Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-06-11

~ hope you always found me will
ing to do what's reasonable" Bruce
replied, changing color; "but if it''
all the same to you, sir, I'D rather W,
should both 60 down together"
The captain descended the stairs and
the mate followed him. Nobody in
the cabin They examined the state
rooms. Not soul to be found
"Well, Mr.. Bruce" said the captain
ibid not l tell you you had been
dreamingm
ats all very we'll to say so, sir
but if I didn't see the man writing on
your slate, may never see my home
and family again"
"Ah writing on the slate /! Then
it should be there still" And the
captain took it up.
The captain exclaimed, "Here's
something, sure enough Is that your
writing, Mr.. Bruce ?"
The mate took the slate, and there
in plain, legiblc characters, stood the
words, "Steer to the nor'west."
"Have you been triaing with me,
sir ?" added the captain, in a stern
manner. .r.r....
"On my word as man and sail
or, SIR replied Bruce, ~ know no
more of this matter than you do. 1
have told you the exact truth"
The captain sat down at his desk,
the slate before him, in deep thought.
At last, turning the slate over and
pushing it toward Bruce, he said,
"Writc down. Steer to the nor
west"
The mate complied, and the captain
after narrowly comparing the two
handwriting, said, "Mr. Bruce, 90
and tell the second mate to come
down here.n
He caiiit, and, at the request of the
captain he also wrote the samo words.
So did the steward. So, in succession
did every man of the crew who could
write at all. But not one of the vari-
Gus hands resembled, in any degree
the mysterious writing.
When the crew retired, the captain
sat in deep thought. "Could any one
have been slowed away ?" at last he
'aid. "The ship must be searched,
and If L don't find the fellow he must
be good hand at hide and seek.
Order up all hand"
Every nook and corner of the yes
'e), from stein to stern, was thoroughly
searched, and that with all the eager
hess Of excited curiosity--for the re-
bort had gone out that stranger had
'hown himself on board; but not
living soul beyond tho crew and the
,fficcrs was found.
Returning to the cabin, after their
ruthless search, "Mr. Brsce," said the
aptain, "what do you make of all
his ?n
"Can't tell, sir, I saw the man Write.
You see the writing. There must be
omething in it."
"Well, il would seem SO. We have
he wind free, and l have great mind
o keep her away and see what will |
ONE of it." |
"Surely I would sir, if 1 we're in
our place. It's only few hours lost
I the worst.
"Well. we'll see. Go on deck and
i've the course nor'west. And, Mr..
'ruce," he added, as the mate rose to
o, "have lookout aloft, and let it
e hand you can depend on"
His orders were obeyed. About 8
clock the lookout reported an ice
erg nearly ahead, and, shortly after,
hat he thought was q vessel of some
ind close TO it.
AS they approached, the captains
lass disclosed the fact that it was a
ismantlsd ship, apparently frozen to
le ice, and with good many human
'ings on board. Shortly after they
ove TO, and sent out the boats for the
lief Of the sufferers.
1t proved to be q vessel from Que
&c, bound to Liverpool, with passeu-
'rs on board. She had got eutan.
ed in the ice, and finally frozen fast,
ID had passed several weeks in n
ost critical condition. She was
owe, her decks swept, in fact mere
reck; all her provisions, and almost
! her water was gone. Her crew
ID passengers had lost all hopes Of
ing saved, and their gratitude for
e unexpected rescue was proportion
ly great II
-As cns Of tha men who hsd been