Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-10-25

Mark Twains tells the following
story In the October Ztlantic:
Capt Rounceville's vessel was lost
in mid Atlantic, and likewise his wife
and his two children. Capt. Rounce-
vile and seven seamen escaped with
life, but with little else. A small,
rudely constructed raft was to be
their home for eight days. They had
neither provisions nor water. They
had scarcely any clothing; no one
had coat but the captain This
coat was changing hands all the time,
Tor the weather was very cold. When
ever q man became exhausted with
the cold, they put the coat on him
and laid him down between two ship
mates until the garment and their
bodies had warmed life into him
again. Among the sailors was Por-
tuguese who knew no English. He
seemed to have no thought Of his
own calamity, but was concerned
only about the captains bitter loss Of
OF wife and children. By day he
would look his dumb compassion in
the captains face; and by night, in
the darkness and the driving spray
and ran, he would seek out the cap
tain and try and comfort him with
caressing pats on his shoulder One
day when hunger and thirst were ma
king their sure inroads upon the
mems strength and spirits, floating
barrel was seen in the distance. 1t
seemed a great find, for doubtless it
contained food Of some sort. A brave
fellow swan to it, and after a long
and exhausting effort, got it on the
raft. TWAS eagerly opened. 1t con-
tanned magnesial On the fifth day, an
onion was spied. A sailor swan off
and got it. Although perishing with
hunger, he brought 1t in its integrity |
and put it into the captains hand.
The history Of the sea teaches that
among starving, shipwrecked men, |
selfishness Is rare, and a wonder-com |
pelling magnanimity the rule. The
onion was equally divided into eight
parts. and eaten with deep thanks
giving. On the eighth day distant
ship was sighted. Attmpte were
made to hoist an oar, with Capt.
Rounesville's coat on 1t for a signal
Tn ere were many failures, for the
men were but skeletons now and /
strengthless. At last success was
achieved, but the ship brought no
help. The ship faded out OF sight
and left despair behind her, By
and by another ship appeared, and |,
passed so near that the cas,aways,
every eye eloquent with gratitude
made ready to welcome the boat that |
would be sent to save them. But
this ship also drove on, and left these
men staring tfssir unutterabls sur
prise and dismay into each others
ashen faces. Latch the day, still an
other ship came up out Of the distance,
but the men noted with q pang that
course was which wonAl not brirzy her
nearer. Their remnant of life was
nearly spent, their lips and tongues
were swollen, parched. cracked with
eighth days thirst their bodies star
we'd: and here was their last chance
gliding relentlessly from them; they
would not be alive when the next sun
rose. For aday or two past the men
had lost their voices, but now Capt
RounceviIle Whispered. @Let rs pray.
Phe Portuguese patted him on the
shoulder in sign Of deep approval.
All knelt at the base of the oar that
was waving the signal cost aloft and
bowed their heads The sea was toss
ing; the sun rested, a red, rayIess disk,
on the sea-line in IT, vest. When
the men presently raised their heads
they would have roased q hallelujah
II they had had = voice; the ships
sails lay wrinklsd and Tapping against
her masts--she was going about
Here vas Rescue at last, and In the
very last instant Of time that was left !
for it. No. not rescue yet-only an
imminent prospect OF it. The red
disk sank under the sea and darkness
blotted out the ship. By and by
came q pleasant sound-oars moving
in boats rowlocks. Nearer It came, |
and nearer-within thirty steps, and |
nothing visible. Then deep voice.
@Ho-loI" The castaways could not an
swer; their swollen tongues refused |
voice. The boat skirted round and |
round the raft, started away-the ag-
ony Of it returned, rested the oars,
close at hand, listening no doubt. |
The deep voice again. Ho-lof Where
are We, shipmates?" Capt. bonneville
whispered to his men, saying:
Whisper your best. boysl now-afl
at oncer So they sent out an eighth
fold whisper In hoarse concert:
~Herev There was life in it il it sue
ceeded; death II it failed. After that |
supreme moment Capt bonneville
was conscious OF nothing until he
came to himself on board the saving
ship. Said the Reverend, concluding;
@There was no little moment OF time