South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-30


them. Provisions and everything neces-
sary were placed in them. Thirty per-
sons were too Ill TO be moved. and they
were left to their fate. Their compan-
ions reasoned not unfairly that they
must die, and that their object in deser-
ting the ship would lac greatly endanger-
ed, If they took with them any who were
Mt all affected by the disease. CAPTAIN
Bridges, when he found that his threats
and appeals were in vainA commanded
them TO leave him with his ship, declar-
ing that he would share the fate OF The
Sovereign of the Seas whatever it
might be. But this command was equal.
ly unheeded. and he was placed in one
of the boats. without being unbound. and
lowered with it over the side.
In consequence of the refusal OF the
captain TO sanction tue proceeding, the
command ofthe party had been entrust-
ed to the first mate. he being the one
best fitted to direct the movements of
the little fotilla.
At last everything was in readiness.
The boats were filed, and were moving
OIL from the ship, when loud cries were
heard on the vessel, and the poor wretch
es who were left to perish came rushing
on deck, supplied by their despair with
artificial strength. They had discover
ed the intentions OF their companions at
the last moment, and had come To beg
them not to desert them. Some sank
down on the deck, exhausted. while o.
Tiers, supporting themselves by the bull
warks, uttered the most piteous cries.
The men in the boats sobbed like chill
dren, and the women answered the cries
OF the doomed ones with heart-rending
shrieks. Poor Captain 8rydges lay
where they had placed him, grooming
with anguish His whole soul revolted
at leaving the people on the ship. and
his heart was wrung with bitter grief to
desert the beautiful vessel of which he
was so proud. There was a plunge into
the water, then another, and another
The most desperate Of the victims were
trying TO swim TO the boats. But their
strength was not equal TO the task, and
they sank one after an other into the
deep waters.
Such dreadful and unlooked-ror scenes
seemed TO have rendered every one in-
capable of motion. They were reused
by the mate.
Give way there" he shouted, saw
agely. I'VE must be gone from here at
once
The rowers bent to their oars with n
will and the boats shot offover the blue
waters, now rs smooth as glass. Not "a
word was spoken. The mates boat led
the way, and lie stored as directly as
possible for the coast of New Jersey
An boar passed away. Suddenly there
. rr-r, f.s.., ..fs. a.
Look at the ship"
! All eyes were turned in that direction.
The vessel had scarcely changed her po-
sition. From her decks n heavy thick
cloud Of black smoke was rising, and
soon bright flashes oriiame could he seen
through the pail, and at last the hall and
rigging were wrapped in a solid sheet OF
| fire.
Captain Bridges grew almost frantic
as he beheld this, 50 that he was not un.
bound until long after The Sovereign
Of the Seas had settled down forever
under the waves she had once sailed o.
yer so royalty. When released. the cap
tain swore he would take vengeance on
all concerned in the desertiou of the
ship, rs soon as they should reach the
land. During the rest Of the voyage he |
was silent and stern, scarcely replying
/ TO what was said to him.
The mate. rs we have said stecred /
right for the jersey coast. Eycrvhirg /
seemed to favor the voyagcrs. The wea- /
Their continued mild and delightful. and /
no new cases of sickness occurred. -
They had succeeded in leaving the /.
plague behind them. They suffered .
much lg,rso..o. (...,,. - a.
and ut night exerted themselves unusu- 4.
ally to decrease the distance between I.
themselves and land
At last the Highlands which have
cheered 50 many amariuer's heart, were I
seen, and soon after the whole party /
were safe on American soil. Ithad been /.
fearful and trying voyage, and they I
had commenced il go hopefully and fear
lessly Never in after life. could any
Of those who had taken part iu the e. I.
vents we have related recall them with /
out q shu1ler. u seemed strange they I.
lived through them
Captain Bryjge- did not execute his
threat Of vengeance. lie was taken
sick Immediately after landing and
long aud dangerous illness followed
When he recovered he could fud no trace
Of his crew. lIeneycrgo entirely over
The loss Of bis vessel aud those who
knew him best said bis grief for the gal- F.
laut craft did much towards fastening
his death, six years later.
80 Hope is the best part OF our rich. F.
cs. What proatetI {. that we have Che
wealth Of The Indies I'm our pockets. IT..
we have not the hope Of heaven in our
souls2
~ s clergyman in one orour Eastern
cities was mc. hg @ seejylJokilg man
with q flask OF wi Key in his pocket.
who inquired: "S.r. is This che nearest
r---- q. ---- .L-.-L- - = ~. 49, i