Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-02

yer rather, for the heat was so fearful that
sometimes imagined that ii would seethe.
The sun seemed like mass of white hot
iron close above US, aud the pitch oozed
aud boiled between the planks. Poor
Phipps could not go on with his skelching,
for the perspiration dropping from his fore
head blotted his work, and even Nc Nab's
ardor for chess relaxed. But l had little
time to play with hm-under such aggra-
waiting circumstances the fever ragged.
Deaths were Of daily, sometimes hourly,
occurrence; we soon had TO cast the bodies
overheard without ceremony.
On the fourth day the captain and one of
his mates sickened, and the shattered con-
stitution of the former caused him 10 sink
at once. Then Phipps took the fever, and
though II was mild attack, he was so fee
bic as TO be unfit for duty.
Such of the convcts escaped the fever
began to hold their heads erect and look
you full in the eyes as they passed, as
though they felt that death was bringing US
all TO an equality.
The sixth day was the most oppressive Of
all-it was literally difficult to draw breath,
and though l escaped the fever, l was
knock ed up for the first time. To do my
work amongst the dying and dead was a
physical impossibility for me; l threw
myself down under the awning on the
quarterback and lost all consciousness,
probably remaining in state of torpor for
hours.
was reused by the most tremendous
crash have ever heard, and found myself
in darkness, but only for a moment; tho
next, sea, sky and ship were lit up by a
violet glare, while a zigzag line OF fire, so
intense that the eyes ached at it, flashed,
and left the gloom more profound than ever.
Aud again camo that awful thunder, COM
pared with which the loudest ever heard in
Europe is a whisper. That moment of
fierce light revealed to me men in the rig
gng taking in the sail which had been
sTread to catch the slightest breeze; and a
spar hanging awkwardly aud all awry al
so McNab and the mate, who now acted as
captain, standing near me.
ave shall never be able to manage with
out help, we arc SO terribly underbanded,"
said the latter.
"Weel, them" replied McNab, 1--WE will
pick half dozen OF the deevils, nae more.
One ken has been sailor, and"
Another flash and deafening roar, which
drowned his voice.
"Eh, Mr.. Glover, lad, )" he said, when the
lull came, 'are We there1 Ye had better
just go below. Your work is done, and
ours is beginning. There will be breeze
enow TO blaw the fever away presently, and
ye will be in the way"
had often determined If there were
storm to remain on deck and see it; the
freshness Of the air, too, was delightful TO
breathe; but fatigue overcame all else, and
was glad to take McNab's advice. Imag-
Inc what had gone through that week iu
such a climate, with patients dying by dOz-
ems in my youthful hands, many OF whom
| felt could have been saved with better
nursing, and you will not wonder at my
prostration.
AS / reached The cabin stairs the rain
came down in sheets; there was booming,
roaring round the ship heeled over and
raced through the water as the storm came
down upon her. A fash of lightning show
ed me that the sea was already while with
foam.
went below made hearty meal Off
some salt bcef and biscuit 1 found on the
table, drank a stiff glass of rum and walor,
and turned into my berth 10 renew my
nap, weariness drowning the sense of dan
ger.
How long / slept or what happened in
the time, do not know. When / awoke
the ship was rolling heavily, and there was
a continuous, ominous sound, thud, thud,
thud, thud, accompanied with the pouring
of wafer, which caused me to hurry on
deck, where n scene Of terrible confusion
met my eyes, for it was broad daylight. A
mast had gone, tho deck was Uttered with
cordage and broken woodwork. All was
in confusion, authority in allegiance con-
victs, sailors, marines were mixed up to-
geiher, hurrying 10 and fro, or working at
the pumps. The gale had abated, was dy-
ing out, in fact, but there was a leak which
could not be discovered, though, in conse-
quence of the number of hands 10 relieve
one another in pumping, the wafer did not
gain upon us. Finding Twas not wanted
there, went below again to attend upon
Phipps, who had been LEFT l knew not how
long, and was too weak 10 help himself
much. The fever had left him, but he was
low and Responding. and asked me TO read
til Bible 10 him, which l did.
Afler time heard McNab come down,
and went into the saloon, out OF which our
private cabins opened, to speak 10 him.
found him loading his pistols
"The leak has been found and stopped, :"
he saidi "but dnna like the look of The
convicts; some of them haze got arms, 1
fear me-"
While he was speaking shouts and shots
were heard above, and he rushed to the cab
in stairs, following him. Directly we
reached the deck we saw body Of conylcts
coming aft, headed by Williams, who had a
musket in his hands.
1.-The game is up lieutenant" he cried !;
"you had better surrender"
MeNab's answer was pistol shot; Will
llams staggered but recovered himself, lev
eled his musket, fired, and McNab fell
dead in my arms. In a moment 1 was
knocked down, bound and thrust aside to
be a helpless spectator of crimes could
not move finger 10 prevent. Some OF the
ruf1ians rushed down the cabin stairs and
returned dragging poor Phipps with them.
With brutal jests they bore him to the bull
warks, one took his shoulders, another his
feet, and they tossed him alive into the sea.
All the sailors or marines who were sick,
or had been wounded in the struggle, were
in like manner thrown overheard the re-
mainder were gathered together in body,