Wichita eagle., 1888-12-30
and dlsnasted, sir.

was all your fault. You were drunk when
we left purt, and you got stupid soon after
that. VOC are responsible for what this
covers, sir, as well as the loss of this brig"
[ took his arm and walked him over to the
bodies, and pulled off the sail 1t was q
shocking sight, and no wonder he started
back with a cry of horror.
-"How-was itf" he slowly demanded.
ssThe nigger stabbed the mate, sir, and the
man was killed as the masts went over. Both
deaths are laid at your door. This is the re-
suit of your lying drunkI'
ssGreat God! Great Godf" he gasped, as
he held up his hands in horror.
'Yes, sir, it's an awful nights work"
said in reply. "And what are We to do
nowg"
Dead! Both deadI And the brig a
wreck" he whispered, as he glared around
him
At that moment the men began to appear
on deck, and the captain covered his face
with his hands for a moment, and then
rushed into his cabin. We gathered about
the stump of the foremast as all came on
deck, but not over ten minutes had elapsed
when the steward came out, shouting that
the captain was gone We rushed aft in a
u,
water, hands over his eyes, and the water
just covering them. He was probably dead
then, but II not we were helpless. We had
no boat, and before any one brought rope
the body had drifted too far away to be
caught The man had crawled through one
OF the cabin windows, and doubt if he had
yet fully recovered his senses.
As soon as we had had bite to eat Mr..
Waters insisted that take command Of the
wreck l knew myself to be the best sailor
aboard, and when all the other men Joined in
l agreed to take the responsibility of acting
as commander. We had now steward, who
was also cook, three men and boy, making
five souls aboard. The uasts were old and
rotten, and had gone of close to the deck,
PLAYING smash with the port bulwarks as
they crashed down. We first tried the
pumps. The brig was leaking, but not to
alarm. believe we could have rugged up
jury masts and got some sort OF sail on the
craft, but the stinginess Of the owners took
that hope away. There were no spare spars
or sails, or at least nothing to suit ourspur-
pose. We went at it and repaired the bull
warks as well es possible, and then rugged a
signal spar to the stump Of the foremost,
which offered the best hold. When we had
run up signal of distress there was nothing
more for US to do but wait until help should
arrive. We were, as every one must know,
of the Brazilian banks, much frequented by
whalers. There was O good bit of coastlng
trade as well, and we wondered greatly that
some craft or other had not already fallen in
with US When we had rigged our signal our
strange voyage may be said TO have begun
> fl~o& oil ol +bo
cabin stores as long as they lasted, and two of
the men occupied the stateroonls of the mates
without objection While we were q free
and easy community in one way, l can say
for the men that sailors never behaved better.
By common consent we flung overheard all
Intoxicating liquors, and no man sought to
take advantage Of my doubtful authority to
issue orders. By night we hung a lantern in
place Of the flag, and we took turn and turn
at keeping the deck. There was nothing
whatever else to do, as the weather continued
fair and the men slept all tho night and
good share of the day. l will now give some
extracts from the diary kept and have ever
since preserved:
Sixth Day-Not a sail has been sighted
since our accident. All we'll From the set
of the wind and currents | am certain we
have drifted long way to the east-out into
mid ocean We start the pumps twice
day"
Eleventh Day-We have been drifting to
the northeast for the lest three days No
sign OF sail yet. Pebbles, able seaman, is
quite i'll y
Fourteenth Day--Pebhles died yesterday
1t was great shock to US, as no one thought
him seriously i'll. Ee went OF very quietly,
and his death makes all uneasy. We are now
drifting to the west, toward the coast"
Eighteenth Day--Ransom, able seaman,
died last night. he had been helping him
self to the contents Of the medicine chest,
and it is believed he poisoned himself. We
are only three now, and Waters is broken
down. We are drifting down the coast, as I
make out"
"Twenty-first Day-Waters and the stew
ard were both missing this morning. l have
hunted the brig from end to end, and as they
cannot be found | believe they ended it by
going overheard during the night. The boy
weeps all the time, and refuses to hope for
rescue. l thought / saw a sail early this
morning, but was not sure. It is only by the
greatest effort can keep my spirits We are
drifting seaward"
''rwenty-seventh Day-I have been all
alone for three days, the boy having gone
overheard There are times when want to
follow him. l made out distant sail yes
terday. But for that should have ended it
last night. l would give my right arm TO
hear the sound of human voice. We are
drifting tothe east very fast"
Thirty first Day-Rescued this morning
by the whaler Lucy and Jane of the United
States after q drift Of q full month, during
which time, os computed by the captain of
the whaler, the hulk has drifted 1900 miles
Only one sail sighted in the whole tiIne."-
New York Sun.