Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-11-20

~, 'sI would like to have you leave
me for a few minutes The officer
said, "Why do you wish, this, Will
lamp ssI wish to say my prayers"
answered the poor boy. With sad
countenances they stepped outsid re
| turning in ten minutes. Alas! the
delirium had returned, the fatal hic
coughs denoting the presence of the
ssblack vomit'' had seized the wasted
form, and in half an hour the struggle
was over. The poor lad was dead.
At sunset the little group gathered
with saddened countenances and dim
eyes in the gangway, where slender
form, with weights at the feet, lay
rigidly upon plank, with the union
jack spread over it. One end of the
plank was upon the sill Of port,
while the other was supported by
resting board. The courses were
hauled up, and the main topsail lay
ssaoack." With voice choked with
emotion, the aged captain read the
burial service, two men at the proper
moment raised the ends Of the plank,
the union jack was removed, and the
remains slid slowly into the sea, rested
a moment upon the surface of the
water, and then sank cut of sight
s'until the sea shall give up it's dead"
The sails were slowly filed, and the
ship proceeded upon her way, YEARLY
beating up along the coast of Cuba,
towards the Windward Passage. AS
darkness closed upon the scene, the
commander said quietly to the weary
first officer, 'sMr. Jones has the yellow
fever"
The captain and his mate stood al
ternate watches, looking out for their
sick mess mate and the ship. Prompt
attention and good nursing saved his
life, but before he could drag his vast
ed form on deck two more of the crew
were stricken down. The colored
cook was invaluable. How and when
he slept no one knew. With his short
pipe in his mouth he seemed to be al
ways ready to help, and was the most
cheerful man in the ship. The old
y
and worked his ship with such men
as were able for duty, neglecting
nothing.
One after another was taken down,
while the convalescent ones helped as
they could. No one died, but all had
the fever, except the colored man.
He alone of the crew escaped. On
the seventeenth day out from port,
the captain quietly called the young
first mate, and said to him, "Mr.
Brown, l have the fever. I have had
t twice before, and escaped. This
lime it will kill me. My advanced
years and the fatigues that I have
predispose me to the at
Jack. You will take charge of the
ship, carry her to Boston, and report
20 the owners" The young man was
1T first stunned, but, recovering with
he elascity of youth, and at once ac-
,epting the grave cares thus suddenly
hurst upon him, he assisted the old
nan below, administered the usual
reatment, and saw his patient care
ully disposed. Calling the cook to
tay by the captain, he went on deck
o take a survey of the situation and
ecide what to do.
Night was coming on. To wind
yard, close aboard, was Crooked Is
and, ahead and to leeward were
.ong Island, Rum Cay, and Watling's
sland. The region was one Of rapid
nd uncertain currents, strong breezes,
nd many shipwrecks. Under the
1ost favorable circumstance, with a
ali crew and strong and able ship,
be coming night must be an anxious ]
ne.
Mr.. Brown was young but valiant,
nd he had been trained, under stern /
lasters, in school where no duty i
'as ever evaded. He mustered his
Unfinished forces,-the second mate i
nd three men. He told them of the 9
ckness of the captain, and of the t
angers with which they were sur Q
ounded. Sail must be carried in or
er to weather the leeward dangers Y
fter gaining the open sea, the imme i
late anxiety would be relieved, but n
n the present sail must be borne by s
lie ship at all hazards. So every q
ing was tautened as we'll as posi- c
e, the yards were braced sharp up d
1 the starboard tack, and, rounding n
e north end of Crooked Island, the II
an at the wheel steered close to the
ind while the officers took their
atches by the side of the now deli a
BUS captain.
1t was a trying and anxious time. a
le trades blew fresh with fierce
IL L., Il III