Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-04-19

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fire was built, the clothes dried as
much as possible, and then the exhaust
ed men lay down and slept soundly
with the bowling of the storm and
moaning of the waters as a lullaby
! About midnight the second mate and
two seamen got up and went out to
look at the ship, for upon her lasting
long enough for them to get provisions
depended, as they thought, their
chances for existence. The three men
walked down the sands opposite where
the ship was lying, still broadside on.
The tide had been rising. While they
were looking at her and speculating as
to the chances of her lasting until
morning she gave weather rolf and
foated off as erect and buoyant as
ever. Straight off to sea went the
Trinity, carrying with her the pro-
visions and equipment. The men,
with staring eyes, watched her until
she disappeared in the storm and mist
to reappear again possibly as the
Flying Yankee to traders in the South
Sea-and then ran back to tell the
wonderful story to their comrades.
The situation when the next morn
ing broke was most distressing to the
men. The ship was gone and with
her their hope Of subsistence. 1t is
true that they had few casks of pro-
visions on land, but these seemed very
insignificant when the captain announc-
ed that their stay on the island would
be Of one years duration under the
best circumstances. The island lies in
latitude So south by 73a east. 1t is
thirty-fve miles long by about four
miles wide. On one end of it, at Clin-
ton Bay, about eighteen miles from
their comrades, were the four men that
had been put ashore there as the Trim
ity came down the coast. The first
thought of Captain Williams was to
reach these men, but huge volcanic
mountain covered with icy sleeps and
dented with narrow ravines hundreds
of feet deep blocked the way. An in
vestigation of the resources of the
island proved that there were pro-
visions enough of certain sort. Wild
cabbage abounded. 1t was something
like our cabbage, but very strong in
odor and taste 1t was only by
most thorough boiling that it became
palatable Hungry men, and casta-
ways at that, however, might do worse
than eat wild cabbage, and the Trini-
ty's crew boiled and ate with an appe-
tite and an honest thankfulness. The
sea elephants that they had come there
to hunt were found in great numbers,
and sea leopards, an animal about
eight times as large as a seal, were
also caught occasionally. A cooking
committee superintended the prepara-
tion of these viands, and so admirably
did they succeed that the bill of fare
was oftentimes a surprising novelty to
those not in the secret. There was
some difficulty at first about the game,
but the penguins, bird with enor-
nous wings and enormous dignity,
that prevented its flying, fell an easy
victim to the feet-footed hunters.
AS the months grew apace it was
found necessary to devise means of
amusement for the men, whose pa
tience, as might we'll be imagined, be-
gan to give out. The weather was
almost constantly stormy and there
were few days when any outdoor
work could be accomplished, always
excepting the daily hunt for food that
was, Of course, necessary. 1t was al
ways cold, and the great glaciers of
the volcanic mountain were masses OF
ice from the peak. 5000 feet above. to
the level of the sea. The men were
told of the four cabins and the. fifth was
hoisted piece of sailoloth, which in
time was substituted by a piece of fur.
The mems clothes gave out piece by
piece naturally enough, but the skins
of the elephant and leopard made &C.
ceptable garments. The blankets were
also reinforced with furs, and beds and
pillows were manufactured with feath-
ers of the buds captured. Their great
est want was tobacco and all sorts of
substitutes were devised, but unsuc-
cessfully. A sun dial was put up but
was of little use, as the sun seemed to
have withdrawn it's light from them.
The DAYS and months were kept by
noches on wood, and in fact the men
dressed, slept, ate and probably talked
as Crusoe might have done. The dis
cipline was perfect and the work was
always cheerfully done. Several par
ties patrolled the beaches daily in
search of meat, and where one party
failed another succeeded.
Thus the days and weeks went by.
There had been saved from the Trini-
ty three or four religious books, one
PRAYER book and about dozen copies
of Harper's Weekly. The library
was arranged with much ceremony in
one of the cabins and was well pat
roniz-d Even the Portuguese negroes
would look at the pictures of Harper's
and spell out the words with great
gusto. Finally, to cap the climax,
baseball club was organized, and on
one sunny day the first of series OF
the national game was 'inaugCrated.
There was some little difficulty at first
because one of the Portuguese was
appointed referee and was not posted
on the rules of the League but ii
was finally arranged by putting the
colored man in the field and appoint.
ing the cook to the responsible judicial
post, which he filed to the satisfaction
of all, Notwithstanding the dinner was
somewhat late in consequence. II
was queer sight when the wooden
ball prepared by the carpenter after
vast amount of consultation flew from
the bat and was chased by number O
bearded and hairy-coated 'felders.
The game was success and was fol
luwed by others.
The light hearted fellows were des
tined. however, to feel the touch o
sadness. In January, 1881, five mel
started on more extended search fol
l alanbant meat as the animals were