The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-04-09
NOBLE REVENGE.

NOBLE REVENGE.
The Mendip, Capt Frobisher, was
lying off Grsvesend, waiting for the
arrival from London of the principal
passenger, an attache of the British
Embassy at the Portuguese court.
Among the cargo we're several barrels
of gunpowder. While the ship waited
for this, parsonage, some of the cabin
passengers, among whom we're four
military officers, went on shore, and
remained there till the hour for sailing
was announced, which was done by the
captain in person. He entered the
hotel, and found the four officers en-
gagged in drinking and gambling. One
of them, Lieut. Brown, inAamed by his
losses and the wine he had swallowed,
called upon Frobisher. in bullying
tone TO take drink.
''Drink, my boy, till your brains are
on blaze ike mine"
81 have not come to drink; blazing
brain is not for one like me, upon whom
depends, under Gods providence, the
lives of so many. l have come to tell
you that in an hour We shall weigh
anchor"
aNOt drinkP' shrisked the wine
made madman. 'If you will not swal-
low the liquor, you shall take it some-
how" and lie flung the wine filled-glsss
at Frobisher, whom it happily missed.
"A challenge a challenged" shouted
1.-THE companions of Brown. ''Surely,
Captain Frobisher viii not tamely suf-
fer such an iusultT
"Nothing shall provoke me to fight
Lieuteusnt Brown" replied Frobishsr; !;
81 pity, and I pardon him"
The officers laughed loudly and
fscornfully.
an an hour, gentlemen, we sail, "
and the Captain withdrew.
The "Mendip" was icleaviDg her way
down the channel It was the hour Of
dinner, and Frobisher, in his capacity
of Captain, presided. The gambling
officers and their wives, by many in
situations, implied that Somebody"
was coward and poltEoon.
After dinner Was ended, and while
the passengers walked the quarter
deck, which the Captain was also
pacing, Lieut.. Brown and the attache,
with mock courage created by drink,
spoke loud, sneeriDg words against
Frobisher, to his face, and turned
|lapghingly to the others for approval
In an instant the strong arm of the
Captain laid q heavy hand on the
shoulder of Brown.
"Hark'ee; Lieut. Brown, am captain
of this ship, and if you persist any
longer in trying to upset my authority,
I shall place you in irons till wa reach
'Lisbon.S
The insolenee was never repeated.
"The "Mendip" was in the bay of
Biscay. A storm had been raging for
three days, during which the bravery
of the Captain had been exsrolled BY
every one on board but Lieut.. Brown
and the sttache,
The ships boats were swept away,
all but two, and these would barely
contain the passengers and crew, should
it be requisite to abandon the ship.
On the fourth day the alarm of fire was
raised. The hold was in flames. In
q few minutes more the flames would
reach the magazine. The time was
midnight. The Captain was on deck,
and gave his orders with calm self
composure.
dtower the boats. Let the women
and children go first; then every man
according to bis age"
"Ayl ayr replied his brave men. |
The wives Of the passengers, and the
children, were safely lowered into the
boats '','-
for as many as the boats have
room to spare," shouted FrobisbeT.
The attache sprsDg forward.-I
ssBackT7 shouted Frobis6sr, ''years be-
fore position; Lieut., Brown, it is your
turn FIRST. aela7 go
''Heaven bless you! we are friends
1t lAstp'
e FrObisheF shook him by the hand,
Sin the presence of death,
why's should we not be so9 have
never quaFreled with you"
The boats were full, almost too full |
preliminary explosion announced |
The coming cstastrophe.-"Cast of, |
and pull fOr, your lives" cried Frobisher
as he stood by the gangway.
owe must and shall save you" was
he cry that came back from the dark !
waves.
away away!' was the reply. |
Then came low, rumbliDg sound, |
hen a great flash and a clap like
thunder, and the splintered spars and
pasts Of the ship eMendip" we're float
ng on the waste Of waters. The brave
Captain was no more. |
The crews of the boats reached
and in safety.