Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-11-26


the accident, were drowned, besides
the three who Lad been on deck.
The little party OF seven, all that re
mained OF the original twenty one
was in critical situation, and III
members were not long in discovering
that all the provisions and water haC
been destroyed. To add to the horror
of the scene corpse rose slowly from
the hatch and fell over with thud or
the deck. They wrapped the body o
their unfortunate companion in piece
Of canvas and dropped IL overheard
not u Thug remained Un deck by which
they could make themselves even
slightly comfortable. By daylight the
storm abated and gradually decreased
until at noon tho wreck OF the Petre
driited easily. Every one took it upon
himself TO keep sharp lookout, and
at two o'clock p. M. sail was sight
ed to the north. 1t was too distant tc
hear any. cry for help; but in the hope
that signal Of distress might be seen
they hoisted red shirt on pole and
waited anxiously for q response. But
none came, and again the horizon was
clear An hour later the cry, "A sail
a sail r. arose, and q two-masted
schooner was sighted to tho north
west. The signal was again hoistcd
but without success. Before night an
other vessel was sighted, but made nc
reply to the signals. With the disap.
pearance Of the sun in the west gale
sprang up from the north and made
the water rough. At midnight the
waves were washing the deck of the
floating hull and the suffering surviv-
ors were in imminent danger. On
Thursday the wind was blowing hard
and the sea running high. Occasion.
ally piece of flesh would rise in the
hatchway to the surface of the water
During the day five vessels were seen,
but none passed within hailing dis.
tance.
On Thursday night several Of the
fortunate seven were utterly disheart.
ened and refused to do anything fur
ther preferring to meet death bali
way. They searched again for food
or stray cask of water, but without
avail. Their countenances haggard
and wan, their eyes sunken and list
less, bespoke intense suffering That
night they huddled together In the af-
ter part Of the vessel and tried TO re-
fresh themselves by sleep, but tired as
they were the excitement was too in.
tense to permit them to slumber.
Early Oh Friday morning they were
startled by loud shouting, and were
Mortified at discovering the first mate,
Burgess. standing over a dead body
that had been given up by the waters
in the hold, brandishing a large spike
which he held in his hand, and shout
ing frantically, "I will eat you; | will
eat your 1t was soon discovered that
tho mate was not in his right mind,
Tor when his companions approached
he imagined them TO be monsters in
quest OF his flesh to eat. As the body
was lowered into the water he sought
to plunge in after it, but was prevented
by the others.
A sail was sighted and the signals
were again bopelcssly raised. The men
were now becoming desperate. The
first mate had gone crazy. In the
midst Of their Encouragement Benja-
min Martin made discovery. From
the pocket of his jacket he drew a
piece of beeswax about the size Of an
egg. Here was something that would
relieve their parched throats, down
which no food or drink had passed for
three days. He called his companions
about him. There were only six. One
was missing. 1t was the first mate.
They subsequently found his body in
the forward part of the hull. His
wounded finger, which had not healed,
had commenced bleeding
"What shall we do, boys2' said
Benjamin Martin, the head watch.
"Shall we drink little of that blood
or not2 It's life or death. What do
you say ?"
"Yes,' was the feeble but unanimous
response. They all rushed forward.
"Hold hard, fellows. am mistaken.
Don't touch It. For Gods sake, don't,
exclaimed Martin, placing himself be-
tween the body Of the mate and the
famished seamen.
"Why mott" was the surly demand
because it will only sharpen our
appetites TO do worse thing-to eat
one Of our own party. No, stand back
and wait until tomorrow"
As be finished speaking he cut of
pieces OF the beeswax about hall the
size OF a pea, and gave one TO each Of
them.
MAKE one piece last you twenty
four hours" were Martins instruc-
tioRs.
The mates body was dropped over
board and Martin even went 30 far as
to see that no stains OF blood remained
on the deck where the body had lain
On Saturday afternoon not one oil
the sufferers entertained q hope Of
ever seeing land again. About noon,
after having twice hoisted their signal
Of distress without avail, one OF the
party fnnnd n piece ni ships broad 1t
was saturated with salt water, but
they received il with thankfulness,
When divided equally among the six
survivors, each man bad piece about
the size of his fist This they devour-
ed greedily, despite the entreatics Of
some to be sparing. AT night the sky
again looked threatening, and this un-
fortunates had terrible forebodings OF
their fate. But when Sundays sun
sbone on the Atlantic every trace Of
the storm had vanished. The little
band then resolved TO call upon God
for assistance, and in unison sent up a
simple prayer for hclp. All day Sun
day not n sail was seen. Halt Of the
becswnx had now been eaten, and two
of tho party too weak TO stand on their
feet. One had not even strength
enough to chow the wax.
After having YEARLY watched all
night without seeing living thing
save their own emaciated forms and
haggard features, Martin confessed bis
belief that they were doomed to die o.
starvation.
Nov, boys, all give ono moro look,
he said, about Eve o'clock on Monday
morning.
They responded, but 1t proved !
lfruitlcss search. Just then large drop
Of rain began to TALL, and the counte
nances OF the men frightened at las
as the precious drops fell faster ant
faster. Clothing was spread on thu
deck, and when thoroughly saturated
the water was wrung into hat. Be
fcrc the shower was over they sue
ceedcd in relieving their condition
considerably, and were prepared 4
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