The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-11

Get up and see," was the short answer.
I felt intuitively what it was, and in great
fear got up and did as they desired, my
chief hope, that they did not intend to
murder me, or they would have done so
whilst I slept.
g Mr.. Taylor" 1 exclaimed-''w where is
he ?'
"Get up and you will see," was again
the answer.
As soon as I was dressed they pinioned
me and accompanied me on deck, where l
| found nearly the whole crew, with poor
Taylor, likewise pinioned, in their midst
| A long discussion then followed as to
what should be done with u.s. The Portu-
guese and Spaniard strongly advised to put
us out Of the way by throwing us over
board the rest, however, less hardened
demurred. At last it was determined we
should be turned adrift in the long boat, to
take our chance Of whatever befell u.s.
The boat accordingly was lowered a llcg
Of water, small bag Of bread (my God :.
how small it seemed to me. few pieces of
salt meat and a box of matches were thrown
into it. Our hands were then set free, and
Taylor begged to be let so below for a box
of cigars. They consented after some little
hesitation, and sent two of the crew to
watch and guard him. He soon came back
again with the cash-box under his arm.
felt afraid as they ordered him TO open it :;
In Il ,t,,1, i+.,ti,
ishment showed it to us all apparently full
of cigars he carelessly took a lot ont and
threw them among the sailors, telling them
there were plenty more below. We were
both then lowered into the boat, it was set
adrift, and we were quickly left, we two,
alone, i'll small open boat, in the middle
of the night, on the wide and trackless
sea.
AS the schooner, however, faded away
from our sight, its sails lighted up by the
MOON we began TO realize our position l
got up and shouted and screamcd-ravedt to
be taken on board again, but of course in
vain Slowly, very slowly for the wind
was light. it was withdrawn from us and
we were alone; and thus alone well. we
both knew we were far ont of the regular
track Of any vessel; that if we did not
sight land soon, cruising whale ship was
our Gully hope, and oh, what poor, faint
one was that. And if we did sight land
or succeed in reaching it, what fearful
place it might prove-the abode of savages
and cannbals-iiercc, bloodthirsty and
mcrciless savages.
That box of gold which Taylor, stunned
and bewildered, chung to so perseveringly
for well ! knew the trick he had deceived
them with, how | cursed it in my heart
and wished it at the bottom of the sea-
Oh, that long, weary night, how slowly its
live-long hours passed And day, when
day at length broke, how fcarfully did it
add to our despair, as it disclosed to our
eager gaze naught but 4 wide waste of
waters around us. How mockingly bright
rose the sun on our miseries. A single bis
cult, 4 small piece of raw meat and very
little water, constituted our breakfast; we
dared not take more, for God only knew
how soon, if ever, we should obtain more
when our scanty supply failed.
Who has not read accounts of other such
pliShts as were ours? Need | tell them
over again? the gradual but sure consump-
ton of our stock of food, the horrible, rag
ing thirst, the hot, burning sun, the blind
ing glare Of the hooking waters, the dying
nf ha in1 l,.,lr
forgetfulness of our case in dclirium, which
became stronger and more frequent, day
after day passing, and no land in sight
Surely need not other pens more able
than mine have done it E: and well know
cannot describe all the horrors of the few
days that passed. Twice I held back Tay-
lor from leaping overheard into the sea-
AT length memory left me. family re-
member taking one long, weary look over
the waters; i'll vain-naught anywhere but
water; then one more look at Taylor lying
at the bottom of the boat, muttering inco-
herently, and water, sun, boat, all passed
away from me like a sickcning dizzy dream,
and | neither knew or felt aught more of
munger ana tnlfSt.
A long sandy beach sloping gently down
to the sea, which broke in little ripples on
its shore. An overhanging rock covered
with bright lowered creepers, which threw
themselves from point to point of the rug
ged stone, and strove to hide its roughness
beneath mantle of fresh green leaves and
Cocoa-nut trees and wild palms and tall
feathery ferns were towering aloft on the
rock. A fire, and dark, tall, tattooed fig
ures grouped arolrnd-these were the first
sights that presented themselvts before my
seriousness. A woman was holding gourd
filled with water to my lips, and by her
motions urging me to drink. tried to
raise myself up, and fell backward again
after the vain attempt. A horrid fear pos
sessed me. Where was Taylor? Had
he fallen a sacrifice to the fearful inhabit-
ants of the place, and where they now eat
ing him, as | saw from the bones around
they had done with others?"
Again | tried to look, and fear gave me
strength. 1could not see any trace of him;
a basket of half-cooked flesh was near me
| shuddered and turned sick as | looked,
and in moment saw what it was-human
flesh thank God, however, the skin was
dark. The woman saw my repugnance
and adherence, and removed it out of
sight. Very slowly l regained my full con-
scousness, and Immediately knew where l
was-among cannibals.
In the sadness of my heart wished l
had persisted in the boat far better that
than the horrid fate | expected on Shore
The woman made several signs to the
men, which tried in vain to understand :;
at length she left me, but presently came
back with basket Of plantains and roast
vans. l tried to show her my thankful
ness, and readily ate as many as dared.
Where was Taylor, however? tried to
ask, using the Maori words had learned
some time before in New Zealand
.sTaku hoa, ka ora iaia ?''-My friend,