The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-01

seryable in those affected with insanity.
He walked the cabin and decks with his
hands behind him, and at intervals NUT
tered to himself and laughed. 1t was a
fact that he was insane. The malady had
been slowly creeping upon him for some
time; and now every hour was making
it more decided and uncomfortable. For
ten days the ship had been navigated by a
madman.
One afternoon the weather looked very
| threatening. 1t was evident there was to
be atsevere gale. Still the captain made
no preparations for it. In fact, he crowd
ed more sail us the day advanced. Stand
| ing ON the deck, he shouted, 8. You sea
dogs, put on every rag. Winds, blow
blow-blow! We are going no faster than
New York lighter. Look alive, men.
| Ha, ha, ha! Now she jumps. Blow, ye
| winds-blow~-blowi
The sail WIS put on. 1t was the order
OF the commander, and to refuse might be
death. The ship rushed onward, with her
hull shivering to the very keel, and her
masts threatening to snap asunder.
Ha, ha, hai ~ laughed the captain, as he
lashed himself to the rail, for there was
danger of his being washed overheard.
"Captain Benson" said the first mate,
coming up with serious countenance,
: the wind is increasing, and we are going
to have heavy blow. 1t is the judgment
of all your officers that sail should be taken
in, and not made"
"Sir, said the captain, with wild glare,
II know my business and my duty; and
you are set of towards, and do not want
to do the ship or the owners justice. She
is no harbor fghter-no coaster, but an
ocean racer. Begone, sir, to your duty. |
shall not take in any sail. Ha, ha, ha!
Blow, We winds-blow-bl -blowl''
The mate turned away with sad heart.
He could not for moment doubt after
what he had. now heard that the captain
was out of his mind To every seaman
on board there was the greatest peril in
keeping on sail; and here was the captain,
an old navigator, who under the circum-
stances could not fail to understand the
position, refusing to take it in, and laugh
ing and talking like maniac.
A crisis was at hand. 0n-on flew the
ship. The clouds grew blacker and black
er-the sea looked wild and ugly. Down
went the ship into the vortex, and then
she rose, shaking the torrents of water
from her, to rush again on her desperate
way,
Alshort consultation of the officers was
held, the result of which was communi-
Gated to the crew, who received it with a
cheer. The first mate then gave an order,
which was reported, and in an instant the
crew set about taking in sail. As soon as
the captain saw it he began to gesticulate
fearfully, and cried out, $ Mutineersl vii
1ains! I'll hang every one of you Atyour
peril take in single sail Come down on
the deck, say!"
With wild screams and threats he hastily
loosened himself from the rail, and started
for the cabin. All knew that he was GO
ing to arm himself. Consequently two of
the mates intercepted and seized him. In
a moment more he was securely bound.
What little reason there was left, depart
ed forever from this moment. His wild
screams. oaths, threats and laughter were
heard above the roaring wind. He strug-
gled until completely exhausted, and then
lay with his glaring eyes wide open.
The ship was taken safely into port un-
der the command of the first mate. The
action taken with the captain was fully re-
cognized as proper and opportune for the
salvation of the ship and all on board.
Captain Benson was taken back on her re-
turn to New York in a most dangerous
condition of madness, and was consigned
ON her arrival to an asylum. He was con-
fined for some five years, when he died.
At his most lucid intervals he imagined
himself on his ship, carrying all sail; but
he was generally violent, and had to be
kept under severe restraint.