Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-05-27

swollen part, indentation remained
for some time. They learned, after
ward, that it was a disease known to
old whalers as the cobler."
On the 9Th of October ship was
seen. They were on an island at the
time which they called Rabbit Island,
as they found rabbits there. They
instantly multiplied their fire; and
four Of them gave chase IN d boat, but
without success. The ship passed,
and was not seen again. This had
the effect of depressing their spirits
considerably. The sufferers were pos
tive IN their declaration that the
smoke from their fires must have been
seen on the ship. So October and
November passed. They had an
agreeable variety in their food about
this time in the finding of some sea
fowls eggs; and they lighted on
rusty axe in the stump of an old tree.
directly IN front of one of their huts.
Then, beginning to be worn out with
hope deferred, they determined to
make an effort for their own deliver
ance. They fitted up one Of their
two boats decked her over with seal
skin, provisioned her with seals meat,
about thirty gallons of water in seals
outlets. the flesh Of three goats, and
about twenty dozen of cooked eggs.
On the 22d Of February, 1867, they
started, without compass or nautical
Instrument of any sort. They thought
shat, by steering east-north-east, they
would make New Zealand This
was an error: as the course should
have been north, or a little TO the
west of north At the time of the
start the wind was southwest, but on
the first night it shifted to the north
west. with rain, and blowing very
hard. Those who were left upon the
land were very hopeful of a successful
result to the venture of their com
rades; but some weeks passed. and
then they knew that in all likelihood
thew would never meet their comrades
again in this world. There is one
hope stiIl tbs boat may have made
Campbelrs Islands, which are about
800 miles east Of the Auchlands.
February passed, and March. In
the latter month they found a stave
on which was written in charcoal
:. Minerva men, l officer-Leith-
Nav 10th. l864-March 18th, 1865.
April and May slipped by; and the
men had almost given up hope; but
they gathered up great pile of wood,
ready to hight as a signal, in case a
shin was seen. In the month 0 June
they caught small Pig. They kept
her for three months, and then they
killed her. Then occurred an event
which occasioned much sadness On
the Sd of September old David Nc
LelLan died He had worked with
them and suffered with them. 1t was
ike losing the chief part Of their last
diving hope to lose him. 1t was like
q foreshadowing of what was coming
swiftly to themselves They had seen
other death beds, but death was never
so dreadful to them before. IS the
old man was passing away from this
earth. the earth which had been so
cruel and vet so kind : as the light of
life was fading out of his patient,
weary eyes, and as the dying breath
came slowly and titfully from his i'm
ploring mouth, there were tears and
sirhs from those around hIm-tears
and sighs for him who would never
again II this world look with ewes of
love upon his wife and bairn-tears
and sJghs Tor themselves, as if they
felt upou their own hearts theshad0w
Of the doom of their dying friend.
He was buried IN the sand-hil on En-
derby Island.
About this time they were we'll of
for food. They succeeded, By means
of an ingenious hook made out of a
half-inch bolt, in catching a number
Of pigs they found some Wild pota-
toes. They sent adrift the inflated
bladders of the pigs, attached to
which were slips of wood oa which
were written an account of their sad
condition, in the hope of some ship
picking them up. They also made
small boats of about three feet in
length. They attached to each heavy
piece of iron, so as TO turn the little
craft bv the stern, to keep her before
the wind. and cast them out upon the
waters. On the deck of each were
carved all the particulars of the wreck.
Nearly desPairing, and yet ellnglng
to the hope, growing fainter. day by
dav, Of being rescued, the little band
lived on, adopting every means wi-hIn
its power of assisting III It's own
preservation.
On the 18th day Of November. 1867,
more than eighteen months after the
wreck Of the General Grant. he man
on the lookout saw a sail. The signal
fires were lighted without delay, but
the smoke did not appear &c attract
notice. On the 2Ist the bFIE Amherst
was sighted, running from the south.
along the east course. The 5oat was
launched. was observed from the brig,
and the sufferers taken on beard. It
( is almost needless to say that they
were treated by Captain Gllroy and
F his officers and men with kindness and
consideration. The JOY OF the rescued
+ sufferers was great. . y oras. says
one, cannot express our feelings Of
jov for such q delIverance from hard
ship and prjvation, durlug period of
eighteen months They we-e taken
on TO Southland. New Zealand, where