Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-09-25

lau VINO c0uld look inc WorsV IN ,'ne ldCe
and help to meet it. We were not to say
anything to the rest until next day. AS
there was no wind to move us, and as
everybody was badly used up, 1T was de-
cided that we lay to as we were for tho
night. 1t had come nine O'Clock or
later and some Of the men were asleep,
when the boatswain went forward and
stood on the thwart with his arms around
the mast to steady himself. l think he
was looking about tc see if he could find
anything of the other boats. Just how
it happened no one could tell, though
three of us had our eyes on him when he
suddenly pitched overheard. We were
still pitching briskly about, and perhaps
it was a sharp dive of the boat which
sent him to his death. If he rose to the
surface he did not call out. He simply
went right out of sight and never even
called out as he was going.
Little or nothing was said that night
as to who should command the boat, but
morning had hardly dawned when there
was row about it. Being lad not get
out of my apprenticeship, l was of course
out of the question, but each of the three
other sailors was determined to act as
captain. From words they came to
blows, and another horror fell upon us.
The three young men were drawn into
the quarrel, anil the six had savage
fight with such weapons as could be laid
hold of. 1t was dcsd calm, with the
sea quieted down, and couple Of great
sharks were lying of our port quarter.
No one had seen them, nor did any one
see them until two of the young men
were knocked overheard. 1t wasn't ten
seconds before both were seized and
drawn under. The horrible climax to
the row cooled the men off at once.
One of the sailors had been stabbed in
the back, another badly hurt about the
head, and the third young Erglishman
had his right arm broken. Nor was this
the full extent of the calamity. In their
fight they had knocked the water kegs
about, and lost us nearly all their con-
tents, and a cool share of our bread had
been ground up under their shoes.
The sailor who had been stabbed took
command Of thc boat, aad when things
had settled down breakfast was served
out. We had not to exceed two gallons
of water and a dozen biscuit, and the day
was hot and without a breath OF air
stirring. The water ought to have been
doled out drop by drop; bus no sooner
was it seen what a small quantity was
left than Davidson, the one in command,
declared that each should have his share
on the spot. Their injuries had made
the men terribly thirsty, but the water
was fairly divided and each one drank
his portion. After that the sailors lay
down and went to sleep, and the young
Englishmau, whose name was Hearne,
came over to us and we tried to do some
thing for his arm. You can guess that
it was little we could do, however, and
he was soon suffering terrible pain.
The aunt now heard called Mrs.
Morton, while the grown girl was ad-
dressed by her maiden name, Edith.
Before noon the aunt took very sick, aud
we were terrified at our helplessness.
She was soon in high fever and raving,
and we hadn't even a drop OF water to
give her. Hearnc was also mad from
thirst, and feeling that the sailors had
brought destruction upon us all he would
have killed the three while they slept
had not restrained him.
Davidson was the first to wake up.
His wound had begun to indame aud his
throat was dry, and he held the water
kegs up in hope to find last drop.
They we're as dry as bones aud he uttered
deep curses as be threw them overheard
at the dorsal fms of sharks circling around
US. When night came it was still calm.
The aunt was still raving anl sick unto
death. while Hearne had crawled into the
bow of the boat to suffer alone and in 81
lence. The sailors had sat up, cursed
their luck and lain down again, aud l
had gone among them and taken all their
knives and concealed them in the stern
sheets.
About Q o'clock the aunt sunk into a
stupor, and all OF US slept for somo tlme'
We were finally awakened by Davidson
getting up aud hoarsely calling for water.
In his torment he caught sight Of Hearno
in the bows, and he rushed forward and
seized him. ran to pull him OIL, but
before | could reach him both had gone
overheard. They went down grappled
together, and though stood with the
boat-hook ready l never caught sight OF
them again. The two other sailors sat
Nd, asked me what had happened, AMI
then fell back aud slurlbercd as soundly
as before.
Morning came to find the aunt dead,
aud, fearful of what would happen when
the sailors awoke, prevailed upon the
girl to let me lift toe body over the rail.
She protested at first, but when l told
her my reasons she turned away aud
committed the body to the deep. 1t was
sunrise when the sailors awoke. With