Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-01

Captain Abel Nithers, was one of the
best ship masters that had ever handled
quadrant; perfect sailor; thoroughly
sersed IN navigation ard possessing
very clear, calm Judgment. And lac was
one OF the most humane commanders IN
cur mercantile Misunderstanding his men
like brothers, aud ever mindful of their
comfort and welfare. All this he was Abel
Withcrs; but sometimes he would put a
thief into his IN outh. TO steal himself away.
When overcome by liquor he was totally an
other being-reckiese and cross, and Who'll
ly unmindiul Of his conduct or it's conse-
quences. Tho owners knew that he made
free use Of liquor when on shore sometimes.
but fancied that he kept perfectly straight
when a sea. The fact was, neither his Of
ficsrs nor his mon would expose him, for
they loved him too we'll.
In '43 Withcrs had command Of the shin
wsterspout. She was noble craft, and
mad an oble crow. Several times during
the outward bound course the skipp., Al.
lowed himself to be overcome by his enc
my. Il seemed TO be sort Of disease with
him. For several weeks in succession he
would remain perfectly sober, sometimes
taking IN occasional glass of brandy and
water. and Others going . week without
tasting It. Ii by chance be got enough on
board TO feel II, he WAS sure TO get drunk ;
aud thea came . storm, for which he would
subsequently atone BY renewed kindness
and regret
Tho wa,esspout was bound for Smvrn.
Al noon on The twcnty third Of September
ws were In latitude thrty.6vc degrees and
6fsy minutes North. and longitude twenty
degrees and fcr'y-nine minutes East abou,
two hundred miles from Milo During tina,
afternoon and the following night there "a
but little wind
The ship lay upon her course, and sver-
aged about three knots On the next morn
Ing the breeze freshened biz and came out
from the eastward 30 we had to stand upon
saut bow line. and of the course at that,
~ noon the sun was 90 deeply becloulcd
fhat no observation could be obtained. and
The course vas calculated from dead reck-
on og. Towards the middle of the after.
noon the wind lulled while and then came
up fresh from the westward. Al the same
time Capt. Withers came on deck-sr,,l,
His face Vas flushed, his eve Wild and -.
ing, and his step unsteady. There VS.
peculiar compression OF the neither lin tho,
beiokcned the worst state Of mind A.
soon rs he saw that the wind had char.od
and that the ship had II almost dead ait. be
ordered all sail 10 be made; studding sails
on both sides. and the sky sails set. After
this the log was thrown, and she run off
eleven knots.
"Glorious." cried wishers, "we'l make
up for lost time. We have made Just wen .
~ miles since yesterday at this time"
Views made nearer eighty, air ~ said
the mate.
"whst? Do you dispute me, sir ," said
the captain in . rage. II tel. you we've
run iast twenty OF em'-just twenty, sir !
I've kept the reckoniug and know. Wen
have no mutiny here. il you please"
But, CaPtAia- lyIs0srs, have you no.
made q mistake =
the eternal heaven, sir, do you
meen % Question mr. authoritys Touch a
pleaser' '"' SUPP !" ="
Such was Abel wahers drnnl
and I'll sail vas kept on. a. s., 1eauy'
Sargent, the mate. asked IL "'H N';
shorten sail. The captain svore liz snoulo
nan. lie seemed to fancy tina, his I'm an.o
Wished 20 assume command, aud mn, ,'s'
ous Of the way. He said he'd shoe. ~.
nrst nan who dared 70 take in rag Of can.
vooo.
Bse Wllhsss was nes sasisf,sd with sh..
- weet belev and teok anothee elase Of