by the blood, and when after
Ter hours they we're so recovered as to nm I
derstand what the blood had done to them
and to realize the condition in which the
dog was when killed, they agreed that his
body should not be eaten, and they threw
it overheard. s
1t was an act Of self-denial worthy of
record, and speaks volumes in the favor ,e
the men, who having tasted no food f.;
three days, during which time they baa
passed through sc ,,e sr uf0s 'r--s
trial, hardship and soii-tus ogla 81.
away the flesh whic aeg longs3 tc Ee
from the bones of f dog i il n.el
injure them.
That day they nsasge1 TO a so.l
short pieces of scar,lte, al rjgh ~
with the uprights, ing ns IN
top of the uprights, an and ID 'a' en
of those pieces, thu sppcgpug artr
ly, and on these ,te 9ya
long scanting, lash ibea risa raq thes
formed platform va is aboya ne pot
tom of the schoone o. 3ich faas eeasa
lie or sit, for the u ihH tiola o
the sea. Here the s-sie aaa- as
themselves on, thu lay ea sone 5.
All did not sleep a ba sane ar f
they kept cons watch -