New-York tribune., 1884-03-23

was table on the stsrboard side with a cushioned
locker running down IT, and on the port side there
went bulkhead dividing into THREE cabins. with bit
of berth in the foremost ond. where. afterward
learned were kept the saimakers gear. carpenters
chest, stuff used for the rigging. etc. 1t was Q
homely cabin indeed mere box of place, with
the carvings and obbinQs of three or four genera
tions of sailors upon the woodwork of it, fonr small
circular W ndows oyor the table, and little win
dow in each cabin. III there had over been carpet,
II must have gone overheard during the ga 10.
asked Florence and her aunt to be seated while
spoke to the mate aud on Somors indicating the
mans cabin, which was the afterm0st one, /
knocked on the little door and entered.
A CLEAN of sunshine came through the window.
and santed Ike bar Of silver from IL TO the deck
It hlled the narrow commitment with luminous
haze that made seeing difficult for moment or two
and then, behind the sunbeam as it might be-
made out bunk with man lying in it, dressed in
his drawers and shirt, with an old blanket drawn
over his bare feet up to his knees There was a
mans chest painted green in corner and on top
OF Il TIN dish containing piece Of salt meat that
looked 10 have been unta ted 4 broken clay pipe
lay on the deck under the bunk. An Old rusty pilot
coat swung by nail at the door and the chest
was an empty metal wash-basin., The poor fellow
lying in the bunk was man of about thirty years
OF age; yet he might have passed for fifty, fear
ful was the havoc that pain and sickness had
wrought in his face His hair lay plentifnly tossed
upon the rude, s0ile1 bolster that pillOwed his
head his eyes had the glazed look that ncessant
anguish gives; his lips were bloodless; and 80
hercely had emaoatOn done its work that under
the ragged board. the growth of few weeks only
It looked TO be, you could tho jawbOne coming
through the skin like tie back of knifo and every
VEN ana artery upon the forehead, and under the
eyes, ana down past the ears on either sde of the
throat stood ont aS standing rigging Will under
wet sail blown hard against IT,
- am sorry" said |. approaching him close and
speaking softly, to hnd You III this state: and
sorrcr seeing that 1t is to you under God that there
are nine Of us, of whom are ladies. who will be
owing their preservation from Heaven alone knows
what fearful fate. What is your MALAY ~
" | don't know, sir" he answered in such a voice
that 1t mado o man feel cruel to listen to it. I'd
been ailng ever since we left the Cape but it came
on worse after the captain was washed overheard,
aud has made mo what you see. I'm sure medicine
could cure me; I'm sure doctor could make II
well man. Oh it's a dreadful thing TO lie dying here
alone without help so far from home. Id not mind
death If could be buried ashore; but to think OF
being igGg n into the sea and left to float about
You mustn't. tn nix of that said |. "You're a
sailor. and have held your life in your
hand too long as all sailor-men do TO
I've left my men ashore to kill some goats,
If they can come Mt them, and a mess OF fresh
meat should do you good sad J. with glance at
the pale blt of salt meat in the tin and when
they've done that job, which needn't take them
ovcrlong we'll up anchor and head for the latitude
of 81 ips; where we may get SIce and medIcne for
you." He mutlered something. with rolling mp of
his eyes that left nothing hut the whites Ot them
visible and methOught when | looked at him then.
lads, that if ever death, lying skulkng inside of
We man and quietly doing its work there. came up
and had peep NJ you out of hIs face IL dId out of
that mates. aud God help me for the wild memory
of #; Presently his eyes came back to their place,
and he yazed at me sensiDly.
" Is there any one of you" says he " who can nav-
gate this bIig!'
r." can, replied that is if you have the means
aboard"
ooh, yon'l find what you want in the captains
cabin, sir he exclaimed. " But fear the chro
"Then / must make shift TO do without it," said l.
." am glad 10 hear there Is plenty of fresh water
aboard. DO you know what stock OF provisions re-
mains;'
" How many will there be of lis altogether, sir "
"Well, Our party makes nine, and the &c are seven
of you. counting the two disabled men and yourself
He shut his eyes and lay awhile, thinking; and
the brightness coming down white oil the gIsh of
sunshine piercing the cabin windoT lay full upon
his face, and made him look the saddest corpse for
never did man seem deader as he lay with his eyes
slut-that was over noated by ships deck
4" | think" said he family; " you'll find there'll be
enough provisions to last out five weeks by putting
all hands on short allowance"
"NOt more =
fancy not, sir But the cook can overhaul the
iaZarct and let you know"
If this true, 1t was not comforting. though
will not say II was alarming. either fer 80 long as
we had plenty of fresh water the hardship of going
upon a short allowance of provisions would not he
very great and it would be more than strange in
deed il would seem as If We were to be cursed aud
if between this and five weeks we did not encounter
help. After n short pause the mate asked Inc how
proposed to head.
"Why." said l. d" for Australia. don't soc that
we could do better. We have nothing but westerly
winds III these seas to depend upon"
sort of light came into his dim eyes. and wan
smile played about his mouth. oh said he, 1t
does me good 10 talk to you, sir TO hear Won speak
of heading for Australia. There's a sound If life N
your words, sir. wish was able to be on deck to
help you. But you'll find William SOmerS good,
steady man-yon can safely trust him with the
brig"
"Ay" said :; " and besides, have the bo'sun of
the StrathmOre, a iirst-rate seaman. Don't trouble
Yourself about your inability to help me- I'm an Old
hand and think can show the Sarah Jane the road
home. Meanwhile. pluck up heart, and hope for the
tanned the first of it shall be given to yOu" And so
saying, took his hand and pressed 1t. and left him.