Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-12
NO. 19l.

Without replying to his remarks, Or
dered him to send our men to the ropes
for trimming sails, as now understood
why the bark had not closed US. Not one
OF her crew had sufficient strength to move,
with the exception of the skipper, and he
was too weak even to manage the helm,
having barely strength to make the signals
to us. AS he afterwards told me, he had
these ready bent on with weights, SO that
they would run themselves up.
Taking the helm, and directing Trimblc
to note the Melpomene's bearing, shaped
course for her. The haze had already
begun to form into dense fog; but, as
the frigate was in full view of us, had no
anxiety or fear that anything unusual
would occur.
| I have often thought since, that my
mind was distracted, ,Iand IFS power OF rea-
soning dulled, by the wretched misery
round me; but be this as it may, in ten
minutes from the time had first noticed
the misty appearance, found myself en-
veloped in a dense fog, or rather vapor
cloud, which hung round the bark and
brought on a feeling similar to what one
experiences in going into Turkish bath.
Our thermometer leaped up fifteen degs,
and our respiration was painfully affected,
though only tor time, as in Il few hours
the leeunE wore OH.
In the meantime, endeavored to COM
municate with the Melpomene by sys-
tenn of sound signals similar to those in
vented by Morse l first tried with Il fog
horn belonging to the bark, but as it had
not been taken care of could only get a
grunt out of it. l next experimental
with the barks bell, but it was a miserable
article-cracked and almost soundless.
All this time we could hear the frigate's
steam whistle, with which she was sig
mailing to us.-But we not only could not
return it, but had the further modification
of discovering by the sound Of the whistle
growing fainter, that she was leaving us.
Such being the state of affairs, pro-
ceeded to see how matters stood, in the
way of provisions, and on inquiry found
that there were thirty pounds OF biscuit
and two gallons of water in the gig, be-
yond what we had brought with US by
special design for the sufferers of the CO.
penhagen. Men-of-war boats, when at
sea, always carry II small supply OF pro-
visions, a bottle of lime juice, and little
rum; and as none of us had had our din
ers, there ROW seemed chance Oh otif
having but a poor one.
What do you think of this state OF
affairs ?" asked of Timbrel.
"My opinion" he answered, sis, that
this fog may last for the next twenty-four
hours, and during that time, We may lose
our ship; so l would husband such re-
sources as are left to us. But what on
earth are we to do with these unfortun-
ates ?n he inquired, with plying glance
at the famished crew of the Copenhagen.
Upon my word. l don't know. / Isup-
pose we must share our biscuit with them"
"Of course we must" replied Trimble.-
LUCKILY, have my cigar case. hope,
old fellow, you haven't forgotten yours?"
mot likely" said. You know /
never stir step without it."
now called Davis, and directed him to
put trusty hand in the gig and drop her
astern. at the same time telling him that
the Melpomenes must wait till evening for
our first meal.
"Well, SUR thinked thern wor sunl'at
wrong when ! left the trigate. wor on
the conn and seed the beromiter goin'
up very fast; so knowed some natral
feenominhon wor goin' to take place."
why did you not mention that before,
Davis p demanded
Because, sur, thought you'ud laugh
at me-"
"Well. it's pity you did not; it might
have saved us from being in this fix. But
Davis, we must take good care OF what
food we have left; the frigate has evident
ly parted from us, though have no doubt
she will be in sight when the weather
clears
As spoke, gun doomed through the
fog, but it was difficult to make out its
direction The bark had on board OF her
an old Danish brass six-pounder but not
thimbleful of powder; so here, again,
was prevented from exchanging commu-
ncations with the trigate.
Under these circumstances, feeling no
anxiety, and only that should the worst
come, we might experience the incon-
venience of empty stomachs for q. few
hours, determined to lay the bark 10 as
l felt certain that our captain would do the
same with the frigate, and that we should
find her at no great distance when the log
lifted
BY this time, it being four o'clock in the
afternoon, ordered my boats crew to
. . haul up the gig, and served out biscuit
, and half, with little rum and water to
each man, Trimble and myself taking part
, with them in their frugal repast.
We were not troubled by the merchant
seamen. as whatever medicine or stimu-
liant the doctor had given them had put
them into a sound sleep long before our
dinner hour, from which they did not
awake till late in the evening.
But, when they did, they were in most
ravenous state, loudly demanding food.
What was to do3 Give them our re-
manning biscuit? There was only a small
quantity, and what would it be amongst
thirty men-the number of the barks
crew? Only a luorsel to each.
[CoNcLUpEp IN To-MoRRow's PAPER.I