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

The helmsman, who happened to be
Nevilles own chum, and who had only
left him a few minutes before, immedi-
ately put the helm hard down, without
waiting for orders from the officer OF
the watch. Orders were at once given
TO let fly tacks, sheets, halliards ; IN
fact to let everything fly, to cut away
the life-buoy, to clear away the boat,
etc. All was confusion the ship was
already up in the wind. and soon came
aback. The row caused by the shaking
of the sails, the cracking of the booms
and masts, and the general smash aloft,
was something terrific.
The life-buoy that hung over the stern
was at once cut away (; 1T consisted OF
two small casks connected by bar OF
wood about four feet long, that passed
right through the center OF them 1T
had no protection from the sun, no one
knew it's age, it was regularly with the
ship. and looked all that could be de-
sired, but on striking the water one cask
collapsed without hesitation. The hoops
started on the other, and in less than
two minutes the life buoy had disap-
peared. Many other things that would
float were cast overheard, and party of
soldiers seized the spar on which the
carpenter was working and launched it
overheard. 1t would have been a god
send for poor Neville, who was long
distance of, but he saw naught of any of
the articles hove overheard.
The second officer, Mr.. Weldon, who
had kept his eye on Neville (who was
now at least a mile away sprang into
the cutter as she was being lowered, in
which he found the boatswain and six
seamen, and took command of the boat.
Capt. Chawthewind, who was below
at the time of the accident, hearing the
sails shaking, sprang upon deck, and
had taken in the situation at O glance
a severe looking man at all times, he
was now fearful to behold. His face
was pale Except the nose) with rage, he
flew at the chief officer and screamed,
How dare the helm be put down /; the
ship going before the wind with such a
press of canvas on herr" The mate said
the helm had been put down without or
ders from the officer of the watch. The
Captain in two strides faced the helms
man, a stalwart seaman, and shrieked,
"You wretch how dare you
put the helm down without orders
see what you have done p
BEG pardon, sir" replied the
sailor, ga dozen orders were given to
put the helm down, and l was certain /
heard yours above all the rest, sir. y
This caused the Captain to stamp, and
storm, and swear, and how it would
have eliminated it is impossible to say,
lint NJ hot ONT of Ia
the Captains hat off, and brought to his
notice that the Skinner of the Seas
was rapidly coming round on her heel,
the iib-sheet not being fast, and would
soon again be heading for the Desertas.
AS Neville got clear of the ship he was
seen by the ladies and others on the
poop swimming buoyantly, and as the
fierce crest of a wave caught him, and
he disappeared, there were several sup
pressed cries of anguish, followed by
EXPLANATIONS of Joy as he reappeared.
But he was evidently entangled in his
shirt, as he could be seen throwing his
arms about in a strange way, and the
most OF us thought it was all up with
him, but veritable cheer rang out when
he was seen Invested of his shirt, and
striking out bravely for the ship. Every
now and again he was seen to be over
whelmed by a sea, but as he constantly
reappeared, had given up swimming,
and was evidently outstanding his
strength by floating only, it was seen
Neville was at home in the water, knew
what he was about, and, provided no
shark interfered with him, great hopes
were entertained that he would be saved.
On casting an eye aloft, melancholy
sight met ones view. The wings Of the
Skinner of the Seas were horribly Grip
pied, the main top-topgallant mast, and
nearly all the studding-sail booms were
gone, and the main-topsail looked as
though it had been a target for the
Woolwich infant.
The sailors were already aloft clearing
away the wreck, and the troops, headed
by some sailors, made themselves, as
they are ever ready to do, most useful
III assisting on deck.
The fore and gallant sails had
been furled, and the mainsail hauled up,
etc., as useless when running before the
wind. The spanker was now hauled out,
and the ship hove TO, though still drift
ing fast to leeward Many an anxious
eye was on the boat as she progressed
on her voyage of mercy. The sailors
were seen bending to their oars, and as
she had to pull head to sea they had a
rough time of it. The boat, however,
was Il splendid one.
Neville could be seen every now and
then as he rose on the seas floating like
log. The boat nears him, and the
cheer that resounds fore and aft the ship
from those on the lookout made it
known to all on board that Neville was
at last safe in the boat.
In about quarters of an hour
from the time he was swept from the jib-
boom he again came over the side of the
ship, apparently little the worse, but
looking uncommonly washed. All hands
received him with cheer, and many
passengers and idlers surrounded him
to hear what he had to say. Orders
were at once given to hoist the boat up
and the Captain, impatient at losing so
much time, ordered the spanker to be
brailed up and at the same time the
helm to be put up, the boat would
be at the davids ere the ship paid off be-
fore the wind, and so become exposed to
| the seas and SaninO Neville oollad ont