Ellsworth American., 1869-06-24

| ""~""y ho" WAS tIe business OF
us lonely castawavs. Our fate was
next to hopeless. As l before describ
ed. we had separated with view of
covering wider track Of observation,
In our efforts to steer southwark. All
three boats must be guided by the stars
1t night, and the sun by day-that is,
for the few, very few days life could
hold out. And we began our part Of
the programme, without much words
about 1t. There were six Of us besides
Jacob and myself, and we pulled all
thns day. and all the next night, bv
turns. 1t is no use describing our SEN
sations as they we're at first. All
through the darkness, which. a. YOU
know. is not darkne .. actually, we Ia
bored. When morning broke, what
every one expected. took place-not a
sail to be seen, only the horrible ice
bergs, and packs ridged about with
buckles" like rugged lines Of hills.
Hunger and cold-raw blubber for the
first. hard work for the last. And thus
the next day and night, and the next.
Then what little water we had, gave
out. Hunger kills by exhaustion. but
thirst drives men mad.
One OF our men went mad the day
after that. and, with horrid shrek.
plunged overheard. We tried 10 haul
him in, but could not. The same night
another died, quietly enough, for we
found him, as We thought, asleep.
Then it might have been day, or il
may have been two days after, there
was absolutely nothing LEFT to eat or
drink. and death seemed close upon us.
What followed is like dream have
visions to this day OF cleaning knife,
and rush of blood. and wild strug-
gle to tear each other like wild beasts,
and Of Jacob lying insensible at my
feet. And |, too, was soon like him.
Strangely enough, as it seemed to
me, revived, through not to full con-
sciousness. 1t was a. if had awaken
ed out OF dream. did not realize
my situation in the least. but sat
drowzily looking at Jacob, and, il
thought at all, wondered he should be
know not how long. nutterable con-
tent, as it we're. had stolen over my
whole being-that do know. And SO
the end came.
The end. but not as ! had expected
There rose up out of the horizon n sail
looked at it without even curiosity.
Tall masts crowded with canvas grew
into sight, but was past thinking that
there might be hope. The hull of
ship drew out Of the ofiing, but if it
were ship or iceberg, indifferent. The
ship came over the waves toward me,
lookout men aloft gazing, knew, at
my fraii tnb. but why they looked did
not even dream. They told me after
ward that laughed when they hailed
me. Perhaps did. l do not know.
So l was saved-I alone Of all the
P6Nys crew. Oh God Death had
been busy with US poor creatures.
When'l came 70 myself not until after
many hours, learned the fate Of all
There was a story Of a boat crushed to
atoms by "nip'-the meeting Of two
foes of ice-and one manglel body,
and that was all The other boat was
never heard of more Jacob lay at the
bottom OF the sea, as they told me. not
without tears, for sailors are tender
hearted as they are brave.
All this has been stated very briefly,
tor l don't like to dwell upon it over
much. ! pass over, too. INV slow re-
covery, and only pause To add. that if
ever men were angels of kindness. the
men who had saved me. were II hap
pened that their ship was full-it was
the second season OF her cruise-and
she was homcward bound for Nantuck-
ct. Her captain knew me, but him on
ly on board. And in the middle of
October we fetched the lights OF the
Shoals on the wav home
Home | shuddcred at the thought
and the task before me- The fatal
news that | brought would it
kill the poor women who should hear
it?
Well. We were signaled. and when
we ran up TO the wharf there was crowd
enough to meet us. be sure All nv
folks among the rest. The Captain
had heard all my story, and had con
suited with him as To how they were
to hear it too. As agreed upon. | was
helped ashore by him. and placed in
my mothers arms, he telling her that
l had come back sick-which | was.
and very weak-and must get home mt
once. When Lucy and her aunt and
Jacobs people pressed round us for
news of their loved ones, he hurried on
board, saying that | would tell them
all, and they had best go along with
me. And SO they did, in procession
of tenderness for me and Of cxpecta-
ton. Arrived indoors. was soon
lying upon a lounge. the centre OF
crowd of questioners.
Friends" said my mother. don't
all talk at once. My boys back. and
| am thankful. Lucy Hoskins has the
first right to make inquiries"
All of tremble. she asked me. .You
left father at sea with the Poliyf"
Il did. with the Polly"
And he was we'll, nv dear father
''He was-well."
Now my turn" interrupted Mrs.
Strong. My Jacob. was he we'll too:'
..He was
well, that's good tidings, Abner.
Captain Hoskins and my son and all
OF them we'll and hearty. That's good
The Lord be praised
''Amen. amenw returned many
voices. But even while they sounded
in my ears new expression dawned
upon Lucys face-a sort ofindefinable |
doubt or apprehension. ''Are you sure.
Abner," said she almost in q whisper,
"that they were indeed and in truth