San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-01


lay for some days, during which the heat was
intense, when, all unannounced, there burst
over the city and the shipping one of those
terrible outbreaks of yellow fever so common
there The disease spread with fearful rapid
ny, and soon our ship was one among the
crowd lying at the quarantine anchorage and
dying the hateful yellow flag
II was terrible to lie day after day on the
CLASSY sen and watch the doomed city through
the haze and the ships nearer at hand. Con
stantly the yellow flags were futtering down
to half mast, as a signal to the shore boats
to come of and take away the bodies for
interment. All our crew had deserted at the
first, with the exception of the captain, the
carpenter, u tall, thin Scotchman from the
Clyde, and black cook named Jacob These,
with myself, formed the whole ships COM
pany. Suddenly the captain was struck
| down. and by influence we managed to get
him taken of to one Of the hospitals ashore
Next day Chips-aS they always call the car
penter at sea-was laid low Jacob came
and told me Chips was in his bunk very bad,
| 50 | went on the main deck and visited him
found him raving in fever. We flew the
signal for the doctor. After while he came
| OIL, said it was a bad case, prescribed, gave
directions as to medicine and disinfectants,
|
watching poor Chips. On the evening
! Of the next day | was pacing the
! poop, utterly weary and sick at heart.
The red hot sun went down at last, and
| the stars came out The night was brill
| iantly calm and still. The lights on the es-
| planade of Rio began TO twinkle out into the
darkness. Far above them on the overhang-
ing terraces, clusters of ight-marking the
position of countless viliaS-hung on the
blGcknesS of the steep background like dia-
mOndS set i'll jet. The dim outlines of the
huge mountains which rise behind the harbor
iooGca through the darkness in the faint star
light. The COrcOvada and the Gavea could
be seen lead and shoulders above the rest
Towards the open sea the black form of the
Pao de ASSaeur, which guards the entrance
of the harbor, stood like a solemn sentinel.
Near it could be deserted the glimmering of
the lighthouses, far away at tho heads. |
paced Tho deck trying to fight against feel
ing Of utter lassitude and depression. had
q terrible headache, a taste like blood in nv
mouth, and felt aching and feverish all over.
Presently the black cook Jacob came on to
the quarterback, and touching his cap, said: |
Please, SIR, won't you come down and have |
some tea' 1t has been ready for half an hour.
Thanks, Jacob, but how is Chips!"
His black face became grave q: once as he
replied Please, sir he died nearly two
hours ago, but | did not like to disturb you,
so laid him straight and still, tied hand
kerchief round his poor thin face, and came
away softly and shut the door" Here the
poor fellows voice broke into a sob.
Make the flag half mast, Jacob"
No good now, sir, they won't come off till
daylight"
"Oh yes, you are right; | forgot it was
dark"
But come and have something to eat, sir"
persisted the faithful fellow; you must be
ready to drop"
"Au right, Jacob / will, " answered, and
then, as turned to go, said: Jacob come
aft and have your tea in the saloon. To
night, We may as well keep each others
spirits up"
Thank you, sir" he said, and disappeared
After little while, | went down into the
saloon, and had the circumstances been diff
ferent, would have roared with laughter at
the scene which met my eyes. Jacob had
undergone quite transformation, and how
he managed it in the time, was at a loss 10
guess lie was rugged out in his best suit,
and in all the glory Of dress shirt of star
ting whiteneSs, decorated with diamond
studs.
He had not seated himself until arrived.
and stood contemplating himself and his sur
rOundings in the mirror over the sideboard!
his ebony countenance shining with ineffable
satisfaction. All through the meal his look
Of self satisfied Importance amused me great
ly; but when tea was over the old feeling of
depression. returned with renewed force.
King Death reigned over the ship, and the
maJeJty and terror of his presence were all
around.
Come into my cabin, Jacob" said l,
when you have cleared up, and we will have
a smoke together"
He agreed cheerfuIly, and left the saloon.
My cabin was under the break of the poop,
and had window looking right on the main
deck, as well as the usual seward port hole
Before lighting my lamp looked out at the
quiet ship. The full tropical moon had risen
while we were at our meal, and filled the deck {
and the rigging with her white radiance.
About ten yards from the window stood the {
deck house. where the dead man was lying,
and the moonlight glittered on its window
and the brasswork of the door While |
looked, | wondered: "Shall die, too, during
this awful visitation?" Then thought will :
Just write directions as to what is to be done {
with my clothes and letters, now while can.
sat down at a small table at the other
side of the cabin, kindled the little brass
swing lamp, and began to write. | had t
hardly begun when Jacob knocked at the +
ioor and when | called advanced into the :
com pipe in hand. Asking him to sit down, Q
told him | would finish writing soon He
vent over, and, sitting at the open window,
began to smoke. The night was SO utterly