New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1892-07-20

port for the purpose ofstopping leak
that had given us trouble ever since
collision with a small schooner on
our first day out. The old hulk was
ready for kindling wood, anyhow, one
OF those ancient affairs more resemb-
ling q frame shanty ahoat than a
steamship. But then the Belle sailed
in days before phrases like ocean
greyhound" and triple expansion en-
gineso had gained currency.
The very first human being we sight
ed on shore was Pierre, jumping and
capering about with wild delight as
we approached 1t occasioned great
amusement among the passengers
gathered on the fore part OF the deck.
to see that grotesque and tattered
figure racing up and down the pier,
waving a red bandana and shouting
unintelligible greetings.
The captain looked at him critical
ly, and said:
Some poor devil of a sailor-:a de-
serter, perhaps, who wants to come
on board. He can come,'' he added,
grllnly. '"The more people we have
on board the more success we'll have
keeping the Atlantic Ocean outside
the cargo.
We resumed our journey toward
Australia with the gap in the hull
closed, and for two days met with no
accident. But at the end Of that time
all hands We're again at the pumps.
The crew, which was small and in eff
Gent, was unable to cope with the
steadily gaining depth in the hold,
and every passenger, whether in the
cabin or in the steerage, was called
upon to volunteer, which he cheerfully
did, spending some observations, how
ever, upon the utter cussableness of a
pumping engine that could not be
made to pump.
On the same watch with me was
Pierre, the newcomer. What his last
name was never learned. II he told
the captain that worthy made mem
tion OF it to no one. After he had
been safely installed aboard the ebul-
lition OF delight we had witnessed in
him on the first day totally disap-
peared and he became nlorose and UNI
communicative, thinking perhaps Of
the punishment that would be his
when we got to our destination.
All that could be gotten from him
was that he had left his ship. gone in
to the interior and returned, out of
money and nearly starving. At the
pumps he fatty refused to talk
One day the propeller ceased work
ing, and we came to halt in mid
ocean. The boiler had sprung a leak.
Soon the whole ship was discussing the
aggravating situation. The boiler
would have to be emptied and then
allowed to cool before it could be
mended-Jhe whole process to CON
sumo several days, perhaps, before
we could again be under steam. In
the meantime we must hope for fair
weather, for, although our port was
but day distant at ordinary speed,
we could not make it in the present
condition of the ship, Withot steam,
inside OF a week
But fair weather, which had been
one Of the amenities of our voy age
thus far, now showed signs of desert
ing US. Clouds were gathering, the
water was getting black and under the
force of the rising wind the waves had
begun an angry chopping. The cap
tain looked at these Things and then
went below to consult with THE OF
fcers.
When it was over they were very
grave, these hardened seafarers. The
captain went into the sailors, quart
ers, and the rest looked after him and
shook their heads
ut is certain DEATH said one.
"Ofcourse, said another Why,
the air in there is enough to cook a.
man to shreds.' a8
4 11'Whoever volunteers to do it is a
fool.o
COR a hero!''
an hour or so would be raging wildly,
according to the predictions Of the
old salts among us, of whom even the
hardest expressed the wish that the
boiler had retained a sound she'll.
Still specializing as to the meaning of
the words spoken by the officers, [
was called away to my watch at.
the pumps. TO my surprise it was
not Pierre who grasped the handle Of
the pump with me, but one OF the
Bellies regular sailors. Once or twice
I was on the point of venturing a
question, for / had been impressed
with the man, but withheld.
At the end OF an hour went on
deck Meeting the captain, said:
will there be any danger?''
Il think not,O replied he cheerily.
eve will be inharbor before thes storm
arrives
/ hastened to express my surprise,
Il thought the boiler was too badly
disabled. =
So it was. he replied Abnt we are
in hopes Of having the id thing re-
paired Come along; Ill show you
what's being done. q
i followed him to q small bridge