Smyrna times., 1876-08-02
They Were Hungry.

party Of six of us were shipwreclled i'll the
Pacific, and after drifting about in an open
boat until our provisions were exhausted,
we at last landed upon coral island, which
was nothing but barren rock. Our suffer
ing from hunger in short time became so
one Of our number would have to be used
for food to keep the rest alive. We drew
lots, and it fell to me to become the victim
didn't care very much, because was so
desperate; but my companions were dread
fully sorry, and in order to show how
kindly they felt toward me, they left il to
me to decide how l should be cooked. 1t
was generous of them, and it touched
me.
" rather had a preference for being
used us soup stock, but Barnes said that as
the water was salt, and as they had no
potatoes and onions to stew up with me, it
struck him that some other form of prepara
ton would be better if it would suit me-
And said had an idea ! would work up.
into very nice hash because would be
more apt to be nutricious when done
through and through, and with the gristlo
left out. But Barnes said they were almost
too weak to cut me up fine enough. lie
said good, comfortable roast done little
rare, and with crust OF fat on it, was
always a favorite dish Of his, and | expros-
scd willingness to be done up in that
form, but Wormley urged that 10 roast
meat, in his opinen, was fit to cat without
little horscr0dish, and there wasn't bit
on the island; and besides, unless was
skewcrod, I'd be certain to fall apart, and
it wouldn't be safe to cut up the tholo pins
for skewers, for fear they might want to row
away.
Barnes said lie was willing to utilize me
as sausage, and he thought they might
make hearty lunch to begin with, and
then smoke the rest over fire and carry
it off as two weeks rations while thcv
hunted for better place to stop. But
said the idea of being stuffed away in skins
was an unpleasant one to me. The very
| thought of it made me feel like suiiocating
and then it distressed me to think of nv
old friends holding me in hand, and eating
me at the end rs they would a banana.
Barnes said may be they would remember
me better that way, but he was perfectly
willing to give up the plan, and to try
making me into chowdcr. | said that |
| was ofrail tbo+ 7 ,-oc 4o,, Loo, g., - oul..
but if they were willing to take the risk it
made no great difference to me. We took
vote upon it, and we stood three for
chowder and three against it. had the
casting vote, and gave it for chowdcr.
"Whon this WAS settled Barnes called
me aside, and said that a little music might
serve, to make their life less and less sad
and he wanted to know if would have any
objection, after | was gone, to his using one
of my leg bones to make a rude kind of a
iiute. told him that the proposition had
my approval, and he said that as was a
long-legged man he thought he could
easily get out six fnger-holcs and mouth.
hole on the bone, and although he only knew
one tune Come where my Love lies
Dreaming '-he felt that even that would
sootho and comfort the survivors, said
that it might be good idea for Wormlcy
to take the bone of the other leg, and by
inserting a watchcrystle in either end
make sort of a spyglass out of it; but
Barnes said he was afraid they would have
| 10 ~
but he thought that WOrmley or Dickson
could fit up couple of ribs as bones with
which to rattle out chorus, and to give
variety to the music. Accordingly | asked
Dickson as personal favor to me to
accept any two ribs that he took a fancy to,
and to rattle them whenever he felt like
it. He said he would never forget my
kindness, and | really think the man felt
as if | had acted in a very gentlemanly
manner toward them.
But Wormly said he wished to thunder
we would settle things somehow, for he was
getting hungry; and Barnes replied that if
he made much fuss about it he shouldn't
have any of me to cut down cold. Then |
said goodbye to all but Wormley, who
grumblcd that no didn't want to shake NV
hand, but to eat it. Then Barnes lifted
up the axe to knock me on the head.
lie was just saying that he would make
it as pleasant for me us he could, when
Perkins exclaimed he saw SAIL So we
waited, and, after an hour or two, vessel
came up and took us off.
so | made a narrow escape; but often
used TO see Barnes on hehomeward vovape
look wistfully at my legs, and then go of
somewhere by himself, and softly whistle.
Z" Como where my Love lies Dreaming" |
am glad, though, that Wormley was dis.
appointed. really believe that the man
felt unhappy because he didn't have n
chance to luuch on me-"
This is Mr.. Hunks story. 1t is probably
exactly true, excepting in those places
where it wasn't.-Mar Adeler.
What do you mean, you little rascal ?'
1 w0I afk aayln I'll. 1.....I