The Dickinson press., 1892-01-02
Men's wits must worK adick1y. tow.

OF, and our noble second mate was the
one to grasp the situation.
As We were swept away from the
dismantled hulk. the courageous Off
Ger caught u turn with the boats
painter around floating spar, maxi
ing it fast about amidships OF the long
stick, and as the wind bore us along,
that action had the tendency to bring
our boats head up to the sea, the
piece of timber acting as "drag."
There we lay, tossing and pitching
about until daylight.
AS the sun arose, the gale began to
moderate, and can remember how
we looked at each other in the grey
light OF early morning to see who had
survived the terrors OF the night. The
captain, second mate, five seamen,
and myself were all that were left of
the crew OF the Panther. Thus was
ushered in our New Year!
1t was fortunate that we were in
warm ATTITUDES, else our sufferings
would have been greatly intensified.
For several hours we sat speechless,
and our skipper was the first to break
the mournful silence.
"Thank God, some are saved"
A fervent "Amen" trembled on the
lips OF the hardy mariners.
With the weakening of the
gale the sea began to sub
side, but now it was confused-
that is irregular-and it became nee.
essary to ply oars in order to meet
head on, the occasional heavy roll
lers. By the time the sun had reach
| 4
calm, and we commenced, to look
about for something to eat and drink.
We had recovered somewhat from the
stupor OF despair into which we had
been thrown, and Nature, asserting
herself camoured loudly for her
rights.
But, alas; there was not a crumb of
bread nor drop OF fresh water in the
boat!
"Oh, we'll be picked up by some
homeward- bounder," exclaimed the
stout-heartcd second mate when this
appalling discovery was made. "And
they do say that u man can live
fourteen days without meat and
drink know passed three oncemy-
self, and when | was rescued 10y lit.
tie Geordy brig in the chops OF the
English Channel, and got hold of a
panniiin OF fresh water, felt as good
as though had Just turned out from
a watch below. So don't get down
hearted, my lads. Let's turn to and
rig some sail, for it II only use up our
strength too quick to keep at the oars
all the time"
You may thank that the officer was
| Ao1 ,1 hi,,e,o1f t0
make this suggestion when thecaptain
was alive and with us, but i'll such
strait as we then We're rank is lost
sight Of and the man OF the strongest
mind and most courage assumes the
leadership. which is willingly conceded
to him by his companions in distress.
Fortunately an old tarpaulin-
which is Il square piece OF canvas used
to cover over the matches OF Il vessel
had been left slowed away under the
sternsheets OF the boat. This was
lashed to an oar by strips torn from
itself, and the whole made fast to an
other ashun blade which was secured
upright as IL mast, and we soon found
ourselves slipping along through the
water at quite reasonable rate OF
speed.
AS the day wore away, our hunger
and thirst increased, but our sulferings
from the latter were by far the great
est. When evening approached and
the atmosphere began to cool, we felt
little more comfortable
"Take OFF some of your clothing,
boys" said the second mate, wiring
the garments out in salt water, and
put them on again. The body will
absorb some OF themoisture, and help
us to pass throughout the heat of to-
morrow with less suffering.
We followed his advice, and felt con-
siderably refreshed. You see that is
what mi ght he called drinking water
through the pores OF ones own flesh.
the next day was terrible! Not a
single sail dotted the surface of the
ocean within the range of our vision.
Our mouths became parched and dry,
and can member how the roots
of my tongue were swollen,
until it seemed as if my throat was
about to close up.
When darkness came on, we again
saturated our garments with seq wa
ter, as it would not have done to have
attempted it when the fierce sun was
burning down upon us, for it would
have intensified the fever which had
now seized upon every one OF lis.
| Another morning broke, and truly
we were Il miserable set OF beings.
"WHtcr. water" moaned one OF the
men,
"Watcu." gasped another.
| "I must drink" ml,rmurcd the
captain his voice so husky that he
could hardly articulate he words
81 must drink, thought it is OF the
bitter brine on which we are drifting"
"Dunt. captain" exclaimed the
faithiui second mate; "don't, if you
want to see your home and loved
ones. Don't, it will only increase the
agony"
"It cannot ne worse than it isnow,"
muttered the skipper, wilful in his
from his head, dipped it full of sea-
water, placed it to his lips, and drank
long and deeply.
remembered feebly reaching forth
my hands for some also, but the Of
ticer dashed the imrproviscd vessel to
the bottom OF the boat, while he said,
firmly:
"No, boy, skipper may do as he
pleases, but you shallnot die till your
time comes.'
thought it terribly cruel OF him,
but lacked strength or power to even
demonstrate. Soon wenoticed great
change come over thecaptain. He sat
upon a thwart, moaning and mumbl-
ing incoherently. Suddenly he sprang
to his feet and began to sing Il rollick-
ing sea song, then burst into a flood
of tears, and falling on his knees,
commenced 10 pray. But even as the
, 'pious and fervent words issued from
, his lips, terrible oaths were mingled
with them. The master was raving
maniac.
All at once, without the slightest
, warning, the captain seized the man
, who was nearest to him about the
, throat and essayed to strangle him.
! But, here. again, the second mate in