The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-15
A STORY OF DISCRETION.

Among the artillerymen belonging TO
the garrison of st. Helena in l779 were
John Browne and William McKinnon.
These two men were fast friends and
inseparable companions; but while the
Englishman was content to take things
as they came, and make the best of his
lot, the Scotchman was perpetually
harping upon the hardship OF being
cooped up in dull place like st. Helena.
At last he ventured to propose that they
should desert their colors; in vain his
friend pointed out the unlikelihood of
eftecting their escape, and dwelt upon
the penalty awaiting failure. McKin.
mons home fever was too strong upon
him for arguments to avail, and. the
discussion eventually ended in Brownies
adhesion.
Carefully sounding such of their com.
rades IS they could trust, the two would
be deserters succeeded in prevailing
upon Samuel McQuin, Charles Brig
house, Terence Conway and William
Parr to take part in the desperate adj
venture, and hold themselves ready to
seize the first opportunity of getting
away from the island. The opportunity
soon came. The Columbia, an American
vessel, arrived in the bay, and PARIS
persuasive tongue induced the captain
TO promise whatever assistance he could
tender. Accordingly, when the six adj.
venturers met at the West Rock upon
rhe evening of the Sth of June, they
found boat waiting for them. As soon
as they got on board uniforms were
dotted in exchange for seamen's clothes.
Then, when night came, so that sus-
picion might be diverted from the
Columbia, they ventured into the har-
bOur and cut out a whale-boat, in which
latter taking in quadrant and sextant,
and some bread and water from the
American, they stood out to sea, to lie
off the island at a safe distance, until
their friend should pick them up. They
were, however, disappointed in their
expectations for some reason or an
other, the Columbia never came near
and by noon on the second day it was
apparent to all that they must rely
upon their own strength of arm and
stoutness Of heart to carry them to a
haven Of safety.
Parr was the only one in the boat
with any pretensions TO seamanship
He proposed to bear away for Ascension
Island, which, though uninhabted and
barren, was often visited by East India
men for the sake of is turtle. Disguised
as they were, the deserters thought they
might easily pass themselves Off fol
shipwrecked sailors, and have little
difficulty in obtaining passage in some
homeward. bound ship. They were but
i'll prepared for a six hundred mile
Journey across the ocean; the boat
leaked, so as TO require constant bail
ing, and their provisions, all told, con
sisted of twenty-five pounds of breac
and thirteen gallons of fresh water. Nc
one. however, cared TO suggest a return
to st. Helena, so, making a sail of theiI
handkerchiefs, they started on theii
perilous way, their frail craft speeding
rapidly before northwest gale.
On the morning of the 18th OF June
several fights of birds were seen, bu
eyes were vainly strained 10 catch I
sight of land. Parr announced M
opinion that that they had passed
Ascension Island shirts were pressed
into service to form sprit-sail, and tn
course was altered in the hope OF max
ing Rio Janeiro. By this time thei
slender store of provisions had sadl.
diminished, and they resolved to imi
themselves TO an ounce OF bread AM
two mouthfuls of water per day for eacl
man. Day by day their strength sank
and their spirits with it Mckinnol