The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-27
pailp argue.
right V1ltn > storm.


.. li,,la easier, for We Lad sent some
tons overheard; but the difference was very
Lght. and morning found as all numbed with
the oold, and helpless to degree. | caught
Mr. Vallsnce's eye, and signAlled to him that
we should go on again; but it required all
we could do TO get the men to work, one and
ell saying that 1t was useless, aud only fight
ing against our fate.
Seeing that fair words wouldn't do, got
the tackle ready myself, and then with the
mArllnspike In one hand, went up 10 the
first poor shivering fellow | came to, and
half-led, halt dragged him to his place MIR.
Valance followed suit with another; and
one way aud another we got them to work
again; and though not 80 quickly as We did
the day before, we sent over the side tons
and tons OF that solid iron-each pillar 90
being cut loose dsrting over the bnlwsrk
with a crash, and tearing no end OF the
plauking away, but easing the vessel SO
that now we could feel the difference ana
towards night, though the weather ives DAD
Is ever, began to feel that we might have
a chance; for the ship seemed to ride over
the waves more, instead oil diPplng under
them, and shuddering from stem to stern.
We d been fortunate, too In keeping the
water from getting into the hold and one
way and another, what with the feeling OF
duty done, aud the excitement, things did
not look so black as before when ell at
once great wave like green mountain OF
water leaped aboard over the poop, flooded
the deck, tore up the tsrpsulin and another
hatch, aud poured down INTO the hold, fol-
lowed by another and another; and az |
chung to one OF the masts, blinded and
shaking with the water, could feel that in
those two minutes all our two days work
had been undone.
"God help US ~ groaned, for l felt that
| had done wrong IN opening the matches !;
but there was no time for repiuing. Direct
ly the waves had passed on, rushing out at
the sides, where they had torn away the bDi-
wark, | ran to the mouth of the hold, for l
felt that Mr.. Valance and the poor fellow
with him must have been drowned.
/ shouted-onCe, twice, and then there
was groan when, seizing hold of the
tackle that we had used TO hoist 1.-THE pillars,
| was lowered down, and began to swim in
the rushing water that was surglng from
side to side, when | felt myself clutched by
a drowning man, and holding on TO him, We
were dragged up together.
But did not want the despsiring look
Mrs. Valance gave me to make me go
down again, and this time | was washed up
against something which l seized; but
there seemed no life in it when We were
hauled up, for the poor fellow did not move,
and it was pitiful to see the way in which
his poor wife chung TO him.
Another sea coming on board, it was all
we could do to keep from being swept of /;
and as the water seemed to lespand plunge
down the hatch with hollow roar a chill
came over me again, colder than that
brought on by the winter weather. l wss
so worn out that l could hardly stir but it
seemed that it did not move, no one else
would so shouting 20 one or two to help
me, | crAwled forward, and got the matches
on again, lust as another wsve washed over
us ; but before the next came, with my mar
linspike ! had contriyed TO nail down the
tsrpaulin once more, in the hope that,
though waterlogged, We might float little
longer.
/. seemed strange, but after little pro.
vision had been served round, began to
be hopeful once more, telling myself that,
after al, water " as not worse than iron and
that If We lived TO the next day, we might
get clear OF our new enemy without taking
of the matches,
We had hard work, though, with Mr.. V al.
lance, who lay for hours without seeming TO
show sign of life; but towards morning,
from the low sobbing murmur heard close
by me, and the gentle tones of d man 8
voice, knew that they must have brought
him round. \ GU see, was at the wheel
then, for it had come round to my turn, and
as soon as ! could get relieved, l went and
spoke TO them, and found him able TO SIT up.
As the day begun TO break, the wluu
seemed to lull little, and soon after little
more, and again g little more, till, with JOY
tul heart, / told ell about me that the worst
was over; and it was so, for the wind shifted
round to the south and west, and the sea
went down fast. Soon, too, the sun came
out; and getting q little sail on the ship, l
began to steer, as near as | could tell,
homewards, hoping before long to be able
20 make out our bearings, which did soon
after, and then got the passengers and crew
once more in regular spells at the pumps.
We wers terribly tull of water; and as the
shjp rolled the night before, 1t was some
thing awful to hear it rush from side to side
OF the hold, threatening every minute to
force mp the decks; but now keeping on {
regular drain, the souppers ran well, snC
hour by hour we rose higher and higher, snC
the ship, from sailing like tub, began tc
answer her helm easily, and to move through
the water.
1t was towards afternoon that, for the frs
time, l remem bsred the captain, Just, too
as he made his appearance on, deck, white
looking, aud i'll, but now very angry anC
important.
had Just sent some of the men aloft, ant
we were making more sail, when in a wa
that there was no need for, he ordered then
down, at the same time saying something
very unpleasant to me. Just then | SAY
MIR. Valance step forward to where tn
other passengers were collected, many 0
them being his own men; and then, after
few words, they ell came aft together 4
where the captain stood, and Mr.. Vsllsnc
acted, as spokesman.
Captain Johnson he said, 81 am speak
ing the wishes of the passengers of this shil
when | request you to 60 below to you
cabin, and stay thee until we rescbiport. n
Are you mad, sir ~ exclaimed the cap
tain.
mot more 80 than the rest of the passen
gers" said Mr.. Valance, who, one and all
agree with me that they have no confidence
in Won as captain; and that, moreover, the,
consider that by your conduct you hav
virtually resigned the command of the shil
into Mr.. Robinson's hands"
care you aware. Mr.. Passenger, that Mis-
ter Ro binson is one of the apprentices"
81 am aware, sir, that he has carried thi
vessel through O fearful storm, when he
appointed commander left those men ant
women in his charge to their fate, while he
like a coward, went below to drown out al
knowledge of the present with drink"
He rRved and stormed, and then oallet
upon tbs crew to help him; but Mr.. Val
lance told them that he would be answers
bic to the owners for their conduct, and no
a man stirred. / spoke to him till he turu
ed angry, and insisted upon nv keeping t.
the command, and backed mp at iaat b,
both passengers and crew, who laughed ,anc