The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-09-01

had project come into my head at
once.
We passed the night in the same manner
as the previous one, the natives, just out of
sight, warning us by their unceasing howls
that we must be on the alert all the time,
or suffer the consequences of a surprise so
our gun banged away at regular intervals,
the same as before, although we saved
some ammunition, for we only used blank
cartridges in the swivel, and light ones at
that we succeeded, by ramming the
charges pretty well, and wetting the mouth
of the cannon with moist sponge, in get
ting as loud reports as though we had dis
charged full rounds.
The wreck lay in easy position, SO we
hauled up alongside, as near as we could,
lowered boat, and sent half dozen men
to see If anything could be fished out of its
hold, the mate taking charge of the crew
Of wreckers.
"What chance is there of doing any
thingP" 1 shouted, as they clambered on
the deck of the wreck, and waded round
|
az think we can do something, sir there
appears to be some bits of wood that were
used for chocks floating in the hold" the
mate roared in reply.
"Save all of those chocks and bring
them on board for me to look at" cried
out.
The mate soon brought me few dozen
pieces that the men had secured at the ex-
pense of a thorough soaking
"Sandal wood, or Pm sinner" said,
after giving the bits critical examination.
"Are you sure, sir" the mate asked,
eagerly.
:" Sure of course am that is the pure
article, and if can get load out of that
wreck, am made man." I said, decis-
lively.
elbow about salvage ?" the mate whis-
pered, cautiously.
l had expected that question to be asked
at any moment, and so was prepared to
answer it,
"All hands are entitled to salvage, of
course" said, "and am prepared to do
whatever is right in that matter, which we
will settle, if possible, in manner that
will be satisfactory"
"The crew are talking some, already"
the mate said, "and want to have fair
understanding.
"Muster all hands," / ordered at once.
"Boys," began when they assembled,
"you shipped this voyage to go trading
with me. There is now possibility of our
getting something for the owners of this
property, whoever it belongs to, but it will
cost me something to victual you, and pay
for the loss of time while we are employed
here. All hands, however, are entitled to
share of what is saved, in due proportion,
and if you care to work with the under
standing that you shall have extra money
for this labor of wrecking, hook on but it
must be unanimous among you, or l shall
abandon the unfortunate craft, and prose
cute my regular voyage without delay"
They decided at once to hook on, SO with
an expression of relief and satisfaction on
their countenances they went forward
We managed by nightfall to have quite
a respectable pile of the valuable wood on
board, and l knew, that whatever my
share of the heap was, had made quite a
little sum toward reimbursing me in my
venture, and so turned in with a light
heart.
That night new project came into my
mind, and determined to see in the morn
ing what chance there was of carrying it
out
At daylight called all hands and told
them that was now going to require a
great deal of them. az am going, boys, -
said, "to raise that wreck, If possible.
GLOW do you intend to raise hero" the
mate asked,
with casks" replied.
Casks, where are they ?" he inquired,
in surprise.
"We have got lot of New England
rum slowed below, so you must break bulk,
get the cask on deck, then we will to-
night, when one watch is turned in, put an
anger into them and let it run into the
scuppers."
What risk Of money that is, sir.
You don't know whether that vessel has
got enough to pay or not. wouldn't do
it,"
Thanks for the advice, but shall take
the chances" ] said.
Late that afternoon we had forty-6ve
barrels Of rum ON deck, the hold slowed
again, and the crew wondering what ON