The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-12
Chasing the Dead.

At II o'clock in the forenoon the breeze died
quite away and left the big ship laziy rising
and falling on the ground swell OF the South At
lantic. At noon the Captain and mate took their
observations. and half an hour later 1t was writ
ton on the log that our position was 400 miles
southwest OF Tristan do Cunha Island. Be-
tween IL and II man aloft reported what he
believed to be q small boat under sail to the
northeast. When tho glass was sent up to
him he made her out to be a ships quarter
boat with sail set and heading down for u.s.
Although there was not wind enough to move
us. the little fabric was showed along slowly.
and soon after the men had eaten their din.
ners the craft was in sight from the deck.
A ships boat at sea means that disaster has
happened. and sympathy is at once aroused.
The cook WAS ordered to have an extra dinner
ready. the steward received a hottie Of wine to
DO served out If necessary. and some Of the
men went into the deckhouse to overhaul their
chests and bags and see what they could spare
to stand still Before this it had been made
out that she carried only one person. or ut
aid Of tho glass it could be seen that he was
a coal black negro; He sat in the stern sheeta
snd hs owsrd he
when his boat seemed to drift, 1t was this
cast away. and hough he might have plenty Of
food and water he would nevertheless exhibit
some signs OF Joy at being picked up on the
When an hour had passed away the surface
with catsnaws. These nufrs made lanes sand and
curious figures. and though not strong enough
to flap ono OF our, Jibs they caught the quarter
boat and moved her all around the compass.
The man in the stern s eets let her go as she
would though We fired a gun. waved n flag.
and raised a shout to attract his attention. ~
and by. when 1t was seen that the calm would
wear out the sun and that the strange craft
would come no nearer, the order was given
to lower away q boat and pick him up.
mate in command. ana on getting away headed
the distance when the stranger got n catspaw
and ran away at lively pace for half a mile.
cables length Of her. when another pun struck
bows OF our snip: I've could plainly max . out
the face and figure OF the negro. He was bare
footed and bareheaded. and his clothing con-
sisted OF a red wool shirt and u pair OF dun
Earee trousers He sat as stiff as n, soldier.
never turning his head to tho right or left and
though tho mate stood up and shouted at him
mot w1 @ sst bo0
which had lost her, way again. when pun
from the south whirled her about and sent her
We back water to get out OF her course. and
ms she camo rast one Of tho men, dropped his
he held Ter thus til the len mate stepped into her
and started aft. but he had not taken three
steps when he stopped. throw up his hands.
and exclaimed:
Why. men. IT'S, dead man we've been
dead as marnspiko for the last week !"
The mans eyes were wide OPEN his Jaw
down. and it was his clutch on tho yoke lines
whick held tho body erect. There was no
food. no water. not even nm oar or baler
initin.s. "B ". s." There was nothing TO tel
us where it had been launched or how long It
had been aiioat: whether the de4d man was
the last of n crew. or had suffered hunger and
thirst alone. We showed his boat away and
rowed back to the shin. and IN hour later he
il whether We gave tho body to tho hugo
sharks cruising about. or lot 1t continue to
steer its collin over tho wide waste II some
bowling gale prepared Gravo at the bottom
has