The Shasta courier., 1869-01-09
Adventures of Mrs. Ann Frazer

Australia was not yet known to be a land
of gold, when, in May, 1885, Captain Frazer
sailed from Sydney in his brig, the Stirling
Castle, manned by crew of eighteen men
and two boys. The captains wife sailed
with him, as she generally did, although this
time far advanced in pregnancy. One night
they struck on coral reef during storm,
and thoughathe mast was cut away, all means
failed to get the brig off. After spending a
night on the rock, they took to the boats,
with what little they could carry, and set
out Tor some refuge from the dangers that
surrounded them. Amid the still stormy
weather, they kept on for four days, when,
Mrs. Frazer s term having arrived, she gave
birth to child, which Providence, however,
soon recalled from its troubles.
Morton Bay was the destination they had
In view, but the strength of the men soon be-
gan to fail, and, with great difficulty, they
atlast reached Great Bay. Here they hoped
to md some whites, but as the captain s boat
touched land, band of women rushed upon
the unfeebled crew, and bound them The
second mate, Baxter, attempted to resist, but
was killed.
When stripped and beaten, they were al
lowed to eat the refuse of their savage mis-
tress' meals, and were then driven inland
Mrs. Frazer alone was left on the shore, as
she seemed utterly exhausted and useless
Her husband, as he was driven off, en-.
couraged her, but her position was terrible
All night she lay on the sand, without food
and tuil of anxiety. The next dav she
crawled along, following the footprints, till
she fell into the hands Of another party Of
women. They at once forced her to yet wood
and tend the fire. Her white skin provoked
them, and they smeared ii with smoky gum
aad, with the same disgusting article, filled
her hair, and then stuck feathers in it.
Seeing her condition, one woman, who hac
two babes. gave her one to nurse but when
ever the child cried, poor Mrs. Frazer wa
cruelty beaten.
Meanwhile she was tortured with anxiety
seeing no signs of her husband or his men
At lsat her heart bounded she beheld hin
coming driven on, indeed, like beast O
burden. For moment, in a loving embrace
they forgot their misery; but scarcely ha
he begun to relate his sutferings, when
lance pierced his heart. He staggered an
fell. She drew out the lance, she threw hel
self on the body, she endeavored to stanc
the blood, but nature gave way she fell i
a swoon beside the dead body. When sh
recovered, pool of blood beside her alon
remained to tell the sad story; Captai
Frazer's body had then disappeared.
The mate endeavored to avenge his car
tain, but he was burned slowly at fir
which they forced Mrs. Frazer to build an
light.
A boy named James Mayor was then Kill
ed and devoured, and she shuddered as sh
beheld what must have been her husband
fate. Two sailors, to escape like fate. en-
deavored to escape by swimming; the wave
gave them, at last, an easier death.
] ia hope now arose. Among the crew wa
negro, devoted to the captain and his wife
HIS color was recommendation in the eve
OF tie natives, and he used the liberty f
steal and secrete canoe with little food
Promising his mistress to return with assis
tance and save her, he pushed off, trusting t.
his vigorous arm to reach white set lement
God blessed his devotion. After six weeks
voyage along the coast, stopping from time
to time he reached Morton Bay. and informed
the commander there of Mrs. Frazer's peril.
A volunteer party was at once formed, and
guided by convict who was used to the bush.
reached the spot. and rescued the few sur.
yivors of the Stirling Castle.
After being well attended. the poor lady
took passage for England, where subscrip.
ton was made for her relief, and with this
she Joined her two children at the Isle Of
Wight.