The Jasper weekly courier., 1874-07-17


low. Upon their being repeated, howcy-
er. threw on 4 few clothes, tripped into
my slippers and entered the saloon. Here
| was met by one of the stewards, who,
in great agitation. informed me that the
steamer had struck. | thought al first he
was only Joking. and that he meant that
the vessel was ION strike" and had ne
fused to 90 ON. His real meaning was,
however. soon made clear 10 my under
standing. The steamer had struck on a
rock. and was fast sinking.
My first impulse was 10 fly for safety 10
a high part of the vessel. and trust in
Providence for my deliverance. Recol-
lecting. however. that death from exposure
TO the cold was said TO be even worse than
death from drowning, | returned to my
cabin for my heavy oyercoatand travelling
cap. | bethOught me also Of the old sock,
which. besides my watch. rings and match
| box, contained twenty-three soyereigns; /;
and thinking these might prove of service,
| gathered them together and stuffed them
/ hurriedly into pocket ef my warm over
coat. where found also few cigars and
cigarettes. There was 40 time for any
further preparations. The water was al
ready rushing in torrents down the cabin
stairs. and. before had time 10 reach the
deck. my feet We're soaking.
The scene on deck was indeed terrible.
I The door of the stcerage cabin had been
I thrown open. and the emigrants were
pouring out like ants from besieged ant
hill Women and children were running
wildly about in all directions, and rent the
night air with their shrieks and piteous
cries for help.
Alighting on the quarterback. en-
countefed MIR. SAINT in the act of putting
on lift-preserver. and near the wheel
house the last OF the signal rockets was be-
ing fired.
Instinctively, or as if inspired. clung TO
the broad wooden rail on the starboard. or
right-hand side of the steamer. for in that
moment the vessel suddenly heayed over.
and threatened 10 precipitate me into the
sea. now fell on my knees and. in my
native language. imploIed Heaven TO for
give my sins. and protect my beloved wife
and children. | fancied then that saw
my dear family standing in the center OF
the deck before me. and the illusion was
only dispelled when observed that the
deck was so much out of the horizontal
that | was forced 10 hold fast 10 the rail in
order 10 save myself from falling forward
| clung for very life 10 an iron bar of this
rail, for the steamer had heeled over again,
and stood a they say ION her beam ends. p"
| thought il strange that she should
have fallen with her deck seawarcls. when
the waves and wind were inclining
her TO the land side. II. however. she had
fallen in the opposite direction, every soul
on board must have perished.
Wearied with grasping the rail of the
steamer. | ventured to change my place of
safety, and for this purpose moved eau
tiously towards the hurricane or bridge
deck, which is the highest part of a vessel.
Seating myself upon one Of the iron props
OF the bridge. | felt the waves as they
dashed against the upturned hull. and |
heard a voice repeatedly cry. Take to the
rigging - |. however. did not avail nv
self Of the Injunction, for could observe
indiStinctly that the rigging was already
black with people. and il was besides diff
cult to approach that quarter Of the steam
er. Light was issuing from the port
holes OF the hull beneath me. but this was
presently extinguished by the waves, rs
they dashed into the little windows.
myself soon became thoroughly drenched
with water. and my feet and hands were
numbed with the cold. and my slippers
parted company.
Suddenly lost my hold and fell. now
thought that my end was indeed approach
ing. but by miracle | presently found
myself seated saddle-fashion on the wood
en- rail below. Again | thanked Heaven
for my safety. and as / was uttering the
words. a voice near me asked whether
was addressing him.
NO replied. II am PRAYING. and
recommend you To DO the same.-
What language do you pray ing' he
inquired.
''In Spanish | answered: ..bst. you
can pray in your own language, you
know
The waves still beat with fury against
the wreck. and now daylight began to ar-
pear. and gradually revealed the objects
around. Land-so dreaded few hours
since. 80 welcome now-was distinctly
visible. The steamer appeared TO be- en-
closed in a kind Of semi-circe Of land
In turning my head beheld my friend
Mr.. SAINT, whom found TO be the person
who last addressed me.
Are you cenor CO he asked.
IL am
"Oh. we are lost-we are lost - he ex-
claimed.
'.On the contrary said I. II believe we
are saved.''
.For the moment only 80 he said
Tho poor fellow had neither hat nor coat
on. and was shivering with cold. Water
was dripping from his head and his watch
guard hung loosely from his waistcoat.
He told me that he had Offered one of the
sailors fifty dollars for life-preserver, that
the man had accepted his offer. but Mr..
SAINTS hands were 80 benumbed with cold
that he was unable toextract the coin from
his fob. The sailor therefore followed my |
friends directions and helped himself. |
The life-preserver. however. proved Of no |
service. nor had lifepreserver been Of
any use to George. one Of the attendants |
Of the saloon. who tried to avail himself
of one. His body was then iloating under |
my gaze.
BY the blessed light OF day could now |
calculate the distance which separated us
from land. The nearest point OF terra TRINA i
n. n