The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-12-25
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
THE scHO2LrELLowS.
BIT JoHS MAcKAY WILSON.

(COkTlhURD.l
I 1t was with heavy hearts the men set t
work to clear away the wreck; the cries o
their poor shipmates were still ringing il
4 their ears, and an hour o. two elapsed be
\ fore it was accomplished. All night Ion:
i We were hard at work, furling sails, anC
sending down yards and masts; and whel
the morning appeared, the ship was hove to
with her head to the south-eastward, unde
a storm-stay sail. The decks were lumber
J ed W.th wet sails, the main and mizen-top
gallant mast and yards, and the remnant.
Of canvas and rigging saved from the wreck
Of the topmast.
$ We spliced the mainbrace, or as you
, would say, served out drains; and the helm
being lashcd alec, the ships company were
sent below, to obtain the rest they stood SC
: much in need Of. Poor fellows they were
! not allowed to enjoy it long.
Where is the captain?" said the carpcn-
: ter, running up the quarter hatch, with a
face like a ghost where is the captain?''
"Well, Soundings," said Captain Fleet
wood, what do you want with me!''
: 'It's just about the sOundings, sir,
want to speak to you" Then drawing
{ close to his side, he muttered, There are
four feet water in the well, sr.'
: The captain started, but recovered himself
Immediately.
'Eery well. Rig the pumps directly.
Mr. Musgrave, call the hands out; the ship
has taken little too much water in, over
. all. Heaven grant its nothing worse, .mur-
: INJURED he
The scene around US was now dreary and
desolate in the extreme: the sky was dark,
t gloomy, and threatening; light, angry-look-
ing, discolored clouds fitted over it, like
spirits disturbed, while overhead the scud
careered, with lightning-like rapidity; the
sea was covered, as far as the eve could
reach, with white foam, and the spray was
blown over the ship in a constant heavy
shower; the little 'Mother Carey's chick
ems" were dipping their tiny wings in the
waves under our stern, and the stormy Pc
trel and albatross swept in wide circles
; round cur storm tossed vessel.
The gale howled mournfully through our
rigging, and every now and then giant sea
dashed against our side, and threw torrents
Of water over our decks
The matches were battened down fore and
aft, and monotonous clanking of the pumps
was heard, mingled with the loud cheers Of
the men, as they spirited each other up to
renewed exertions, and the loud spell oh!'
when the different gangs relieved each other
at the pump-brakes
The whole Of that day was one Of inces-
SAINT labor, for, when after some hours Of
hard work, we had gained considerably up
on the water, and relaxed little from our
exertions, we found that renewed efforts
/ were required TO keep the enemy at bay.
Next morning the wind bad materially de-
creased. and was gradually dying away, but
high sea was still running, and the shiE
labored tremendously.
More sail was made to steady her, but
in spite Of all our efforts, the leak increased
0 and at last it became evident, after every
Q thing had been done that seamanship could
, propose, or perseverance carry into effect
I that the ship was in a laundering state
I, The captain, who had shown himself active
and energetic during the excitement Of tlC
storm, now proves that he possessed that
true courage which can face unflinchingy
the slow but sure approach Of danger and
y of death. Calm and collected, nay even
y cheerful, at least in appearance, his example
encouraged AMI animated the crew, now al
most exhausted with their constant exertlOns
# He ordered one watch below to their ham
$ mocks, while the other was busted in fitting
K out the boats, and preparing provisions t
put into them, and in keeping the pump:
| steadily but slowly at work. At last the
hands weR called out-"0ut boats :" anc
when they were all assembled the captain
addressed them as follows:
"My lads, the ship is sinking under US
and we mus take to the boats! You have
been active, patient and obedient hitherto
so still, and you may yet all be saved
Remember that as long as one of your oth
. GERS is above the water with you, to tha
officer you owe obedience For my part,
am determined-and you know | am NJ
!. fiincher-to maintain my authority with N.
life, but ! hope you will not put me to th'
: proof
"My intention is to steer for the Islant
n Of Tristan d Acunha, which, if Providenc
favors US, we may reach in week or tel
days; but much depends upon your own ex
ertions. Now 20 below, and take the las
meal you will ever eat on board your ok
ship. Heaven grant that We may all NEE
once more on shore "
''We'l stand by you till the last, sir.
IL "Ay, aye, that we will, was resPonde
by all.
The captain took of his hat. and lowed
I'd evidently much affected, ard tnen dismlsse
\, them.
" In about twenty minutes they were agal
ne ne called up, and the boats were holsted out
Or We had two quarter-boats, launch, and
ill iolly-boat, which were amply sufficient I
hold our whole number reduced as 1t wa
o by the loss of the five poor fellows in th
gale. One of the quarter-boats, however
proved 50 leaky on being lowered into th
water, that we were obliged to abandon hel
The other boats were furnished with mast.
sails, fortnight's provision, water, arms
everything that could be thought of as like
y. ly to be necessary.