Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-11-28

A Death Feast 1t Sea.
1t happened during the Sepoy revolt
m Farther India, and the date OF the
narrative commences with September,
1891. The Sepoys had risen in arms,
snc were bidding open defiance to the
power OF the English armies. The ma
i've Englishnen who had gone to India
In the delusion OF suddenly becoming
independently rich were Lewn to the
ground by the relentless swords ana
oattle axes OF the natives. Wives and
babies were tied to the stake and made
70 undergo the most sickening tortures.
Ihe determination continued until
hardly an Englishman was left in the
country. A few took refuge in the
lungles, where the Wild beasts OF the
forests were less to be feared than the
lnhuman cruelty of the natives. With
this state of affairs i'll one of her re-
Gently obtained dominions, England
began preparations for war. Besides
the regularly enlisted army there were
thousands who volunteered to go, and
among them some of the best blood in
England. Wheneye er it was practicable
the officers would take their families,
and when the fleet was ready to sail 1t
seemed as If all England was going to
empty her population into India.
The one whom this story mostly con-
Germs was SIR Edward Courtney, rela-
tive of the illustrious General Henry
Havelock, the great English commander.
Sur Edward was young. then in his oath
year, but o brave and gallant man, and
afterward noble officer, full of judg-
msnt and courage. After tsmpestuous
voyage, during which many died.
landing was made on the southern coast
of India, aud the next day the forces OF
the English were drawn up on the
shore, and the march for the interior
commenced. The route led through
rugged mountain sleeps and low marshy
valleys, and on every side the journey
was beset with attacks from the enemy
conct sled in ambush. After wandering
over hills until provisions We're nearly
exhausted u council Of war was held.
SIR E iward Courtney was present, and
advised that the army be broken up in
divisions aud Subdivisions, aud raid
made on every town IN the country.
He himself would lead Que o: the COM
panies.
The plans were adopted. and the army
separated in divlsIons. Sir Edward rode
III command of 1000, and led sn attack
on Calcutta. Early Ill the day he was
carried morally wounded from the bat
tie field. A heavy missile had struck
him UNCONSCIOUS 10 the ground. He
| WAS taken to q camp near Calcutta, and
afterward removed to one OF the ships,
where lie breathed his last just twenty
four hours alter he had received his
wound.
1t was his dying wish that his body
should be taken 10 England for burial.
His relatives and f.Iends lived there,
and he had promised his mother, one
of the royal ladies of the court. that he
would return to Endiand either dead or
alive. 1t was hard to comply with the
request. The enemy had put forward
stubborn aud bold front. Ali of the
men were needed IN the engagements.
1t WAS, however, agreed that a small
craft should be fitted up to carry the
remains to England. Ii was to be
manned by sixteen men, and was as
signed to the preparation and care OF
the body during ihe voyage. Two days
later everything was ready to sail. The
remains were safely packed in gin and
spices, and enough provisions were on
board to last during the trip. provided
we did not lose our course or become
disabled a, sea. We set sail one bright,
sunny morning. with Captain Hedding
in Command. 1 shall always remember
that man for the heroic nerve he
displayed in an instance which oc-
Cured about two months alter We had
left port.
r. Southern ocean seemed to smile
from 1t, blue coral depths, and every
body agreed that the voyage had been
begun under favorable circumstances;
and notwithstanding the sad mission OF
our sea journey, the b, st OF spirits pre-
vailed. Ali was well enough until the
night we reached the Cape of Good
Hope Tns clouds were charged with
thunder and lightning. The wind
roared in our masts. Nothing could be
done. 1t was fearful night, and no
one on board even hoped 10 see the
light of another sun, Alter the storm
had cleared away we drifted, God knows
whittier, without rudder 10 guide or
sails to propel. Three of our men had
been swept overheard and swallowed up
bv the sea. We were alone ON the
ocean, helpless, and with but limited
supply of provisions. Our craft drifted
westward and to the north. Our only
hope was to hail some passing steamer,
ami thus be saved from the fate of star
vation and watery grave.
The most thrilling part of my narra-
tive rs yet to come. We had probably
been at sea a month. No sign of land
and no godsend in the way of d steamer
aecked The horizon. The provisions
grew so,ntier day by day. Finally
nothing was left but few crusts OF
bread, I had private fund OF edibles,
which l had packed securely i'll my
chest, and of which the sailors knew
nothing. Starvation knocked at our
doors. Two days we drifted, with
nothing to satisfy the terrible hunger
of our stomachs. Matters reached q
desperate turo. Something must be
done or we would all perish with hun
ger. The captain and tried to put on
q bold front. We encouraged the men
to resist the gnswing in their stomachs
little while longer and looked forward
70 a brighter day. 1t was a sad sight to
see those men perched upon the eleva :
t,ons ON the boat gazing in vain over
briny deep, in search of something
which mig bring them the long hoped
for relief. One day we noticed that the
men said nothing. We knew they were
almost pinched to death with hunger,
and wondered why they had ceased to
complain, That night the mystery was
explained. A few hours after had re-
tired / was Aroused by vigorous
knocking at my door. and upon awaken