Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-10-22

reefed top-sails for ten days-I'll tell
you the particulars some time, it
would take me too long now-and
finally. when the wind veered round
and We were congratulating ourselves
that we had a free wind we shipped
two green seas, one right after the
other. They smashed the matches off,
broke most Of the water casks, spoiled
the bulk of our provisions, and broke
us up generally. We were immediate
ly put on short rations, our allowance
of fresh water being limited to one
quart day per man which was to be
used for both cooking and drinking.
Well, to hasten on with the story, we
reached Queenstown after several
months, more dead than alive, al
though we succeeded in speaking
several vessels, from which we got
some provisions. When we reached
the harbor the Captain went ashore
and sent aboard everything he could
find in the way of grub, and for four
days you can just bet we lived on the
fat of the land. We then weighed
anchor for Liverpool, with fair wind
that sent us blowing along on our
course. The Captain had been drink
ing pretty hard, but we thought moth.
ing of it until just about eight bells,
at which time we were nearly of
Barleycotton lighthouse, the bright
light being plainly visible about four
points off our bow. Suddenly the old
man appeared on deck in his pants
and shirt and with an oath, pointed
to the light, demanded to know what
kind of lookout we had been keep,
ing, swore we were going on the rocks
and ordered the helmsman to put the
wheel down, following with number
of other orders, which were executed.
The chief mate heard the noise, and,
coming on deck, took in the'situation
at a glance. The old man was crazy
drunk, having consumed in four days,
II pint bottles of brandy, besides
what he had drank on shore. The
mate came forward, told us we would
have to overpower the old man, and
then went aft with the crew at his
back. The old man was too quick
for us, however. He saw us coming,
and, divining out intentions, went
aloft like a flash, and climbed about
the rigging like monkey, with the
men after him, finally disappearing
in the cabin, whence he appeared a
moment later with a revolver in each
hand. Well, sir, that deck was
cleared in jiffy of all except the
Captain and the man at the wheel,
who could not escape. The old man
drew a bead Oh him, and swearing
like a marine, ordered him to first
put the wheel down and then up, and
there the poor devil worked for the
whole time, scored of his life, twisting
the wheel first one way and then the
other. The wind was fortunately
light and no damage was done. The
old man kept yelling meanwhile for
the sails to be shifted, but no one
would appear on deck. At last we
began to grow desperate, fearing a
sudden change of wind and every sail
set, and council of war was held.
1t was decided the old man must be
overpowered, and upon drawing lots
the ships carpenter was chosen for
the job. He crawled-out of the fore
castle, through the hawse-hole, and
then by the aid Of the tacks which
were hanging along the side wo rked
himself up to the cabin, climbed un-
observed over the bulwark, crept be-
hind the Captain, jumped on him,
and threw him to the deck, where he
lay till we had him fast. We then
bound him hand and foot, put him to
bed, and set a man to watch him. BY
the second day, however, when the
pilot came aboard, the old man was
able to take command, and after
several more mishaps we reached
Liverpool in safety"
The old salts station was called
out here, he got off, and the club pass
ed the rest of the trip in the meshes
of political argument.-New York
Sun.