The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1871-09-15
Perils by Land and by Sea.


A correspondent of the Times of
L1ectta gives the thefollOwing account
of a remarkable escape:
'ADEN, June 1l.-One of the most
remarkable escapes from the perils
attendent upon disabled steamer at
sea, and the wonderful good fortune
which brought safely through dan
gerOus country a party of volunteers
from the ship, herewith send you.
The steamer Vixen, Capt Milne,
from Calcutta for London, encoun-
tered bad weather, and shortly before
reaching Alden she ran out of Goals.
and everything available on board
was burnt. She then drifted down
on the Arabian coast, some one hun
dred and fifty miles from Alden.
After anchOriDg, the Captain and
surgeon, MIR. j, w. Matthews, went
on shore to sec if wood was procur-
able, but none was to be had. The
doctor and second steward, with two
LasCar boatmen, now volunteered to
proceed to Alden through the Somali,
aud other tribes On the coast, which
was consented to by the captain.
Starting on the afternoon of the
7th Of June, they walked all night to
avoid what rascals might be on the
way, while some friendly Arabs ac-
complained them, and made detour
to obtain camels of q sultan named
Hyder. On reaching him they were
most Hospitality received, great state
even was observed and salutes fired (!
The sultan kindly congratulated
them on their getting safely through
some hostile tribes. and he offered
them q boat to Alden but the wealth
er being unpromising, this offer was
declined. The Journey was now re
commenced, partly on foot and part
ly on camels when prOcurable. The
tribes through which the adventur-
crs passed were in such a state of
poverty and wretcheduess that no
provisions could be obtained so the
poor fellows suffered very much in
| consequence, and their sufFerings
were aggravated from want of water
also; the intense heat, too, nearly
overcame them. However, with
much pluck. though driven almost
to desperation they persevered, and,
without any rest or food for twenty
four hours, they reached Alden on
| Sunday the I1th. The surprise that
awaited them here is hardly to be
described, for the Vixen was living
in Alden harbOr, and all belonging
to her safe! She had got some Goals
from Il bungalow procured at Alden
| by the chief officer, who, some days
| previously, had sailed from his
ship in an open boat for the purpose
of getting assistance.
"When the weary and foot-sore
/ travellers arrived at Alden, and the
community had become aware of
/ their dangerous trip, they manifested
the greatest delight, AM numerous
/ were the congratulations bestowed.
Had bad weather come on ut any
| period from the steamer breaking
down, while she was at anchor, or
/ when the small boat was OH its way
| to Alden, different tale might have
| had to be told. As it turned out, IL
/ was remarkable escape from dan
! gers which were sufficiently threaten
ing to make all on board ever re-
memberth cir visit to the coast of
! Africa and ali that followed.
! 81 am not verscd In diplomatic
/ matters. but il is in INV mind that.
/ seeing how generously and royalty
| Sultan Hyder treated the poor way-
/ farers on their land journey, ought
not some special mission to be sent
To has exeeilenicy, direct from the
i1}rilsh goyefhBeht, with a suitable
acklfo4Y bed cement and something
/ more substantial besides? think so.
I On the way the members of the mis-
sion might give the people and tribes
TO understand that If they protected
white men (aud the black men, toe,
for that natter) cast on their mercy
for food and guidance, they would
/ be repaid and rewarded.