The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-09-26
A SWIM FOR LIFE.

"Glorious ! most glorious y exclaim-
ed Capt. Chawthewind, rubbing his
hands with delight, as he paced the
deck of the smart Indiaman Skinner of
the Seas with Col. Tyghtfytte Gin COM
mand of troops) "only let his breeze
hold on, and we shall get sight of the
Desertas before nightfall Mr. Work
emwell (chief officer, let them leave the
log, and see what she is going"
faye, aye, sir Heave the log, I"
shouts the mate.
You know" continues the captain,
sit will be most satisfactory to get a
sight of the land before dark. All |!
that's how one likes to see the line fly
out. What is she going ?"
"Twelve knots good, SIR"
"Twelve knots good - repeats the
captain. "Ah all ! hoorah for the
Desertas %
The Skinner of the Seas had thus
far made most favorable passage, and
left the fogs of old England far behind
We were now in most lonely climate,
and only nine days out. Troops and
passengers, quite recovered from sea.
sickness, had shaken down in their
places, and if appetite and good spirits
be criterion, then had reaction entire
ly set in.
The decks were alive with animated
nature cut off from the world, alone
on the ocean, the Skinner of the Seas
represented world in miniature. De-
tachments of troops to reinforce their
respective regiments in her Majesty's
Eastern Empire officers, military and
nIyfI frn,, f,,r1o,,c.I o.
Z" grass widows, happy in the idea of
soon rejoining their husbands larking
cadets, a batch of bright-eyed merry
girls, "going out on spec"-enough,
one would imagine, to make of India
itself Paradise merchants, planters
and others the busy crew of the ship ;
the lowing of COWS, bleating of sheep,
an incessant chorus from poultry of all
descriptions, every one busy about their
respective duties, or amusing themselves
in various ways. Capt. Chawthewind
was Scotchman by birth, and cousin to
all families of note in the country. He
was tall, bony man, with gray sandy
whiskers, small gray eyes, and red
nose ; and though by no means bad
hearted man, was exceedingly choleric.
He was described by the sailors as half
alligator, half-rattlesnake, with q strain
of hippopotamus sort of man. He had
been many years in command of an In
diaman, was noted for making quick
passages, and never spared sails or
sailors when there was chance of go
ing ahead, in which he was seconded by
Mr.. Workemwell.
The Skinner of the Seas had now a
,,..l,A L ! Il.
set on both sides allow and aloft even
the royal studding-sails and main sky
sail were still set, although expected
every moment TO be taken III, as it APP
peared something must give way, such
q tremendous press of canvas was she
now carrying in breeze SO strong,
making the spars and ropes sneeze and
crack as she dashed along; but all the
gear was of the first class, and the cap
tain not the man to spare her and as
the gallant vessel surged and rolled and
flew on her course, she appeared not
less anxious than her commander to get
a sight of the Desertas before nightfall.
There was pretty good sea on, which
broke fiercely but, as we were scud-
ding along before it, we felt little of it.
1t was the fashion with Capt. Chaw.
the-wind, as with some other men when
running before the wind, to have the
wind up in case of the ship broaching-
to from the negligence of the helmsman
or from other causes {; it is of course
becalmed by the other sails, and sweeps
over the iib-boom from side to side as
the ship rolls.
About p. M, seaman, by name
John Neville-a stout and powerful
west-countryman, twenty-three years of
age-was sent to secure some hanks
that were adrift on the flying jib. AS he
was passing out on the jibboom, the
ship gave rather heavy roll, and the
Jio by some means swept him over
board he was lightly clad, having on
only blue flannel shirt, with canvas
trowers.
The cry of "Man overheard !" was
echoed fore and aft dozen voices