The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-11-04
LOST OvERBOARD.
A REAL INCIDENT.

dnOO TOdTcO
down the scuttle. in the glad, impatient
tones of men eager to be relievcd-to ex-
change places with US who had slept away
the last four hours with that blissful GJafl-
don that characterizes seamen when off
duty. ''Let them look out that have the
watch !" is his motto.
A single tin hanging lamp, on short al
lowance of oil, swayed and fiickered, obe-
dient to the violent motion of the ship
Just enough light was afforded by il to
make ''darkness visible" in tie little, din
gy, triangular den called, by courlesy, the
fore clStLe -es
SLOWS the weather, boys?" was asked
by two or three sleepy voices
The gales breaking up now" was
answered, apparently from huge, shape
less bundle of pea-jackets, surrounded by
dripping ''souwester." sit comes in
squalls, with longer lulIs. But it's been
an ugly night"
1t had, indeed, and it was not over yet.
For it was only four o'cIock in the morn
ing, of an Antarctic winter, and wanted
three hours to daylight. The gale roared
down the scuttle as the slide was pushed
open, and the crest of a sea dashed its
salt spray into the little opening, rafting
down into our dormitery.
All above was cold, wet, dark and
cheerless. But out we must come, in re-
sponse to the call In my own case there
was special need of dispatch, for it was
my turnout trick at the wheel. What
seaman but can recall to mind dread of
the graveyard trick as ii is termed
the first two hours in the morning watch,
when it seems impossible to keep one
eyelids propped up, and the senses are off
wool>gathering at the first break in the
perpetual molten of the body!
struggled aft, feeling my way along
the slippery rail and deck, where the
young ice was making. 1t was not blow
ing very hard at the moment, for the great
est force of the gale was spent. But
there was tremendous sea running, such
as seems almost peculiar to the region of
Cape Horn, and the pitching and strain
ing of our stout ship, laden deeply with
copper, were frightful was sensible of
a sound of Stating canvass overheard, but
did not look up TO investigate the cause.
''Full and by were the simple words
of instruction which received and repeat
ed, as took the spokes of tie Wheel
There was really nothing to do but hold
it firmly, for the ship was lying to under
her storm staysails, with the lee clew of
the maintopsail 'goose-winged Setting
my head into my jacket collar till it was
almost merged in the line of my shoulders,
with only my eyes and nose visible to any
outsider. prepared 10 wear away two long
dismal hours of darkness on "Mount Mis-
eIy," ss we were accustomed to call the
poop, or raised quarterback.
| heard the mate mastering his watch,
and collecting them aft about the mains
mast, for their own safety from the comb.
ing seas, as well as to have them all under
his eye in case of emergency. / heard
him call the two youngsters, Charley and
Dan by name, and give them some order,
but | knew not what All this time 1
could see no one, as they were all below
my perch and hidden by the break of the
quarterback. Bot few minutes later l
heard voice high up aloft. l glanced
upward, but could distinguish nothing in
the intense darkness ] made out the
words, ''Go down and get gasket!' and
knew then that they must be securing
some sail that had partially worked adrift.
l did not envy them any pleasure which
they might find in doing it, as thought
of the pitchy darkness and the cold biting
blast, with the crust of ice making on the
rigging and sails. But then, it was all in
the regular course Of sailors duty, and
might have fallen to myself had not been
at the wheel. So l settled myself once
more into my jacket and relapsed into
half torpid state
A sound as of the fall of heavy body
on the water came up from close under
the lee>quarter "More black~fish breach
ing" said | to myself. for we had seen
them several times during the previous
day, very near the ship. / gave the SUBJ
ject no further thought did not even
look about me, knowing that l could see
nothing, dark as it was. l bad nearly
forgotten the circumstance, when ! heard
the words, stI1e isn't there!" in a voice
that seemed to quiver with astonishment
and fear, rather than with cold. Then
the mate calling "Charley!" and the name
taken and repeated by others, here and
there, away forward on the bow, aud
again coming near to me. A heavy foot
! step approached over the wet deck, and
the blaDched face of the officer appeared
al my side in-the glaring light of the bin
nacle- lamp. 4
M" said he. shave you seen
any thirg of the boy Charley %
''No, SIR" l answered eve seen no
one since relieved the wheel"
"Then the poor boy is lost !" He
| spoke, as it were, with a choking lump in
his throat / made no reply, and, clear
ing the impediment, he went on: II sent
him and Dan aloft to secure the mains
royal, as il had worked adrift and was
Stating out in the gale. Dan came down
| 20 yat q oaaLat and when he went nm